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Have you ever wondered if moissanite is a marketing scam? What is moissanite exactly, and why do you keep hearing about it? Moissanite has been on the market since the 1990s and has seen an increase in popularity, becoming a stunning selection for those who choose a sustainable alternative to natural, earth-mined diamonds.
This blog post will cover the topic, Is Moissanite a Marketing Scam? Uncover fascinating facts about moissanite, detailing what makes it unique and why you should choose moissanite as your next bespoke creation and custom jewelry purchase.
Addressing the Origin of the Question
This question of whether moissanite is a marketing scam originates from moissanite being marketed as a “diamond alternative.” However, moissanite is a completely different gemstone with its own unique chemical properties and optical characteristics. Is this marketing tactic deceptive or misleading? Is moissanite worth investment instead of just choosing a natural diamond, colored stone, or other diamond simulant.
Popularity of Moissanite
Moissanite has seen an uptick in engagement rings, hip hop rings, and other fine jewelry due to its exceptional versatility (available in different carat, shapes, and sizes), brilliance, fire, and durability, making it more than just beautiful--but also worthy of investing as a diamond alternative.
The Science and History Behind Moissanite
Synthetic moissanite is made of silicon carbide (SiC), which has a carbon atom surrounded by four silicon atoms in a tetrahedral form. The laboratory process of creating synthetic moissanite involves subjecting SiC to controlled pressure and heat, and takes between 2-3 months to produce a single gemstone worthy of cutting and jewelry design. For more in-depth information, please see our blog, How is Moissanite Created?
Moissanite's Discovery and Development
Dr. Henri Moissan, a Nobel Prize-winning chemist, discovered natural moissanite back in 1893, which is where the gemstone gets its name (after the scientist himself!).
Natural moissanite is incredibly rare, found only in small quantities within kimberlites, lamproites, and meteorites. Because of its rarity, scientists developed a method to replicate the stunning beauty of natural moissanite in a lab, mimicking its intriguing optical properties and making it accessible to those who love this rare gem. This process originated from Charles & Colvard, who started producing lab-grown moissanite in the 1990s.
The Process of Creating Lab-Grown Moissanite
The Lely process produces silicon carbide crystals, which is a combination of high-purity silicon with carbon heated in a controlled atmosphere. (laboratory). The Lely process of creating moissanite crystals imitates natural conditions in which natural moissanite is formed. The silicon carbide powder is heated carefully over time, allowing the moissanite crystals to grow in size over several months.
Moissanite crystals are cut and faceted into various shapes and sizes, ready for setting into fine metals such as platinum or rose, yellow, and white gold. Moissanite is durable, making it suitable for classic and popular settings like prong, bezel, pave, and channel--just like diamonds, diamond simulants, synthetic stones, and natural semi-precious and precious gemstones. This stylistic versatility makes lab-grown moissanite a great choice for various jewelry designs, chains, rings, pendants, bracelets, and so much more.
Moissanite's Properties and Benefits
Moissanite has so many benefits and properties, making it the perfect choice for those who seek an affordable natural diamond alternative. Here are a few to keep in mind:
Hardness:The Mohs scale of hardness is a method to test and rate the hardness of minerals or their “scratch-resistant” tendencies, using a ranking scale of 1-10. Moissanite rates a high 9.25, making it an extremely scratch-resistant mineral. For reference, diamond is famous for its hardness, rating 10/10.
Brilliance & Fire: Moissanite has a high refractive index of 2.65 to 2.69 with a noticeable double refractivity (under 10x magnification) and an adamantine luster, making the moissanite incredibly brilliant with stunning fire. Moissanite exhibits its trademark “disco-ball” or rainbow effect as it glistens in the light. Moissanite is actually the world's most brilliant gemstone because of these attributes.
Affordability: Moissanite is a more affordable option with a similar appearance of diamonds without the price tag associated with high-quality diamonds and their perceived value. Moissanite is typically less expensive per carat than diamonds, with all other quality factors equal. Moissanites mass availability makes it an attractive choice for those who want a diamond look without the investment and higher costs.
Ethical Considerations & Eco-Friendliness: Ethical and sustainable production of moissanite is the driving force behind moissanite's rise in popularity. Since synthetic moissanite is a lab-created gemstone, it doesn't involve destructive mining practices or exploitation of workers, creating strenuous work conditions that may occur during the gemstone and diamond mining process.
Diamond mining may be linked to destructive environmental damage, including soil erosion. Moissanite is produced in a controlled lab environment, reducing the environmental impact significantly, resulting in a conflict-free choice for those who want a sustainable approach to luxury.
Comparing Moissanite to Other Gemstones
The increasing popularity of moissanite suggests that many consumers find it valuable, beautiful, and worthwhile.
Moissanite Comparison to Diamonds
Moissanite is also evaluated according to the 4Cs, a scale developed by the founder of GIA, Robert M Shipley, used to determine a diamond’s value. The 4Cs include cut, color, clarity, and carat.
Moissanite is a more affordable option than diamonds, making it accessible for those who desire a big, bold look without the hefty price tag often associated with diamonds of the same quality and carat weight.
Interested in learning more? Please see our blog, Moissanite vs. Diamond vs. Cubic Zirconia: A Comparison Guide.
Moissanite Compared to Cubic Zirconia
Cubic zirconia is a popular choice for costume jewelry because of its affordability and versatility in any metal setting. Cubic zirconia is set into designs, becoming a glamorous substitute for those who do not wish to invest in fine jewelry.
Cubic zirconia is a softer stone than moissanite, rating 8.25-8.50 on the Mohs hardness scale. This means moissanite is a more durable stone with higher scratch resistance. Also, cubic zirconia is known to abrade, or show wear and tear around the facet junctions after frequent wear.
Interested in learning more? Please see our blog, Shining the Light on Cubic Zirconia vs. Moissanite: Which is the Better Gemstone?
Moissanite Comparison to Other Lab-Grown Gemstones
Lab-grown diamonds are often compared to moissanite. Lab-grown diamonds are a synthetic counterpart of natural earth-mined diamonds. Lab-grown moissanite is the synthetic counterpart of natural moissanite, containing completely different optical and chemical properties.
Older simulants, like YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet), GGG (gadolinium gallium garnet), and Strontium Titanate are less common and not as popular due their inherent weaknesses, such as not hard or durable enough to withstand frequent wear and tear like moissanite and diamonds.
Interested in learning more? Please see our blog, Moissanite vs. Diamond vs. Cubic Zirconia: A Comparison Guide.
Addressing Common Moissanite Myths and Misconceptions
Is moissanite a fake diamond?
No, moissanite is not a fake diamond. Moissanite is a high-quality synthetic stone mimicking natural moissanite. Moissanite has a different chemical makeup than diamond, and is still a genuine gemstone in its own right.
Does moissanite lose its sparkle over time?
No, moissanite does not lose its sparkle over time. Moissanite is a very durable stone, rating 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale (compared to the diamond's rating of 10/10). Highly resistant to scratching and wear and tear, moissanite will maintain its fire and brilliance. Cleaning and maintaining your moissanite will keep it looking pristine and brand new.
Do all moissanite stones look the same?
No, not all moissanite stones look the same. Moissanite varies in carat, color, cut, and clarity. They are available in different shapes, weights, qualities, and settings, making each moissanite a truly unique and one-of-a-kind stone for you and your special purchase.
Is moissanite only suitable for inexpensive jewelry?
No, moissanite is a high-quality man-made diamond simulant with remarkable brilliance, and fire. Its hardness and durability make it the perfect choice for engagement rings, wedding bands, chains, bracelets, pendants, and more.
The Role of Marketing in the Moissanite Industry
Marketing for moissanite is tailored toward consumers seeking a sustainable, eco-friendly solution instead of natural diamonds or precious/semi-precious gemstones sourced from the earth. Moissanite is a high-quality synthetic genuine gemstone created to mimic the real moissanite featuring unique attributes, incredible fire and brilliance, and stunning stylistic versatility (shapes, carat weights, cuts, and quality), making it a great choice for any fine jewelry design.
The Importance of Marketing Any Product
Creating awareness, generating interest, and increasing sales are all important parts of the marketing process.
Touching on key aspects of any item, explaining its benefits, describing its features, and concluding on why the item is the best option helps build brand loyalty.
Targeting an audience who is seeking out the product makes anyone a potential customer. Increasing visibility through strategic marketing campaigns aimed toward a specific niche helps build demand.
Recap of Key Points & FAQ
This blog post covered the topic, Is Moissanite Just a Marketing Scam? Moissanite is a popular diamond alternative with distinctive optical and chemical characteristics. Here are a few FAQ wrapping up the points covered within this article.
Is moissanite considered fake?
Moissanite is the perfect selection for those seeking a sustainable, eco-friendly solution instead of natural diamonds and colored stones that require mining, harsh labor conditions, and sustainable markup on any item set with these stones.
Can a jeweler tell if moissanite is real?
Moissanite delivers show-stopping fire and is considered the most brilliant stone on earth. Moissanite is not a fake stone or a poor-quality substitute for a diamond or other stones–it is a durable sparkling gem grown in a lab.
Is moissanite a waste of money?
Lab-grown moissanite is abundantly available due to its origins. This means choosing the look and size you have always dreamed of–but at a fraction of the price compared to natural diamonds.
Why is moissanite not as popular?
Diamond has always been the classic stone for engagement rings, wedding bands, and other bespoke designs. Moissanite is a newer diamond simulant gaining popularity because of its positive characteristics.
