GEMSTONE COMPARISON CHART |
BEAUTY | DURABILITY | SPECIFIC GRAVITY | |||
BRILLIANCE Refractive Index |
FIRE Dispersion |
LUSTER | HARDNESS Mohs |
TOUGHNESS | ||
Moissanite | 2.65-2.69 | 0.104 | 20.4% | 9.25 | excellent | 3.21 |
Diamond | 2.42 | 0.044 | 17.2% | 10.00 | excellent* | 3.52 |
Sapphire | 1.77 | 0.018 | 7.4% | 9.00 | excellent* | 4.00 |
(CZ) Cubic Zirconia | 2.15 | 0.060 | 13.6% | 8.50 | good | 5.80 |
* except good in cleavage direction |
3.0mm round: 0.10 ct tw
3.5mm round: 0.15 ct tw
4.0mm round: 0.25 ct tw
5.0mm round: 0.50 ct tw
5.5mm round: 0.66 ct tw
6.0mm round: 0.75 ct tw
6.5mm round: 1.00 ct tw
7.0mm round: 1.25 ct tw
7.5mm round: 1.50 ct tw
8.0mm round: 2.00 ct tw
8.5mm round: 2.50 ct tw
9.0mm round: 3.00 ct tw
9.5mm round: 3.50 ct tw
10.0mm round: 4.00 ct tw
10.5mm round: 4.50 ct tw
11.0mm round: 5.00 ct tw
12.5mm round: 5.50 ct tw
12.0mm round: 6.00 ct tw
13.0mm round: 8.00 ct tw
14.0mm round: 10.00 ct tw
15.0mm round: 12.00 ct tw
16.0mm round: 15.00 ct tw
Note: For the list of corresponding carat weights to mm sizes for other moissanite stone shapes, please visit our loose moissanite stonespage.
Some of our moissanite competitors claim that they offer the "whitest moissanite" - but this claim is impossible to support without 3rd-party certification. Since no labs will grade moissanite, these claims remain in the realm of marketing! If moissanite grows in popularity, perhaps the gem labs will begin offering certificates.
All Charles & Colvard created moissanite jewels come with the following 'Certificate of Authenticity and Limited Lifetime Warranty' card.
THE FIVE C'S OF MOISSANITE
There are four C’s jewelers use when grading gemstones…and they tell you everything you need to know about moissanite to achieve the fifth C – which is Confidence. The quality and enduring value of moissanite jewelry can be expressed in those 5C’s and every Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite® gem is strictly examined by our experienced Gemological Institute of America Graduate Gemologists.
BRILLIANCE GUARANTEED TO LAST FOREVER
Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite® is a result of rigorous scientific research and development, attention to detail, and adherence to a standard of quality which is unyielding. And it’s a process that is continually evolving; as learning grows and improvements are introduced, the quality and purity of the stones becomes more refined.
This focus on quality extends to the work of dedicated gem cutters, who have developed techniques which highlight the high surface luster and extremely reflective nature of moissanite, increasing its already intense brilliance as they craft finished gems into the popular shapes and sizes needed for the most elegant rings, earrings, pendants, and bracelets. These finished jewels are more durable than any diamond, sapphire, ruby, or emerald, ensuring that moissanite’s beauty will last forever.
1. CUT
Every Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite® is hand-faceted by a master gem cutter to maximize brilliance and spark the ultimate fire. The angles and proportions are precisely calculated to be ideal for the refractive index of moissanite.
2. COLOR
Moissanite is graded as near-colorless, with faint undertones of green to yellow to gray, and a few rare green gems. The premium quality moissanite available is Forever Brilliant®, a Charles & Colvard® brand. Forever Brilliant® is up to four shades whiter, intensifying its brilliance and brightness.
3. CLARITY
Moissanite’s clarity grading is “eye-clean”. Charles & Colvard® creates moissanite using organic elements, mimicking nature in a controlled environment, therefore moissanite gems have tiny, needle-like inclusions that invariably develop during the growing process of moissanite. However, only moissanite gemstones that pass Charles & Colvard’s stringent quality standards are made available for distribution.
4. CARAT SIZE
Moissanite is visually proportionate to typical diamond carat weights but is approximately 10% lighter. Most jewelers find it easier to sell moissanite by size rather than weight. A 6.5mm round brilliant natural diamond would have a carat weight of approximately 1.0 compared to a moissanite of the same dimension (6.5mm) which has a carat weight of approximately 0.88. Simply put, to the eye they appear to be the same size, although the weight of the two stones may be slightly different.
Like other gems, large sizes of moissanite are rare. However, the premium for large sizes is much less, making moissanite a particularly good choice for bold jewelry designs..
5. CONFIDENCE
Known to many as “The World’s Most Brilliant Gem®”, with unsurpassed fire and brilliance, this unique created gemstone is the ultimate in affordable luxury. The exclusively patented process produces a superior created gemstone that is confidently backed by a Charles & Colvard® Limited Lifetime Warranty. This winning combination delivers the quality and confidence you deserve while empowering you to express your keen sense of style and great taste.
The Charles & Colvard® Certificate of Authenticity ensures that your moissanite gemstone is an original of exceptional quality & craftsmanship.
Because it is grown in an American laboratory, Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite® is a responsible alternative to mined gems, providing jobs without damaging the environment.
Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite’s durability means that its beauty and value will endure forever. With this gem’s hardness second only to diamond, it’s extremely resistant to scratching, abrasion, breaking, or chipping. Charles & Colvard® stands behind each moissanite gem with a Limited Lifetime Warranty which assures that its brilliance and fire will never fade.