Moissanite
Appearance: Moissanite is a lab-created gemstone that resembles diamonds, typically appearing colorless or near-colorless with excellent brilliance and fire. It often exhibits colorful flashes of light and may show hints of yellow or green under certain lighting conditions.
Birthstone by Month & Zodiac: Some people associate it with the month of April, which is traditionally linked to diamonds.
What is Moissanite: Moissanite is created through a process known as chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or by using the high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) method. In CVD, silicon carbide is vaporized and then crystallized on a substrate, while in the HPHT method, carbon is subjected to extreme heat and pressure to form crystals. Both methods result in lab-grown moissanite that closely mimics the properties of natural diamonds.
Origin: Moissanite was originally discovered in 1893 by French chemist Henri Moissan in a meteorite crater in Arizona. It was initially thought to be diamond but was later identified as silicon carbide. Natural moissanite is extremely rare, which led to the development of lab-grown versions that closely replicate its properties.
Mohs Hardness: 9.25 - 10