1. Cut
Moissanite Cut
Every Charles & Colvard created Moissanite jewel is precisely calibrated
and hand cut by a master technician to create maximum brilliance and
to spark the ultimate fire. While Standard Round Brilliant continues
to be the most popular cut for Moissanite, fancy cuts are also available
in limited quantities.
Diamond Cut
The cut of a diamond refers to its proportions. Of the 4C's, the cut
is the aspect most directly influenced by man. The other three
are dictated by nature.
Quite often the cut of a diamond is confused
with its shape. Diamonds are cut into various shapes depending upon
the original form of the uncut diamond, which is referred to as “rough.” Whatever
the shape, a well-cut diamond is better able to reflect light.
A diamond's ability
to reflect light determines its display of fire and brilliance.
Diamonds are usually cut with 58 facets, or separate flat surfaces.
These facets follow a mathematical formula and are placed at precise
angles in relation to each other. This relationship is designed
to maximize the amount of light reflected through the diamond and
to increase its beauty.
2. Color
Moissanite Color
The standard GIA diamond color grading
scale is not designed to rate Moissanite. Unlike diamonds, which
range from colorless to brownish to fancy yellow, Moissanite can
carry undertones across the board from green to yellow to gray. It
is a beautiful brilliant, highly dispersive jewel that stands on
its own, creating a unique jewelry category. Only near-colorless
Moissanite graded as "VG - Very Good" is available for
sale.
• There are no
known situations in which the color of Moissanite has
been permanently changed.
Diamond Color
The best color is no color. Diamonds allow
light to be reflected and dispersed as a rainbow of color. This
light dispersion, or color flash, has no effect on the technical
grading of color. The absolute finest colorless stone carries a
D rating, descending through each letter of the alphabet to Z,
designating a diamond of light yellow, brown, or gray. This body
color may be caused by the presence of trace elements, such as
nitrogen, within the atomic framework of the carbon crystal. These
trace elements are so minute that they are scientifically measured
in parts per million (ppm).
As the body color becomes more intense, the grade for color descends
the scale. These gradations are so minute and precise that discerning
a single grade (even by an expert) under less than ideal laboratory conditions
is extremely difficult. It is always best to compare diamonds graded
by either the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the American
Gem Society (AGS) for accurate color grading. When directly comparing
diamonds for color, most consumers are unable to detect a difference
unless they are at least two or three color grades apart. We recommend
selecting a diamond with a color grade of K or better.
3. Clarity
Moissanite Clarity
Moissanites are not separated into clarity
grades (like diamond) because Charles and Colvard™ has set
strict specifications that each stone must meet before being released
to distributors. Those specifications are comparable to diamonds
which have been graded VS1-VS2 (Very Slightly Included - Minor
inclusions somewhat easy to locate at 10x magnification). Using
a 10x loupe, each individual jewel is examined for inclusions that
may affect the optical performance of the jewel. Only Moissanites
graded as "eye-clean" are available for sale.
Diamond Clarity
Almost all diamonds contain very tiny natural
birthmarks known as inclusions. To determine a diamond's clarity,
an expert views it under 10 power magnification. In addition to
internal inclusions, surface irregularities are referred to as
blemishes. These two categories of imperfections-inclusions (internal)
and blemishes (external)-make up clarity.
The fewer the imperfections, the rarer
and more valuable the diamond. Many inclusions are not discernable
to the naked eye and require magnification to become apparent. A
laboratory-certified clarity rating of SI2 represents the point at
which inclusions are technically not apparent to the average naked
eye.
Contrary to popular belief, higher clarity
does not always mean more beautiful. If the inclusions are not visible
to the naked eye, a higher clarity does not really improve the appearance
of a diamond but rather the rarity and price. A higher clarity is
more desirable and valuable, but knowing that you have selected the
right clarity for the right reasons is most important. We recommend
a clarity of SI2 or better. Clarity is graded
using a very precise and complex method of evaluating the size,
location, and visibility of inclusions.
4. Carat Weight
Moissanite Carat Weight
In order to fit available settings, it is often easier for jewelers to
order Moissanite by millimeter. The specific gravity of Moissanite is
3.21 grams per cubic centimeter, so a 6.5 mm round brilliant Moissanite
jewel is approximately 0.87 carats.
Diamond Carat
Weight
Most people compare carat weight
to size. The larger the diamond the more it weighs.
The weight of a diamond is expressed in carats. The
word carat originated from the carob tree or Ceratonia
siliqua. The tiny seeds of this tree are well known
for their uniformity and consistent weight. Traditionally
diamonds and gemstones were weighed against these seeds
until the system was standardized, and one carat was
fixed at 0.2 grams. One carat is divided into 100 points.
A diamond weighing one quarter of a carat can also
be described as weighing 25 points or 0.25 carats.
Points are generally not used to describe weights over
one carat.
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