For years, scientists tried to re-create this extraordinarily brilliant material. Only recently, through the power of advanced technology, Charles & Colvard developed a way to produce in a laboratory, large gem-quality crystals which can be faceted into near-colorless jewels with incomparable fire and brilliance. Charles & Colvard created Moissanite™ is truly a unique and beautiful blend of art and science.

After extensive research, Dr. Moissan concluded that this material was a new mineral, silicon carbide. In 1905, well-known Tiffany & Co. gem expert and mineralogist, George Kunz suggested the jewel be named moissanite in Dr. Moissan's honor.

Is Moissanite natural or man-made?
Moissanite does occur in nature however, the crystals are tiny and rare. In fact, they are so scarce that enough gem-quality natural moissanite doesn't exist to create a pair of solitaire earrings.

Today, beautiful lab-created moissanite jewels are available through a proprietary and patented thermal growth process exclusively through the house of Charles & Colvard. The growth process is very involved, technology intense and expensive —all factors which prevent mass production of Charles & Colvard created Moissanite™.

Who purchases Moissanite?
Quite simply, jewelry set with Charles & Colvard created Moissanite™ is worn by both men and women all over the world. However, women especially are attracted to the big, bold look of moissanite jewelry with its unrivalled fire and brilliance.

How do I care for my new Moissanite?
While Charles & Colvard created Moissanite™ is extremely hard, durable and resistant to abrasion and chipping, it, like all other gemstones and jewels is not indestructible. Care for your moissanite jewelry just as you would other fine jewelry, taking care not to wear rings and bracelets when doing rough work or sports.

Moissanite jewelry can be safely cleaned the same way your would clean other fine jewelry using a jewelry ultrasonic cleaner or commercial (non-acid based) jewelry cleaner.

Is Moissanite a brand of diamond, synthetic or simulated diamond?
No. Moissanite is not a substitute for diamond scientifically, chemically or emotionally. Charles & Colvard created Moissanite™ is a unique near-colorless jewel (chemical composition: SiC) that stands on its own and has superb fire and brilliance as compared to any other jewel and offers the value, quality and fashion that self-purchasing women demand. Learn more...

How does Moissanite compare to diamond?
Moissanite created by Charles & Colvard™ may initially look like diamond however, moissanite is a unique jewel with different physical, optical and chemical properties than diamond.

While diamond's chemical composition is carbon (C) and has a long association with love and romance; moissanite is the mineralogical name for silicon carbide (SiC) and symbolizes the perfect indulgence or self-purchase reward for a woman celebrating important personal or professional milestones or achievements. Learn more...

Moissanite has superior fire and brilliance as compared to other gemstones and jewels, including diamond. With nearly 2.4 times the fire of diamond, compare for yourself.

How is Moissanite different from a CZ?
Moissanite and cubic zirconium (or CZ) are very different from each other. While they both are near-colorless, their similarities are limited to color. Moissanite has unique chemical, optical and physical properties which easily identifies and separates it from CZ.

Cubic zirconium is widely synthesized by a number of companies, for use as an inexpensive diamond look-alike or simulant. By comparison, moissanite is not a diamond simulant, but rather a unique jewel, unlike any other.

In contrast, naturally occurring quantities of moissanite are so minute and scarce that they are not suitable for use in jewelry. Only one company in the world, Charles & Colvard, has mastered the art of advanced technology and owns patents for creating moissanite crystals for jewelry use. These rare jewel-quality crystals are produced in limited quantities and are carefully hand-faceted into moissanite jewels once each crystal meets stringent quality controls.

Ensuring the quality production of Moissanite.
Each and every Charles & Colvard created Moissanite™ jewel is produced within exact specifications and high quality control methods. Each moissanite jewel is precisely hand-cut by a master gemcutter using unique facet arrangements and angles designed specifically to enhance the jewel’s fire and maximize its brilliance.

The Charles & Colvard Certificate of Authenticity ensures that every moissanite jewel is an original which has been created in controlled laboratory facilities by highly-skilled specialists using the latest technology.

Is Moissanite durable?
The durability of a gemstone is determined by its hardness, or its resistance to scratching and abrasion and its toughness—or resistance to chipping and breaking. Moissanite created by Charles & Colvard™ is extremely resistant to abrasion and is harder than most popular gemstones such as ruby, sapphire, emerald and tanzanite. In fact, moissanite is second only to diamond in hardness.

Moissanite is tough and extremely resistant to breaking and chipping. In fact, you can have peace of mind knowing that moissanite is one of the toughest jewels known to man.

Can Moissanite jewelry withstand repairs and sizing?
Moissanite created by Charles & Colvard™ is a highly stable material and highly resistant to heat. It is durable and tough, extremely resistant to scratching, abrasion, breaking, and chipping. In addition, high heat tolerance makes moissanite less likely to experience heat damage during jewelry repair and common ring sizing.

Can Moissanite jewels be re-set into new jewelry?
Charles & Colvard is the sole global source of moissanite jewels to distributors and manufacturers. These manufacturers design and provide jewelry collections with Charles & Colvard created Moissanite™ to retail jewelers and department stores around the world. If you are interested in re-setting your moissanite jewelry into new settings, this can be accomplished by speaking to a jewelry retailer.

Moissanite has fire than any other.
Moissanite's remarkable dispersion (fire)—its ability to break white light into the spectral (rainbow) colors—is one reason so many women are enchanted by its beauty.

With more fire than any popular gemstone—including diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald—no other gemstone or jewel compares to Charles & Colvard created Moissanite™. In fact, fire can be measured scientifically and with a dispersion of 0.104 moissanite has nearly 2.4 times the fire of diamond.

The more times you see moissanite and the longer you look at it, the more you realize it's a jewel worth owning.


The incredible sparkle of Moissanite.
Moissanite's superior brilliance and luster—its ability to reflect more white light back to the viewer—is another reason women around the world are choosing to own this incredible jewel.

With more brilliance and luster than any popular gemstone—including diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald—no other gemstone or jewel compares to moissanite. In fact, brilliance can be measured scientifically and is directly influenced by a jewel's refractive index. With a refractive index of 2.65-2.69 moissanite has nearly 10% more brilliance than diamond.

These qualities make Moissanite created by Charles & Colvard™ the perfect indulgence and an excellent value.

Moissanite stands the test of time.
Moissanite stands the test of time. Proven to be harder than ruby, sapphire or emerald and second only to diamond, moissanite is also extraordinarily heat resistant, durable and tough. It is extremely resistant to scratching, abrasion, breaking and chipping.

Charles & Colvard created Moissanite™ comes with a Certificate of Authenticity and Limited Warranty guaranteeing you that your moissanite jewel will maintain its brilliance and fire, without fading or changing color.

Moissanite shapes.
Carefully and precisely hand-faceted, each Charles & Colvard created Moissanite™ jewel is cut according to exact angles and proportions designed especially for moissanite to maximize its brilliance and enhance its incredible fire.

While the most popular shape and cut is the traditional round brilliant, a variety of classic and innovative shapes, cuts and sizes are available. Whatever your desire, there is a cut to accentuate the fire and beauty inside, a cut that is sure to bring you compliments.

Moissanites take your breath away.
It should come as no surprise that a jewel as brilliant as Charles & Colvard created Moissanite™ inspires designers to create incredible jewelry. These jewelry artisans have used moissanite's extraordinary visual properties of fire and brilliance coupled with its hardness, toughness and durability to unleash their imaginations and push the boundaries of design.

Their unique creations demonstrate that moissanite may be the only jewel that has as much style, sparkle and cachet as you do.

Keep your Moissanite sparkling.
While Charles & Colvard created Moissanite™ is extremely hard, durable and resistant to abrasion and chipping, it, like all other gemstones, is not indestructible. Care for your moissanite jewelry just as you would other fine jewelry, taking precautions not to wear rings and bracelets when doing rough work with your hands to avoid sharp blows.

Moissanite jewelry can be safely cleaned the same way you would other fine jewelry; for example, in a jewelry ultrasonic cleaner or by using a commercial (non-acid based) jewelry cleaner.