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Moissanite - an Alternative to Diamonds
Havilah are proud authorised dealers of Charles & Colvard - the original Moissanite as well as Evermore Moissanite - Forever & Endless
Let us design and lovingly handcraft your exquisite Moissanite jewellery piece.
Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite®
"We've been creating moissanite for more than two decades and have spent this time tirelessly refining the way we produce this beautiful, man-made gemstone. We’re dedicated to creating better products and developing better techniques to enhance the stunning brilliance of our moissanite."
Better Made, Better Cut
Moissanite is one of the rarest minerals found in nature, and we've made it our mission to share its beauty and brilliance with the world. Our experts have recreated moissanite in a lab to deliver you an artfully crafted, socially responsible and eternally brilliant gemstone.
Redefining Luxury
Forever One is our premium brand of moissanite, and it's helping create new standards within the fine jewelry industry. Forever One moissanite is a brilliant choice at a fraction of the cost of a comparable diamond.
Better for the World
We prioritize environmental and ethical responsibility in the creation of our moissanite. The beauty and premium quality of our gems, paired with our commitment to our principles, makes Forever One moissanite a superior, sustainable and conflict-free gemstone.
Created with Intention to Defy Expectation
Forever One is the epitome of created moissanite. It’s the outcome of over 20 years of continued innovation, and is available in two color grades: colorless and near-colorless.
The Promise of Forever™
Every Forever One gem comes with a limited lifetime warranty that protects against damage to the stone and any changes in color, clarity or brilliance. Your Forever One gemstone is guaranteed to remain just as beautiful as the day you bought it.
Havilah are proud authorised dealers of Charles and Colvard Moissanite as well as Evermore Moissanite. Let us design and lovingly handcraft your exquisite Moissanite jewellery piece.
*All information in this article taken from Charles & Colvard Official website and Official Evermore Moissanite website.
WHAT IS MOISSANITE?
Moissanite is a rare, naturally occurring mineral also known as silicon carbide, which was first discovered by the Nobel Prize-winning chemist, Dr. Henri Moissan, at the site of a massive meteorite strike in Arizona. This intriguing new stone was named “moissanite” in his honor.
It wasn’t until the late 90s that scientists–working in a research laboratory located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina–developed the innovative thermal growing process that creates silicon carbide crystals. These crystals are fashioned into moissanite gemstones that rival any natural gemstone for fire and brilliance. These man-made gems are more durable than any other popular gemstone such as diamond, sapphire, ruby or emerald.
IS MOISSANITE A BRAND OF DIAMOND OR A SIMULATED DIAMOND?
No. Moissanite is not a substitute for diamond, either scientifically, chemically or emotionally. Charles & Colvard created moissanite is a unique gem with its own set of chemical and optical properties that exhibit more fire and brilliance than any other gemstone.
Moissanite Manufacturing
HOW DOES CHARLES & COLVARD CREATE MOISSANITE?
Charles & Colvard is the original creator of moissanite. The process is lengthy, complicated and expensive, which limits the output—it takes two to three months for the creation of a single gem. Charles & Colvard’s manufacturing process and years of expertise in creating the gemstone currently makes us a leading source and global distributor of created moissanite.
IN CREATING MOISSANITE, WHAT STEPS ARE TAKEN TO ENSURE THE PRODUCT IS OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY?
Years of development have led to a rigorous production process, which follows exact specifications and very high standards of quality control.
Post production, all created moissanite undergoes stringent testing for quality and purity, along with numerous rounds of grading before being released for sale.
The Charles & Colvard Certificate of Authenticity certifies that every gem is authentic Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite® manufactured according to rigorous standards by highly skilled specialists.
IS MOISSANITE AN IDEAL CUT STONE?
Carefully and precisely faceted, each Charles & Colvard created moissanite gemstone is cut according to exact angles and proportions specific to moissanite. When cutting moissanite, precision is critical to maximizing its brilliance and enhancing its incredible fire.
HOW IS MOISSANITE GRADED FOR CLARITY?
Charles & Colvard employs graduate gemologists certified by the Gemological Institute of America. Each Charles & Colvard gem is studied by trained grading specialists using a 10x jeweler’s loupe for any imperfections that may affect it’s optical performance.
Moissanite Characteristics
HOW DOES MOISSANITE COMPARE TO OTHER GEMSTONES ON KEY GEMOLOGICAL PROPERTIES?
Moissanite is comparable to other popular gemstones including diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald on key characteristics such as hardness, fire and brilliance. On the Brilliance Refractive Index, moissanite is more brilliant than any other gemstone, ranging from 2.65-2.69 on the scale. Its fire dispersion is over 4x greater than any other popular gemstone. On the MOHs hardness scale, moissanite comes in second only to a diamond, measuring at 9.25. In addition, moissanite's durability is excellent, meaning it will survive daily wear and tear.
Brilliance
WHAT PROPERTY OF MOISSANITE MAKES IT SPARKLE WITH SUCH EXCEPTIONAL BRILLIANCE?
The most significant optical property affecting a gemstone’s brilliance, or sparkle, is the brilliance refractive index or BRI. The BRI of moissanite ranges from 2.65 to 2.69, meaning it displays more brilliance than diamond (with a BRI of 2.42) or any other popular gemstone.
WILL THE BRILLIANCE OF MOISSANITE EVER FADE?
No. Charles & Colvard provides a Limited Lifetime Warranty which guarantees that every Charles & Colvard created moissanite gemstone will maintain its brilliance and fire forever.
Fire (Dispersion)
WHAT GIVES MOISSANITE ITS FIRE?
A gemstone’s fire is determined by a gemological property called dispersion. Dispersion refers to the prism effect that occurs when pure white light enters a non-opaque object, breaks into spectral (rainbow) colors, and reflects back to the viewer. Moissanite’s dispersion is 0.104, which exceeds that of any gemstone including diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald.
DO OTHER GEMSTONES HAVE MORE FIRE THAN MOISSANITE?
Moissanite's fire exceeds that of any popular gemstone, including diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald. Fire can be measured scientifically; with a dispersion of 0.104, moissanite has 2.4 times the fire of diamond. No other gemstone or jewel compares to Charles and Colvard Created Moissanite® with regard to fire.
WILL A MOISSANITE GEMSTONE EVER LOSE ITS FIRE?
No. Charles & Colvard provides a Limited Lifetime Warranty which guarantees that every Charles & Colvard created moissanite gemstone will maintain its fire and brilliance forever.
Color & Clarity
WILL MOISSANITE FADE OR CHANGE COLOR OVER TIME?
No. There are no likely situations in which the color of moissanite will be permanently changed. Moissanite does undergo a temporary color change when exposed to extreme heat from a jeweler’s torch during jewelry repair, but with proper bench techniques there will be no lasting damage and the stone will return to its normal color once it cools.
IS MOISSANITE GRADED ON THE GIA DIAMOND COLOR GRADING SCALE?
Moissanite grading uses a color grading scale that is based upon the GIA diamond color grading scale. There are three grades of moissanite available today: colorless (D-E-F range), near-colorless (G-H-I range) and with faint hues of color (J-K range).
DOES MOISSANITE HAVE INCLUSIONS?
Yes. Moissanite can have needle-like inclusions that can be seen under 10x magnification. They are not visible to the naked eye and do not affect the clarity of the stone. It’s worth noting that nearly every gem has some sort of inclusion. They are unique to each gemstone and occur in the formation of the crystalline structure.
Hardness (Resistance to Scratching) & Toughness (Resistance to Breaking)
IS MOISSANITE RESISTANT TO SCRATCHING?
Yes. Moissanite is durable, tough and extremely resistant to scratching and abrasion. With a hardness of 9.25-9.50, moissanite is harder than all other gemstones except diamond. Charles & Colvard provides a Limited Lifetime Warranty that protects against damage to the stone.
DOES MOISSANITE BREAK EASILY?
No. Moissanite is one of the toughest known gemstones. Charles & Colvard provides a Limited Lifetime Warranty that protects against damage to the stone.
IS MOISSANITE HEAT RESISTANT?
Yes. Moissanite exhibits more heat resistance than many other gemstones, including diamond. Tests prove that at 2000ºF—higher than the equivalent intensity of a house fire—moissanite gems remain intact and as brilliant as the day they were created. This heat tolerance makes moissanite unlikely to suffer damage during jewelry repair.
Identifying Moissanite
HOW CAN MOISSANITE BE DISTINGUISHED FROM OTHER COLORLESS GEMSTONES?
There are five (5) methods:
1. Determine if doubling of facet junctions is visible through magnification.
2. Use a jeweler’s loupe to examine the girdle of the stone. Forever One™, Moissanite by Charles & Colvard and Forever Brilliant® moissanite stones approximately 4.0mm and larger are engraved on the girdle for easy identification.
3. Examine for needle-like inclusions, typically perpendicular to the table facet, which are visible in moissanite under 10x loupe magnification.
4. Examine for specific refractive and gravity indices.
5. Have a trained gemologist or jeweler use a testing device specifically designed to distinguish moissanite from diamond.
Charles & Colvard Brands of Moissanite
WHAT IS FOREVER ONE™ MOISSANITE?
Forever One is the premium brand of moissanite. These gems fall within the range of internally flawless to very slightly included (IF-VS). Such unparalleled clarity is only available from the silicon carbide material we use to make our gemstones, which is manufactured through a patented process. The color, or lack thereof, of these gems is impeccable. Forever One gems are available in two grades: colorless or near-colorless (DEF-GHI). And, the cuts of these stones are unmatched.
WHAT IS MOISSANITE BY CHARLES & COLVARD AND HOW DOES IT DIFFER FROM FOREVER ONE™ MOISSANITE?
Moissanite by Charles & Colvard is a cut above other moissanite on the market, with the exception of Forever One. Created from the same patented silicon carbide material that offers unparalleled clarity, Moissanite by Charles & Colvard is truly a revolutionary value. The distinction between Forever One and Moissanite by Charles & Colvard is made through our applied expertise throughout the process, and the discerning approach we take to ensure the quality of Forever One remains far above any other offering available today. By closely evaluating clarity and cut, we’re able to determine which stones meet our exemplary standards for Forever One, and those that bear the Moissanite by Charles & Colvard name.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FOREVER ONE ™, FOREVER BRILLIANT® AND FOREVER CLASSIC™
MOISSANITE?
Charles & Colvard Forever One moissanite is a triumph of art, science and sustained effort. The structural configuration of this specific moissanite material is what yields its unsurpassed, colorless (D-E-F) quality. While chemically it is still silicon carbide (SiC), and its optical and hardness properties remain the same, it is the stacking of SiC material in the manufacturing process that makes Forever One moissanite unlike any of its predecessors.
Through its research and development efforts working with Forever One, Charles & Colvard developed a second grade of Forever One, in G-H-I quality. Boasting the same optical properties of our DEF quality moissanite, this near colorless gemstone emits a faint, icy hue compared to its Forever Brilliant predecessor, which yields a warm hue.
Forever Brilliant moissanite falls within the prized, near-colorless G-H-I range. Forever Brilliant was developed through improvements to the crystal growing process from the original brand of Charles& Colvard created moissanite also known as Forever Classic.
Forever Classic offers subtle color shades in the J – K range of the industry color scale, with faint undertones of green, yellow or gray.
*Based on the Gemological Institute of America's diamond grading scale.
WHY IS MOISSANITE SOLD BY MILLIMETER RATHER THAN BY CARAT WEIGHT?
The carat is the traditional unit of measurement for a diamond’s weight. Moissanite is not measured in carats because it weighs approximately 10 percent less than diamond. For example, a 6.5mm round diamond would weigh 1.0ct, while a 6.5mm round moissanite would weigh 0.88ct. The two stones would be the same size – 6.5mm in diameter. All stones for sale are listed with their size in millimeters and the diamond equivalent weight (DEW) in carats.
WILL MOISSANITE RETAIN ITS VALUE OVER TIME?
Due to its rarity and unrivaled beauty, Charles & Colvard created moissanite is expected to retain or increase its value over time.
Moissanite, also known by its chemical name, silicon carbide (SiC), is a naturally occurring mineral found in minimal quantities or as minute particles in the earth. The rarity of natural moissanite crystals large enough for jewellery prohibits their use. For years, scientists tried to re-create this extraordinarily brilliant material. Only recently, through the power of advanced technology, has a way been developed to produce in a laboratory colourless (DEF) Evermore Moissanite.
A unique and beautiful blend of art and science.
FOREVER & ENDLESS
DURABILITY: Gemstones are measured on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, which assesses a gem’s ability to withstand surface scratching. On this scale, Evermore Moissanite scores a 9.25, a very good score that makes it one of the hardest substances on earth, and very suitable for everyday wear as an engagement ring. Evermore Moissanite will test positive for a diamond when testing with a thermal conductivity diamond tester. BRILLIANCE:Evermore Moissanite exhibits a different kind of brilliance than diamonds do, as their faceting pattern is different. The fiery, rainbow flashes emitted by Evermore Moissanites are beloved, especially in sunlight. Evermore Moissanite has a refractive range from 2.65 – 2.69, which is higher than a diamond. COLOUR: Evermore Moissanite is available in 3 colour options; Evermore Radiant DEF, Evermore Brilliance GH and Evermore Classic IJ. PRICE: For the same size from the top view, Evermore Moissanites are dramatically lower in pricing than diamonds of that size.
Evermore Moissanite Limited Lifetime Warranty
Each Evermore Moissanite 5mm and greater is engraved with its own unique serial that is linked to a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
The Limited Lifetime Warranty gives you the insurance against any manufacturing defects.
In the unpleasant event of loss or theft, Evermore Moissanite will blacklist the stone in our database, preventing the new owner from registering the stone.
Moissanite, also known by its chemical name, silicon carbide (SiC), is a naturally occurring mineral found in very limited quantities or as minute particles in the earth. The rarity of natural moissanite crystals large enough for jewellery prohibits their use. For years, scientists tried to re-create this extraordinarily brilliant material. Only recently, through the power of advanced technology, has a way been developed to produce in a laboratory colourless (D-F) Evermore Moissanite is truly a unique and beautiful blend of art and science.
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 Evermore Moissanite jewels are available through the proprietary and patented thermal growth process. The growth process is very involved, technology intense and expensive all factors which prevent mass production of Moissanite.
No. Evermore Moissanite is not a substitute for diamond scientifically, chemically or emotionally. Evermore Moissanite is a unique and colourless 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 women demand.
Evermore Moissanite may initially look like diamond however, they are unique jewels 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; Evermore 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. Evermore 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.
Evermore Moissanite and cubic zirconium (or CZ) are very different from each other. While they both are near-colorless, their similarities are limited to color. Evermore 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, Evermore 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. Evermore Moissanite have mastered the art of advanced technology. These rare jewel-quality crystals are produced in limited quantities and are carefully hand-faceted into Evermore Moissanite jewels once each crystal meets stringent quality controls.
Quite simply, jewellery set with Evermore Moissanite is worn by both men and women all over the world.
However, women especially are attracted to the big, bold look of Evermore Moissanite jewellery with its unrivalled fire and brilliance.
Evermore Moissanite is extremely hard, durable and
resistant to abrasion and chipping, it, like all other gemstones and jewels is not indestructible. Care for your Evermore Moissanite jewellery just as you would other fine jewellery, taking care not to wear rings and bracelets when doing rough work or sports. Evermore Moissanite jewellery can be safely cleaned the same way you would clean other fine jewellery using a jewellery ultrasonic cleaner or commercial
(non-acid based) jewellery cleaner.
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