→ This article will explain what Moissanite is and why you should choose this gorgeous stone ←
What is Moissanite?
Moissanite is a gemstone that was first discovered in 1893 in a meteorite by French scientist Henri Moissan. What he believed at first to be diamonds were actually crystals composed of silicon carbide. While natural moissanite can be found in the earths mantle, they are incredibly rare. The majority of moissanites are lab made and created to mimic diamonds however, they have their own unique composition. The durability, brilliance, and color of a moissanite make it one of the most desirable stones on the market.
Molecular Structure
Moissanites share the same molecular structure as a diamond except for 1 molecule
Diamond Test
A moissanite passes a diamond test!
Durability / Clarity
Moissanite is a 9.25 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, compared to the diamond at 10
Blood Diamonds
One of the biggest appeals of a Moissanite is their non-contribution to the civil wars involving blood diamonds. A blood diamond is one that is mined from countries where violence, worker exploitation, civil wars, human suffering, and environmental degradation are the cost of mining diamonds. For years now, the mining of diamonds has contributed to civil wars in Africa. Thousands of people have died and millions have been displaced due to the violence that has erupted from the conflicts over diamonds. Often times, these mines employ child labor and people in areas of great poverty. These employers are forced to work in unspeakable conditions for little to no pay.
If the ethical dilemma behind blood diamonds wasn’t bad enough, the ecological devastation that comes along with mining diamonds will be. The. Mining in Africa has caused soil erosion, deforestation, and has forced masses of local people to repopulate. Rivers and streams have been re-routed as well as dams reconstructed in order to benefit the industry. The abandoned mines fill with rain water and become a breeding ground for mosquitos, this contributes to the spread of diseases such as malaria and other water borne diseases.
Diamonds are supposed to symbolize love and happiness, unfortunately for many people involved in the mining of the diamonds that just isn’t the case. We can move away from the unethical production of diamonds by buying more manmade stones. Moissanites are equal in hardness, clarity, and shine to a diamond while having little to no environmental impact. By buying a Moissanite you are supporting the protection of human rights, minimizing environmental degradation, supporting local community development, maintaining safe and responsible labor practices, and not supporting or financing rebel movements in Africa.