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A century ago in Arizona's remote Diablo Canyon, Nobel Prize winner Dr. Henri Moissan discovered minute quantities of a new mineral in an ancient meteorite. Natural Moissanite had the potential for absolutely shimmering brilliance, fire, luster and incredible hardness. However, the available quantity of this natural Moissanite mineral was too limited for use in jewelry.
Inspired by Dr. Moissan's discovery and employing the latest innovations in science, Charles and Colvard created synthetic Moissanite for use in jewelry. In the summer of 1995, a master diamond cutter in North Carolina observed some samples of Moissanite, then used for semiconductors, and suggested the stones could be used as gems. Within a few days, C3 Inc. was founded to develop Moissanite as a gemstone.
Moissanite is a precious jewel in its own right. The jewels made in the laboratory have the same composition as those made by nature. It is the second hardest gemstone known to man. Its properties so closely resemble diamonds that it tests as a diamond on standard thermal-type testers. It can stand very high amounts of heat from casting or jewelry repairs more so even than diamonds. Despite the diamond-like nature of this gem, it carries an un-diamond-like price tag -- about 10 percent of the price of a comparably sized diamond.
Moissanite is beautiful jewel with all the brilliance and fire of a fine diamond. Moissanite's brilliance, hardness, weight and scratch resistance rival all other gemstones. It possesses all the romance and passion of rubies, emeralds and sapphires. Charles and Colvard make the diamond-like Moissanites from silicon carbide crystals supplied by Cree Research. Moissanites test like diamonds and look like diamonds, in fact, they often pass for diamonds even when inspected by competent, experienced jewelers. Moissanite is NOT a cheap, inferior stone such as cubic zirconia, low fire white sapphire or other diamond synthetics. Moissanite stones are more expensive than cubic zirconias, but the difference is well worth the price!
Moissanites won't lose their brilliance and fire the way cubic zirconias do. There are no "clouds" or obvious imperfections. Each jewel is perfectly cut like the best of diamonds, which means each Moissanite gem looks like an investment grade diamond. Moissanites have the same properties as diamonds and are, in fact, even more brilliant. They won't change color. They are doubly refractive, which adds to their sparkle. I am an authorized Charles and Colvard Moissanite dealer, and each piece of jewelry containing Moissanite will include a certificate of authenticity.
Many of the jewelry pieces in my Web catalog also contain real diamonds in gold or platinum settings, with a Moissanite center. This look is my personal favorite. You have the best of all worlds ... real diamonds, and fiery, affordable Moissanite in gold or platinum.
If you want the look of high quality diamonds, but don't want to pay as $6,000 and more per carat, Moissanites are for you. Only you need to know that these fabulous jewels are not certified diamonds. No one will know the difference!
When you buy Moissanite jewelry from me, be assured that they are genuine Moissanites. I am an authorized Moissanite dealer listed on the Moissanite Web site from Connecticut. There is no need for you to pay the 300 percent and higher markups charged by jewelry stores. They need to charge these prices to cover their high overhead costs.
Please write to me with any questions.