MOISSANITE

A Brilliant Discovery

Moissanite was first discovered in 1893 at the site of a large meteorite crater in Arizona by the Nobel Prize-winning French chemist Dr. Henri Moissan and named in his honour. The tiny particles were initially mistaken for diamonds due to their hardness and brilliant reflectiveness, but after further testing, were identified as naturally-occurring silicon carbide (SiC). Dr. Moissan spent the rest of his life attempting to re-create this exceptional mineral, which is commercially useful and among the hardest materials on earth.

Charles & Colvard

Moissanite was introduced to the jewellery market in 1998 after Charles & Colvard received patents to create and market lab-grown silicon carbide gemstones, becoming the first company to do so. Charles & Colvard currently makes and distributes moissanite gems under the trademarks Forever One, Forever Brilliant and Forever Classic.

As the original creator of moissanite they are dedicated to offering environmentally and ethically responsible gemstone choices in the fine jewellery industry. All Charles & Colvard® created gemstones are backed by a Charles & Colvard Certificate of Authenticity and Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Petra exclusively offers Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite and we regard moissanite as a diamond alternative, not a simulant.

Beauty Redefined

A beautiful and durable man-made gemstone, with a 9.25 hardness that rivals that of any mineral on earth, and refractive properties exceeding that of diamond.

Its lower price and less exploitative mining practices necessary to obtain it make it a popular alternative to diamonds mainly for engagement rings created in white gold, yellow gold or rose gold, palladium, and platinum. Moissanite can be used on its own or in combination with small diamonds in complementing colours. It is also an excellent choice for earrings and pendant necklaces.

Petra is proud to offer Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite as an alternative to those clients, who want the ‘big diamond look without the big diamond price tag’ or who have ethical conflicts with diamonds.

THE 5 C’s OF MOISSANITE

Every Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite gem is precisely calibrated and hand-faceted by master gem cutters to maximize brilliance and sparkle that increases the refractive index of moissanite.

The past two decades have seen ongoing research and development aimed at expanding the colour range of Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite to meet market demand.

The Forever One™ is an unfailingly pure white, COLOURLESS gem in the premium D-E-F range. The crowning achievement in gem innovation by Charles & Colvard.

Moissanite’s clarity grading is “eye-clean”.

Charles & Colvard® creates moissanite using organic elements, mimicking nature in a controlled environment, therefore moissanite gems have tiny, needle-like inclusions that develop during the growing process and are not visible to the unaided eye. Only moissanite gemstones that pass Charles & Colvard’s stringent quality standards are made available for distribution.

Moissanite carat weight is approximately 12% lighter than the equivalent diamond size.

A 6.5mm round brilliant natural diamond would weigh approximately 1.00ct compared to a 6.5mm moissanite which has a weight of approximately 0.88ct. To the eye, they appear to be the same size, although the weight of the two stones is different.

For this reason, moissanite is sold by size rather than carat weight.

Like other gems, large sizes of moissanite are rare. However, the premium for large sizes is much less, making moissanite a particularly good choice for bold jewellery designs.

All Charles & Colvard® created gemstones are backed by a Charles & Colvard Certificate of Authenticity and Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Charles & Colvard® ensures that your moissanite gemstone is an original of exceptional quality & craftsmanship. Grown in an American laboratory, Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite® is a responsible alternative to mined gems, providing jobs without damaging the environment.

Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite’s durability means that its beauty and value will endure. Moissanite is one of the hardest minerals on earth and is extremely resistant to scratching, abrasion, breaking, or chipping. Charles & Colvard’s promise to you is that its fire and brilliance will last forever.

Known to many as “The World’s Most Brilliant Gem®”, with unsurpassed fire and brilliance, this unique created gemstone is the ultimate in affordable luxury.

Please visit www.moissanite.co.za for more info and prices.