In 1893, Nobel Prize-winning French scientist Dr. Henri Moissan discovered minute quantities of a new mineral,

natural silicon carbide.  The mineral was located in an ancient meteorite found in the Diablo Canyon in Arizona.  Later named "Moissanite" in honour of Dr. Moissan, this mineral's supply was too limited for jewellery use.

Charles & Colvard recognized the mineral's potential.  They also realized that in order for the moissanite jewels to be used, they would have to be manufactured - there is essentially no natural supply for this stone.

In 1995, Charles & Colvard partnered with Cree (a NC-based R&D lab) to become the exclusive worldwide manufacturer and marketer of lab-created moissanite gemstones.

Quality

Clarity
Moissanite is not separated into grades (like diamond) because its manufacturer has set strict specifications that each stone must meet before being released to distributors.  Those specifications are comparable to diamonds which have been graded VS1-VS2 (Very Slightly Included - Minor inclusions somewhat easy to locate at 10x magnification).

Hardness
Moissanite is considered sturdier than diamond because it has no natural fractures that can crack if the stone is subjected to an impact of some kind.  Also, Moissanite, at 9.25 Mohs, is second in hardness only to diamond and incredibly tough.  This is the reason that Moissanite maintains its clarity and sparkle throughout a lifetime.  It will not look like a piece of rock salt, like cubic zirconia, after two weeks.

Colour
Moissanite cannot compare to a colourless diamond.  Moissanite has a slightly warmer (approximately I-K colour) but really cannot be differentiated from a diamond in the same setting.  You would probably be able to see a difference in colour if you compared loose Moissanite stones and loose diamond stones.

Limited Lifetime Warranty

Charles & Colvard, Ltd. offers consumers a limited lifetime warranty that Charles & Colvard created Moissanite jewels will maintain their brilliance and fire for the lifetime of the owner.

Comparison to Diamonds

Properly cut by master cutters, the comparison to fine diamond is unavoidable.  Moissanite has measurably more fire, brilliance and lustre at a fraction of the cost of diamond.  These faceted jewels now offer you a variety of choices and they are available in near colourless to very slightly tinted. 

You can purchase Moissanite in the most popular shapes - such as round, oval, marquise, pear, radiant cut octagon, heart, triangle, trillion, square brilliant princess, and antique squares.

The optical properties of diamond produce its brilliance, lustre and fire.  By virtue of its mineral structure, Moissanite produces more sparkle than diamond and generally out performs diamond on all counts.  Drop by the store and examiner Moissanite, guaranteed you will be impressed.