Moissanite
Harder than sapphire, brighter than diamond, and a fraction of the price — moissanite earns its place on its own merits rather than as an imitation.
About Moissanite
Moissanite was first identified in a meteorite crater in Arizona in 1893 by Henri Moissan, who initially took the crystals for diamonds. Natural moissanite is vanishingly rare, so everything used in jewelry is laboratory grown silicon carbide.
Its optical properties are genuinely different from diamond rather than merely similar. Moissanite has a higher refractive index and more than twice the dispersion, which produces noticeably more colored fire — the flashes of rainbow that some people love and others find too much. It is a distinguishable stone if you know what to look for, and it should be sold as itself.
At 9.25 on the Mohs scale it is harder than every colored gemstone except diamond, which makes it genuinely practical for daily wear. Combined with a price that is a small fraction of diamond, it is a sensible choice for a ring that has to survive a working life.
Why Sharon works with moissanite
Sharon uses moissanite for clients who want size and durability without the cost, and for pieces that will take hard wear. She sets it in sterling and in gold, always disclosed, and she is happy to explain the difference in fire so nobody is surprised by what they get.
Caring for moissanite
Very easy. Warm soapy water, a soft brush, and ultrasonic cleaning is safe.
Common questions about moissanite
Can people tell moissanite from diamond?
A trained eye often can, from the extra colored fire. Most people cannot. It should always be sold as moissanite rather than passed off as diamond, and Sharon labels it clearly.
Will moissanite cloud or fade?
No. It is a stable crystal and will not cloud, fade or change color. Older moissanite sometimes had a faint green or gray cast; current material is available fully colorless.
Is moissanite a good engagement ring stone?
It is an excellent one on durability and value. The decision usually comes down to whether you prefer its brighter, more rainbow-like fire to diamond’s whiter sparkle.
Moissanite jewelry by Sharon Teaman
Each piece is one of a kind and made by hand in State College, Pennsylvania.
Elongated Pear-shaped Emerald earrings with Moissanite
Emerald$6,225
Natural Emerald Pear Necklace with Moissanites
Emerald$5,880
14K Oval Carat Blue Moissanite Ring accented with 4 Earth mined Diamonds
Moissanite$5,395
8mm Moissanite Studs (2 carat Diamond size each)
Moissanite$990
6.5mm Light Cape Moissanite
Moissanite$690
6.5mm Trillion Moissanite
Moissanite$690
Moissanite Bracelet
Moissanite$690
Dainty Moissanite 4-Prong Ring
Moissanite$145
Dainty Moissanite Bezel Ring
Moissanite$135
Moissanite pieces Sharon has made before
Sold, but a good indication of what is possible. Any of these can be a starting point for a commission.
Commission a moissanite piece
Tell Sharon the color, the shape or the budget you have in mind. She sources moissanite year round and will find the right stone before a single sketch is made.