Moissanite created by Charles & Colvard, has measurably more fire, brilliance and luster than any jewel and a hardness that is second only to diamond. So what is the story behind this jewel with the hard to pronounce name (Moy-san-ite)? Fifty thousand years ago, a meteorite crashed into the Arizona desert creating what is now know as "Meteor Crater." Then in 1893, Dr. Henri Moissan, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist began studying fragments of the meteorite from nearby Diablo Canyon. In these fragments, Moissan believed he discovered diamonds from space that had a unique fire and brilliance. After extensive research, it was concluded Moissan in face discovered a new mineral that was made of silicon carbide. In 1905, even though there wasn't enough Moissanite to make a pair of stud earrings, it was named Moissanite in his honor. Despite this amazing discovery, it would be nearly a century before this stunning mineral would emerge as the brilliant jewel it is today. In the late 1980's, inspired by moissan's discovery, Charles & Colvard, a publicity traded companpy, developed a proprietary process for producing large crystals of Moissanite. By 1995, Charles & Colvard was creating Moissanite jewels and today is the world's sole source for
Moissanite, holding two worldwide patents. |
