Is Moissanite A Diamond?
Although they are occasionally called “moissanite diamonds,” moissanite is not a true diamond. Since naturally occurring moissanite is only found in meteorites and higher mantle rocks, it is actually even rarer than diamonds. In order to create lab-grown moissanite stones, experts use a high-tech method that is inspired by nature.
A moissanite’s greater refractive index means that when light strikes its surface, it generates more rainbow “fire” than a diamond, despite the untrained eye’s perception to the contrary. Additionally, a diamond has a harder physical composition than moissanite, which has a Mohs hardness value of 10 compared to a diamond’s 9.25.
In contrast, severe pressure and temperature are present during the formation of diamonds, which occur deep under the Earth’s mantle. The procedures used to manufacture lab-grown diamonds are similar to those that mimic the natural processes that give rise to natural diamonds. Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) or High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT) are the two methods that are usually used in these processes.
High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT):
In this process, a diamond seed is first inserted into a carbon piece. The carbon is exposed to high temperatures (over 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit) and intense pressures (1.5 million pounds per square inch) using a particular kind of press, such as a cubic, split-sphere, or belt press. Because of these circumstances, the carbon melts and reforms around the seed to produce a bigger diamond.
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD):
The CVD process begins with a sealed chamber containing a diamond seed, which is frequently produced via the HPHT procedure beforehand. This chamber has a temperature of around 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit and is filled with a mixture of hydrogen and methane gases. The molecular bonds in these gases are broken when they are ionized into plasma. The goal of the procedure is to add pure carbon to the stone seed in order to create a new layer and progressively increase the diamond’s size.
