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| Moissanite created by Charles & Colvard has unique physical properties that truly make it unlike any jewel ever seen. |
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| It is generally accepted that the most important characteristics of a jewel are its beauty, durability and rarity. |
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| Beauty |
The beauty of a jewel is determined by its color, brilliance, "fire" and luster. |
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Brilliance |
The brilliance of a jewel is created by cutting designs that use the jewel's refractive index and is measured by the amount of light that enters the jewel and is reflected back to the viewer. |
| Fire |
The dispersion of a jewel combined with the cutting design results in the "fire," or the breaking of light rays into the spectrum of colors and is measured by the amount of colored flashes viewed when the jewel is moved in various lighting conditions. |
| Luster |
Luster is the amount of light that is reflected back to the observer from the surface of the jewel. |
| Durability |
The durability of a jewel is determined by its hardness, or resistance to scratching, and its toughness, or resistance to chipping or cleaving. The jewel's hardness also determines the extent to which brilliance and "fire" can be highlighted by cutting with sharp, highly polished facets. |
| Rarity |
Rarity is the availability or perceived availability of a jewel. |
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| These important characteristics are determined by a jewel's physical properties. The table below compares the physical properties of created moissanite and four of the most popular natural jewels. |
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Comparison
Chart |
BEAUTY |
DURABILITY |
SPECIFIC GRAVITY |
BRILLIANCE
Refractive Index |
FIRE
Dispersion |
LUSTER |
HARDNESS
Mohs |
TOUGHNESS |
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2.65-2.69 |
0.104 |
20.4% |
9.25 |
excellent |
3.21 |
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2.42 |
0.044 |
17.2% |
10 |
excellent
* |
3.52 |
 |
1.77 |
0.018 |
7.4% |
9 |
excellent
** |
4.00 |
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1.77 |
0.018 |
7.4% |
9 |
excellent
** |
4.00 |
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1.58 |
0.014 |
4.8% |
7.5 |
good to poor |
2.72 |
| * except good in cleavage direction ** except twinned stones |
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| The following pages provide fascinating pictures and information demonstrating the intense beauty, durability, and rarity of this stunning new jewel. Read on to learn why moissanite's superior brilliance, fire, and luster; along with its incredible hardness make it unlike any jewel ever seen. |
