Moissanite Problems
Moissanite can be considered the fabulously faux pas gem of the jewelry world. It is the masquerading diamond; the affordable starry sparkle that every woman deserves despite her budget. After all, while diamonds are a girl's best friend, they are not friendly to the wallet.
Moissanite still requires the same TLC as any other bauble, for it is still susceptible to grit and grime, and has pros and cons like any other jewel.
Does this Spark an idea?
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Definition
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Believed to have come from the comets, moissanites can be said to be gems of the universe. Born from the cosmos, it is believed that moissanite came to earth around 50,000 years ago in the form of a meteorite. Its chemical title is silicon carbide (a mineral fused from silicon and carbon) and is found in minute amounts in nature. Today moissanite is created, its minerals crystallized in laboratories before master gem cutters meticulously fashion the synthetic gems.
Cons
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Chlorine can be toxic to all gems--moissanite included Sincce moissanite is not a real diamond, and so anyone wanting the genuine article will want to invest in the real deal. Depending on the individual, marriage proposals and anniversaries might not be ideal occasions to present moissanite rather than a bona fide diamond.
In addition, there is a tendency for moissanite stones to look slightly green or gray in bright daylight.
Moissanite stones are also easily tainted by chlorine. Simply using household cleaning agents that contain chlorine or swimming in chlorinated pools can actually dissolve the stone's alloy.
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Misconceptions
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It's important to remember that moissanite is not a fake diamond any more than pink tourmaline is a "fake pink sapphire." The reason is that it has the durability of a diamond, whereas cubic zirconia does not. However, there are some who insist that anything other than a "diamond' is simply fake.
Most often, these arguments compare moissanite to cubic zirconia, insisting that they are in the same category. But consider, moissanite is as resistant to scratching and breaking as a diamond is, three times as hard as CZ (cubic zirconia).
Also, like a pure diamond, moissanite is guaranteed to never haze or cloud.
Considerations
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Like any other gemstone--synthetic or genuine--the moissante's luster can be dulled if overly-exposed to natural body oils, perfumes, lotions, soaps and various hair products. Before donning moissanite rings, bracelets or necklaces, the skin should not be lathered with the aforementioned products. It is wise to wait at least 15 minutes after applying the toiletries before putting the jewelry on.
Prevention/Solution
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Always carefully store moissanite jewelry Contrary to one beauty myth, toothpaste is not an ideal cleaning agent. A homemade cleanser involves mixing one part of ammonia with four parts of warm water, followed by two drops of mild liquid dishwashing soap. Let the jewelry soak for about 10 to 15 minutes and then scrub the stones with a soft toothbrush.
Another method is to gently scrub the moissanite with a soft linen cloth.
Like all gemstones, moissanite should be individually wrapped in soft pouches or sachets before being placed in an armoire.
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References
- Photo Credit Engagement Ring image by Kimberly Barton from Fotolia.com Deep Sky Objects image by Jim Mills from Fotolia.com eau de piscine 2 image by Nathalie P from Fotolia.com jewelry box image by Igor Groshev from Fotolia.com
