IGI to Issue Grading Reports for Synthetic Moissanite: Charles & Colvard Adding Value to “Lab Grown” Products
Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report
Charles & Colvard, the manufacturers of the diamond imitation synthetic moissanite, has just announced that IGI, the International Gemological Institute, will now be issuing quality grading reports for the lab grown product.
What is Moissanite?
Moissanite is a silicon carbide. It can be found in nature as very small [uncuttable] crystals, and it can be created in a laboratory (or factory) in larger crystals, and in large quantity.
Moissanite was named after the French chemist and Nobel prize winner, Ferdinand Frédéric Henri Moissan, who created silicon carbide while trying to make diamond in his laboratory.
According to the records of the time, in 1892, Henri Moissan theorized that diamonds could be synthesized by crystallizing carbon under pressure from molten iron. He designed and developed the electric-arc furnace which led to the production of tiny crystals. What he created was carborundum – silicon carbide.
Then, reportedly, in 1893, while examining samples of the Canyon Diablo meteorite (from meteor crater in Arizona, USA) he identified minerals in the sample as being diamond, but then later correctly identified them as a new natural mineral – silicon carbide. So approximately one year after he created it in his lab, he discovered the natural counterpart in a meteorite. And it was this new mineral that was named moissanite in his honor.
[Henri Moissan was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1906. Not for discovering or creating silicon carbide, although that was something to be proud of. No, the proize went towards the “investigation and isolation of the element fluorine, and for the adoption in the service of science of the electric furnace.”]
North Carolina & Research Triangle
Fast forward almost a century (1989) when Cree Research in North Carolina’s research triangle, was the first to commercially produce synthetic moissanite.
Synthetic moissanite is a very important high-performance ceramic, commonly known as the abrasive “carborundum.” Single-crystalline silicon carbide, which is what Cree Research was successful in creating, has been used for the fabrication of high-performance semiconductor devices. As an offshoot of the semiconductor business, they also started cutting synthetic moissanite into gemstones. At that time, it was a highly effective diamond imitation.
As A Diamond Substitute
Even though the manufacturers of synthetic moissanite, now Charles & Colvard, market the material as a stand-alone product, in gemology, synthetic moissanite is considered a diamond substitute/imitation.
Many of the properties of synthetic moissanite and diamond are similar – Synthetic moissanite can be formed as near colorless single crystals, as can diamond. Its hardness is noted as 9.5 on the Moh’s scale (Diamond = 10). This means that synthetic moissanite is quite durable, not easily scratched.
Its specific gravity is listed at 3.24 (Diamond = 3.52). When compared to diamond, 1 carat to 1 carat for instance, their weights and sizes are very similar.
And synthetic moissanite’s refractive index is 2.65 (Diamond 2.42). This means that the light bouncing off and bouncing around inside both gem materials, they will look similar.
However, its synthetic moissanite’s dispersion is measured at 0.104, which is much higher than diamond (0.044), offering the wearer more than twice as much fire than you will see with a diamond.
As for identification, it is relatively easy to make the distinction between synthetic moissanite and diamond. Any gemmologist with basic gemological equipment can see the doubling of back facet junctions under modest magnification. Diamond is singly refractive and does not show this property.
It’s Still Their Name
Cree Research (now Wolfspeed Inc.) handed off the gem materials division to C3, listed CTHR on the NASDAQ New York stock exchange. C3 is now Charles & Colvard.
Value Added
– Charles & Colvard Press Release
May 23, 2024
Charles & Colvard, Ltd. (Nasdaq: CTHR) (the “Company”), a globally recognized fine jewelry company that specializes in moissanite and lab grown diamonds, is pleased to announce an exclusive strategic alliance with the International Gemological Institute (IGI), introducing comprehensive grading reports for moissanite gemstones and jewelry.
“Not all moissanite is created equal,” says Don O’Connell, President and CEO of Charles & Colvard. “The new collaboration with IGI emphasizes our commitment to maintaining brand integrity in a market increasingly saturated with false information and counterfeit products.”
The grading reports, with unique identifiers tying back to each individual laser-inscribed gemstone, are designed to boost consumer confidence by providing standardized measures for loose Forever One™ moissanite gems, ensuring a reliable standard of quality and authenticity for purchasers.
Expert gemologists will rigorously evaluate and authenticate each moissanite gemstone and provide comprehensive certification reports detailing its quality characteristics.
Consumers will recognize the standard 4Cs used in diamond grading—cut, clarity, carat, and color—in the grading report, along with Charles & Colvard moissanite-specific grading measures.
“Moissanite has long been celebrated for its brilliance and durability, but until now, consumers have not had access to moissanite gemstones with grading reports backed by an industry leader in the space. We believe our collaboration with IGI will be a significant turning point in the lab-grown industry. This strategic alliance will bring unparalleled transparency and accountability regarding the quality of moissanite gemstones. We believe our new certifications will allow consumers, retailers, and distributors to further validate the quality and value of our gems while helping to safeguard customers against misinformation and false claims made by other moissanite providers,” continued O’Connell.
“This development underscores IGI’s commitment to supporting our industry with detailed, accurate assessments,” added Avi Levy, President of IGI North America. “It demonstrates our dedication to reinforcing consumer trust in all of the gemstone products they purchase.”
Forever One™ moissanite gemstone reports will be available exclusively to the trade beginning next week in a limited capacity for the launch. IGI will scale to meet the demand for the reports as their experts continue to grade Charles & Colvard’s moissanite gemstone inventory. Later this year, consumers will also be able to purchase finished jewelry mounted with IGI-certified gemstones from Charles & Colvard.
Both companies will be exhibiting at the upcoming JCK Show, one of the largest and most trusted jewelry industry trade events, in Las Vegas, Nevada, from May 31 – June 3, 2024. Visitors can find IGI at booth #11065 and Charles & Colvard at booth #12058 in the Bridal Pavilion.
To learn more about IGI, visit www.igi.org.
About Charles & Colvard, Ltd.
Charles & Colvard, Ltd. (Nasdaq: CTHR) believes that fine jewelry should be as ethical as it is exquisite. Charles & Colvard is the original creator of lab grown moissanite (a rare gemstone formed from silicon carbide). The Company brings revolutionary gems and fine jewelry to market by using exclusively Made, not Mined™ above ground gemstones and a dedication to 100% recycled precious metals. The Company’s Forever One™ moissanite and Caydia® lab grown diamond brands provide exceptional quality, incredible value and a conscious approach to bridal, high fashion, and everyday jewelry. Charles & Colvard was founded in 1995 and is based in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park region. For more information, please visit www.charlesandcolvard.com.
