History and Versatile Applications of Moissanite

Approximately 50,000 years ago, a meteorite impacted the Arizona desert, scattering fragments across the area. Dr. Henri Moissan studied these fragments in Diablo Canyon, discovering a sparkling material with unmatched brilliance. After thorough analysis, he identified it as silicon carbide. In 1905, Tiffany & Co., with mineralogist George Kunz, named it Moissanite to honor Dr. Moissan. Naturally rare, this mineral took a century to become a popular gemstone, especially as an alternative to diamonds in rings. Advances in manufacturing in the 1980s, led by CREE, enabled large crystal production. Expert cutting transformed Moissanite into a brilliant jewel, increasingly favored for its affordability and sparkle. Beyond jewelry, Moissanite’s remarkable properties have led to diverse applications: body armor containing Moissanite discs, durable abrasives for industrial use, ceramic brake discs in luxury sports cars, components in LED lighting, and even as a mirror material in space telescopes like the Herschel observatory. Its unique characteristics are shaping multiple industries today.