The history of this stone began in 1905, when the Frenchman Henri Moissan discovered mysterious translucent crystals in a meteorite. Research revealed that they were silicon carbide, a chemical compound of silicon and carbon. The cosmic visitor was named Moissanite after its discoverer and immediately earned the nickname "the diamond from heaven," because it was only slightly different from a true diamond—the presence of silicon in the carbon crystal lattice.

It can also be called the diamond's younger brother—a twin brother, because their shared carbon base makes them almost indistinguishable. In the twentieth century, moissanite was (and continues to be) used as an abrasive due to its extreme hardness—it is harder than all known materials except its older "relative." Finally, in 1973, Russian scientists led by Yuri Tairov grew large, gem-quality silicon carbide crystals. This event opened a new chapter in the history of moissanite and a new era in the world of gemstones. It is also worth noting the outstanding role of enthusiasts at the American company Charles & Colvard, who were the first to appreciate the potential of this "younger brother" and, thanks to them, the world learned about the merits of this magnificent stone and began to speak about it in full voice.

What's so remarkable about it? What makes moissanite the king of gemstones today? Environmentalists value it because its production doesn't involve mining or disrupting the planet's ecosystem. Gemologists see it as easily identifiable and distinguishable from counterfeits, as no other material possesses such a unique set of physical properties. For jewelers, the richness of shades and imaginative cuts offers ample scope for creative design. But the stone offers the greatest range of advantages to the average consumer—you and me. Firstly, its high hardness makes it practical to use—it can only be scratched by a diamond, should anyone dare. Secondly, due to its high optical properties (refractive index and dispersion), moissanite far surpasses even a diamond in beauty, fire, and brilliance. Thirdly, laboratory production eliminates any potential harmful effects on the body, such as residual radiation. And finally, from an ethical standpoint, everything is also in order – it is hardly possible to talk about “bloody” moissanites, since their production and circulation do not affect zones of military conflicts and cruel exploitation.

Of course, there is a harder stone in nature (diamond), but it is very expensive and not as beautiful. There are stones with greater fire and brilliance (sphalerite, cerrussite), but they are very soft. Corundums of various colors (ruby, sapphire) are hard, beautifully colored, but they are also expensive and practically devoid of fire. And only moissanite—the as-yet-uncrowned king of tomorrow's jewelry market—amazingly organically combines all the best qualities of a gemstone in optimal proportions. This is it—a stone once gifted from heaven and perfected by the power of the human mind.