Unveiling the Grades of Moissanite

Moissanite Color Grade

Color grade measures the amount of color in the stone, ranging from D (colorless) to Z (slight yellow tint). Moissanite’s color grades are categorized into three primary groups:

1. Colorless: Comparable to D, E, or F color grades
2. Slightly Colorless: Comparable to G, H, or I color grades
3. Yellow Tinted: Comparable to J or K color grades

Moissanite Clarity Grade

Clarity grade evaluates the number of imperfections or inclusions in the stone. Almost all gemstones have inclusions, but most inclusions in moissanite are not visible to the naked eye and require high magnification to be detected.

Moissanite clarity is assessed based on the number of inclusions, classified into five easier-to-understand categories:

1. FL, IF: Flawless and internally flawless
2. VVS2 Diamond vs VVS1 Diamond”>VVS1, VVS2: Very, very slightly included
3. VS1, VS2: Very slightly included
4. SI1, SI2: Slightly included
5. I1, I2, I3: Included

Types of Common Moissanite Inclusions:

Needles: Thin, needle-like imperfections that are prevalent in moissanite. They are hard to see without close inspection and usually only diminish the stone’s beauty if clustered together in large numbers.

Mineral Crystals: Crystals within the stone that can appear light or dark.

Clouds: These milky-looking spots within the stone consist of clusters of needle and crystal inclusions, visible under magnification.

Feathers: Miniature fractures resembling a crack or feather within the gem. Avoid moissanite with many feathers as they compromise the stone’s structural integrity and make it more prone to fracture.

Knots: These appear as white or transparent crystals. Stones with many knots should be avoided due to their negative impact on structural integrity.

Chips: Small surface openings typically resulting from accidental damage during daily wear. Chips are often found on the gemstone’s culet, facet junctions, and girdle.

Cavities: Openings on the stone, similar to tooth cavities, which easily trap dirt and oil, creating noticeable dark spots.

Moissanite Cut Grade

Cut grade refers to how well the stone is cut, graded from Excellent to Poor. An excellent cut allows light to travel optimally through the stone, creating a vibrant sparkle. Conversely, poorly cut stones may look lifeless due to insufficient light reflection. The grading chart for cut is as follows:

1. Excellent
2. Very Good
3. Good
4. Fair
5. Poor

Moissanite Carat Weight

For diamonds, carat weight measures the stone’s weight. Moissanite, however, being less dense than diamonds, makes weight comparison between the two difficult. Thus, moissanite’s carat weight is usually indicated by its size in millimeters. For instance, a one-carat diamond is roughly equivalent to a 6.5mm moissanite.

Optimal Moissanite Grade

Understanding moissanite grades is valuable for buyers, as it empowers them to choose stones with characteristics that meet their preferences.

While preferred grades vary, we recommend opting for colorless moissanite with D to F color grades, clarity grades from FL to VS1, and an Excellent or Very Good cut grade. These grades ensure a stunningly beautiful moissanite stone.