Moissanite Jewellery India: What It Is and Why It Outshines the Rest
Share
What Is Moissanite?
Moissanite is a gemstone made of silicon carbide (SiC). It was first discovered in 1893 by Nobel Prize-winning chemist Henri Moissan inside a meteorite crater in Arizona. Natural moissanite is extraordinarily rare, so today nearly all moissanite used in jewellery is lab-created. This is not a flaw: lab-created moissanite is chemically identical to natural moissanite and has no mining footprint.
What makes moissanite remarkable is its optical properties. It has a refractive index of 2.65 to 2.69, compared to diamond's 2.42. This means moissanite bends and disperses light more powerfully than diamond, producing what jewellers call exceptional "fire" and "brilliance." In plain language: moissanite sparkles more than diamond.
Moissanite vs Diamond: Key Differences
- Hardness: Diamond is 10 on the Mohs scale (the hardest known material). Moissanite is 9.25, making it the second hardest gemstone used in jewellery. Both are highly scratch-resistant and suitable for everyday wear.
- Brilliance: Moissanite has higher fire (spectral colour dispersion) than diamond. This means it can look even more sparkly than diamond under light.
- Price: A 1-carat natural diamond costs Rs. 3,00,000 to Rs. 10,00,000 or more depending on grade. A 1-carat moissanite stone costs Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 15,000. The saving is significant.
- Ethics: Lab-created moissanite requires no mining. For buyers concerned about conflict diamonds or environmental impact, moissanite is a clear alternative.
- Appearance: Side by side, it is very difficult to distinguish moissanite from diamond with the naked eye. Both have colourless clarity and high transparency.
Moissanite in Indian Jewellery
In India, moissanite is gaining popularity as a diamond substitute in bridal and festive jewellery. The advantage is significant: you can have a visually comparable piece at a fraction of the cost, which allows for larger stones, more elaborate settings, or simply a more responsible budget allocation for your wedding.
Kansya takes this further by setting moissanite within traditional kundan-style settings. Kundan is an ancient Indian stone-setting technique in which gemstones are set using refined gold foil (23-24k), creating a rich, traditional look. The combination of modern moissanite and ancient kundan craftsmanship is, to our knowledge, one of the more interesting convergences in contemporary Indian jewellery.
Kansya's Moissanite Jewellery
- Trio Moissanite Kundan Earrings (Rs. 899): Three moissanite stones set in a traditional kundan-style brass frame. The stones catch light the way diamond does, but at an accessible price point. Suitable for festive wear, office wear, and daily use.
- Jaipuri Moissanite Kundan Studs (Rs. 2,500): A more elaborate kundan stud earring in the Jaipur tradition, set with moissanite. Jaipur is India's capital of kundan jewellery, and these studs draw from that heritage. Suitable for weddings and formal events.
Who Is Moissanite Jewellery For?
- Brides on a budget: If you want the look of diamond bridal jewellery without the diamond price, moissanite is a direct, honest alternative.
- Everyday luxury: Moissanite jewellery is durable enough for daily wear (hardness 9.25) and brilliant enough to feel special.
- Ethically-minded buyers: If you prefer not to buy mined diamonds for ethical or environmental reasons, moissanite is lab-created and conflict-free.
- Fans of traditional Indian design: Kansya's moissanite pieces are set in kundan style, which means they carry traditional Indian aesthetics while using a modern, sustainable gemstone.
How to Care for Moissanite Jewellery
- Moissanite is highly durable, but the brass setting and gold-tone plating require care.
- Avoid prolonged contact with water, sweat, and perfume to protect the plating.
- Clean with a soft, dry cloth after wearing.
- Store in a fabric pouch away from harder metals that could scratch the surface.
- The moissanite stone itself can be gently cleaned with a soft toothbrush and mild soap, then rinsed and dried immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is moissanite better than diamond?
Moissanite has greater brilliance (fire and sparkle) than diamond and costs roughly 10% of what a diamond of the same size would cost. Diamond is slightly harder (10 vs 9.25 on Mohs scale). For practical everyday jewellery wear, moissanite performs comparably to diamond. For those who value sparkle, ethics, or budget, moissanite is often the better choice.
Can you tell moissanite apart from diamond?
With the naked eye, it is very difficult to tell moissanite apart from diamond. Both are colourless, transparent, and highly brilliant. A jeweller using a diamond tester or loupe can distinguish them, but for daily wear, the visual difference is negligible.
What is kundan setting?
Kundan is a traditional Indian stone-setting technique originating in Rajasthan and Mughal-era court jewellery. Gemstones are set using highly refined gold foil (23-24k), which is pressed around the stone to hold it in place. The technique creates rich, detailed jewellery with a classic Indian aesthetic. Kansya uses kundan-style settings in brass as a more accessible version of this tradition.
Where can I buy moissanite jewellery in India?
Kansya makes moissanite kundan earrings in India, including the Trio Moissanite Kundan Earrings at Rs. 899 and the Jaipuri Moissanite Kundan Studs at Rs. 2,500. Shop at kansyajewelry.in.