MOISSANITE ENGAGEMENT RING GUIDE Welcome to a World made brighter with moissanite At MoissaniteBridal.com, we understand the level of commitment and thoughtful research that comes with choosing the right engagement ring. That’s why we created our new Moissanite Engagement Ring Guide™. This invaluable resource provides you with essential insight into the vast world of engagement and wedding jewelry; conflict-free diamonds; sustainable materials, like recycled gold; and diamond alternatives, including Charles & Colvard® moissanite. We hope you’ll find this guide helpful in your decision-making process. Like Charles & Colvard, MoissaniteBridal.com proudly stands behind our moissanite jewels and guarantees that each one will maintain its fire and brilliance, without fading or changing color. If you have any questions about moissanite wedding jewelry, please visit us at www.MoissaniteBridal.com today. ©2015 MoissaniteBridal.com Call toll-free 1-888-345-8725 (US) Contact [email protected] www.MoissaniteBridal.com 2 ©2015 MoissaniteBridal.com Call toll-free 1-888-345-8725 (US) Contact [email protected] www.MoissaniteBridal.com 3 Table of Contents p 5 Who Discovered Moissanite? p 6 A Brief History of Moissanite p 7 14k Gold, Platinum and Palladium p 8 More About Conflict Diamonds p 9 The Five Cs of Moissanite p 11 Anatomy of a Moissanite and Diamond p 12 Popular Cuts of Moissanite p 13 Cuts and Weights of Moissanite p 17 Moissanite vs. Diamond p 18 Moissanite vs. CZ p 19 Commonly Marketed Jewels p 20 Integrity, Trust and Quality p 21 DesignYour Own Engagement Ring ©2015 MoissaniteBridal.com Call toll-free 1-888-345-8725 (US) Contact [email protected] www.MoissaniteBridal.com 4 Who Discovered Moissanite? FERDINAND FREDERIC HENRI MOISSAN as found in the journal of Gems & Gemology, 1999 Henri Moissan was born in Paris on September 28, 1852. His advanced education began in the Collège de Meaux and later in Edmond Frémy’s laboratory at the Musée d’Histoire Naturelle, where he attended lectures by E.H. Sainte-Claire Deville and Henri Debray. A year later, Moissan removed to Pierre Paul Dehérain’s laboratory in the École Pratique des Haute Études and, subsequently, directed a small laboratory of his own before joining Debray and Troost in the laboratories of the Sorbonne. In 1899, he took the Chair of Inorganic Chemistry and, in 1900, was appointed Assessor to the Director of that School. In the same year, he succeeded Troost as Professor of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Paris. In 1892, Moissan theorized that diamonds could be synthesized by crystallizing carbon under pressure from molten iron. He designed and developed the electric-arc furnace, attaining temperatures of up to 3,500°C, to assist him in work that led to the production of tiny artificial stones. Moissan subsequently used the furnace to volatilize many substances that had been regarded as infusible and to prepare many new compounds, particularly carbides, silicides and borides. Moissan, a Commandeur de la Légion d’Honneur, was elected member of the Académie de Médecine (1888), Académie des Sciences (1891), Conseil d’Hygiène de la Seine (1895) and the Comité Consultatif des Arts et Manufactures (1898). He was awarded the Prix Lacaze in 1887, was a Davy medalist in 1896 and a Hofmann medalist in 1903. Moissan was honored by the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia, was awarded Fellowships of the Royal Society of London and The Chemical Society (London) and held honorary memberships of many other learned societies. Dr. Moissan died suddenly in Paris on February 20, 1907, soon after receiving his Nobel Prize in Chemistry. ©2015 MoissaniteBridal.com Call toll-free 1-888-345-8725 (US) Contact [email protected] www.MoissaniteBridal.com 5 A Brief History of Moissanite FROM PURE SCIENCE COMES NATURAL BRILLIANCE Discovered more than 100 years ago in particles taken from an Arizona meteor crater by Dr. Henri Moissan, silicon carbide begins its journey through a transformational process to become moissanite—a spectacular jewel of the 21st century. Now, through the combination of advanced technology and proprietary process, moissanite is carefully created by Charles & Colvard®. Cherished worldwide, the moissanite jewel is acclaimed for its exceptional brilliance and dispersion (fire)—properties that in moissanite exceed most popular gemstones, including diamond. Moissanite is also harder than ruby, sapphire or emerald—second in hardness only to diamond. Moissanite’s history truly showcases the feats of modern science and artisan skill in creating a jewel so universally appealing. The Uniqueness of Moissanite A STANDOUT JEWEL FOR GOOD REASON Creating an entirely new and unique category of jewel and jewelry, moissanite—chemically known as silicon carbide—is both exceptionally brilliant and amazingly unique. Believed to have been carried to earth by a meteorite 50,000 years ago in trace amounts, silicon carbide is now created in a painstaking laboratory process and then hand-faceted by master diamond-cutters to bring out its exceptional natural brilliance. Set into a fine piece of jewelry, moissanite produces the most fire you’ve ever seen—it’s unlike anything found naturally on earth. ©2015 MoissaniteBridal.com Call toll-free 1-888-345-8725 (US) Contact [email protected] www.MoissaniteBridal.com 6 14k Gold, Platinum and Palladium RECYCLED PRECIOUS METALS We’re in a business where all of our products come from the earth. The jewelry industry, in particular, relies heavily upon mining companies to generate source materials for their products. The fact is—mining is a very “dirty” business. The production of one beautiful gold ring will generate five tons of environmental waste, contaminating water and lands that endanger the health and lives of humans and animals. The negative impacts of mining have forced people and businesses alike to take a long, hard look at where their products come from, how they’re made and to what extent they’re impacting the earth, its lands and its people. MoissaniteBridal.com is a truly earth-minded retailer of fine jewelry and partners only with refiners and manufacturers who provide socially and environmentally responsible products and services. We believe it’s our moral obligation to continually respect basic human rights around the world and to protect the environment by conserving energy and recycling. ©2015 MoissaniteBridal.com Call toll-free 1-888-345-8725 (US) Contact [email protected] www.MoissaniteBridal.com 7 More About Conflict Diamonds CONFLICT DIAMONDS AND THE KIMBERLEY PROCESS From the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Diamonds are small, valuable and easily concealed—the perfect target for smugglers. In the late 1990s, the world learned that smuggled diamonds were funding murderous rebel armies in Angola and Sierra Leone. These stones became known as “conflict diamonds” or “blood diamonds.” Even though the vast majority of rough diamonds were going through legitimate channels, immediate action was needed to end the distribution of these blood diamonds. In 2000, industry organizations began working with world governments, human rights groups and the United Nations to create the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, aimed at removing undocumented rough diamonds from the marketplace. According to this system, all rough diamonds had to be accompanied by a diamond certificate of origin issued by an approved agency. From that point and all the way to the consumer, it became mandatory that each diamond be accompanied by a document confirming its legitimate pedigree. Unfortunately, the place where a diamond’s found—and the fact that it can travel hundreds of miles from its true point of origin—makes it virtually impossible to know where a specific diamond originated. Because the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) only reports on what it knows, it doesn’t report on point of origin. The Kimberley Process took effect on January 1, 2003 and, by all accounts, it appears to be working. With the end of civil war in Angola and Sierra Leone, peace and stability have returned to those countries. ©2015 MoissaniteBridal.com Call toll-free 1-888-345-8725 (US) Contact [email protected] www.MoissaniteBridal.com 8 The Five Cs of Moissanite KNOWING QUALITY WHEN YOU SEE IT Charles and Colvard, Ltd. CUT From crystal formation to the final polish, moissanite stones are hand-faceted to maximize each created gem’s exceptional fire, brilliance and sparkle. CLARITY Moissanite has only the finest clarity, and on most diamond scales, its rating would rival the nicest VS diamond. Moissanite’s exceptional fire and brilliance are enhanced by the consistent quality of Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite®. COLOR Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite® is produced near colorless and carries the highest refractive index and dispersion. As a result, it has greater fire, brilliance and scintillation than that of any other gemstone. CARAT Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite® is produced within exact specifications, making it visually proportionate to typical diamond carat weights. The advantage of this technique is that the size you select is the size you receive. It also allows you to see equivalent pricing when compared to a diamond, so you can see the true value this unique jewel offers. COMMITMENT Each Charles & Colvard Created Forever Family Moissanite® gemstone is backed and warranted with Charles & Colvard’s® exclusive Limited Lifetime Warranty. ©2015 MoissaniteBridal.com Call toll-free 1-888-345-8725 (US)