Difference between revisions of "Moissanite"

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(Created page with "thumb|Silicon carbide == Description == An extremely hard synthetic Abrasive. Silicon carbide was discovered in 1884 by E.G. A...")
 
 
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[[File:ps20830siliconcarbide.jpg|thumb|Silicon carbide]]
 
[[File:ps20830siliconcarbide.jpg|thumb|Silicon carbide]]
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 
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A rarely occurring natural mineral composed of [[silicon carbide]] that was first discovered in rock samples from a meteor crater in 1893 by Henri Moissan. Synthetic silicon carbide was synthesized in the labs two years before the discovery of the natural mineral. Silicon carbide is resistant to thermal shock, thermal expansion, and high temperatures. The green to black powder is one of the hardest substances known to man and has been used as an abrasive for polishing glass, granite, and bisque ware. Synthetic moissanite has also been made as a jewel quality stone and was introduced in 1998 as a diamond alternative. Synthetic moissanite gemstones are optically similar to diamonds, but can be distinguished because of their thermochromism (change in color with gradual heating), electrical conductivity and birefringence.
An extremely hard synthetic [[abrasive|abrasive]]. Silicon carbide was discovered in 1884 by E.G. Acheson and named [[Carborundum|Carborundum]]. He made it made by fusing [[coke|coke]] with [[sand|sand]] in [[clay|clay]]. Silicon carbide is resistant to thermal shock, thermal expansion, and high temperatures. The green to black powder is one of the hardest substances known to man. It is a good conductor of heat and electricity. Silicon carbide is used as an abrasive for polishing glass, granite, and bisque ware. It is also used in the manufacture of porcelain, emery paper, shoe soles, antiskid flooring, kiln shelves, and furnace linings. Moissanite is a jewel quality stone made from silicon carbide that was introduced in 1998 as a simulated diamond. Synthetic moissanite gemstones can be optically similar to diamonds, but can be distinguished because of their thermochromism (change in color with gradual heating), electrical conductivity and birefringence.
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[[File:Moissanite R110106 Sample Photo 28114 M.jpg|thumb|Synthetic moissanite; Gemological Institute of America]]
 
 
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
  
 
silicon carbide; Siliziumcarbid (Deut.); carbure de silicium; siliciumcarbide (Ned.); kiselkarbid (Sven.); Forever One; Forever Brilliant; Forever Classic; Amora
 
silicon carbide; Siliziumcarbid (Deut.); carbure de silicium; siliciumcarbide (Ned.); kiselkarbid (Sven.); Forever One; Forever Brilliant; Forever Classic; Amora
[[[SliderGallery rightalign|siliconcarbideRS.jpg~Raman]]]
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[[[SliderGallery rightalign|Moissanite Raman RRUFF R110106.png~Raman (RRUFF)|siliconcarbideRS.jpg~Raman (RAMSIN)]]]
 
== Risks ==
 
== Risks ==
  
* May produce a hazy glaze if residues are left on biscuit.
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* Noncombustible.   
* Noncombustible.
 
* Potential carcinogen.   
 
 
* Contact may cause mechanical irritation.   
 
* Contact may cause mechanical irritation.   
 
* Fisher Scientific: [https://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/20700.htm MSDS]
 
* Fisher Scientific: [https://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/20700.htm MSDS]
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* Luster = adamantine to metallic   
 
* Luster = adamantine to metallic   
 
* Streak = greenish gray  
 
* Streak = greenish gray  
* Fluorescence = orange=red  
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* Fluorescence = inert to orange-red  
 
* Dispersion = 0.104 (extreme fire)
 
* Dispersion = 0.104 (extreme fire)
  

Latest revision as of 13:48, 24 January 2023

Silicon carbide

Description

A rarely occurring natural mineral composed of Silicon carbide that was first discovered in rock samples from a meteor crater in 1893 by Henri Moissan. Synthetic silicon carbide was synthesized in the labs two years before the discovery of the natural mineral. Silicon carbide is resistant to thermal shock, thermal expansion, and high temperatures. The green to black powder is one of the hardest substances known to man and has been used as an abrasive for polishing glass, granite, and bisque ware. Synthetic moissanite has also been made as a jewel quality stone and was introduced in 1998 as a diamond alternative. Synthetic moissanite gemstones are optically similar to diamonds, but can be distinguished because of their thermochromism (change in color with gradual heating), electrical conductivity and birefringence.

Synthetic moissanite; Gemological Institute of America

Synonyms and Related Terms

silicon carbide; Siliziumcarbid (Deut.); carbure de silicium; siliciumcarbide (Ned.); kiselkarbid (Sven.); Forever One; Forever Brilliant; Forever Classic; Amora

Raman (RRUFF)

Moissanite Raman RRUFF R110106.png

Raman (RAMSIN)

SiliconcarbideRS.jpg

Risks

  • Noncombustible.
  • Contact may cause mechanical irritation.
  • Fisher Scientific: MSDS

Physical and Chemical Properties

  • Cleavage = indistinct
  • Fracture = conchoidal
  • Luster = adamantine to metallic
  • Streak = greenish gray
  • Fluorescence = inert to orange-red
  • Dispersion = 0.104 (extreme fire)
Composition SiC
Mohs Hardness 9.25
Density 3.22-3.23 g/ml
Refractive index 2.654 - 2.967
Birefringence 0.043 (strong doubling)

Comparisons

Natural and Simulated Diamonds

Resources and Citations

  • G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 713
  • Gem Identification Lab Manual, Gemological Institute of America, 2016.
  • The Merck Index, Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983 Comment: entry 8636
  • Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: silicon carbide" [Accessed July 26, 2002].
  • Wikipedia: Moissanite (Accessed Dec 2022)