Moissanite
Description
An extremely hard synthetic Abrasive. Silicon carbide was discovered in 1884 by E.G. Acheson and named Carborundum. He made it made by fusing Coke with Sand in 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.
Synonyms and Related Terms
silicon carbide; Siliziumcarbid (Deut.); carbure de silicium; siliciumcarbide (Ned.); kiselkarbid (Sven.); Forever One; Forever Brilliant; Forever Classic; Amora
Risks
- May produce a hazy glaze if residues are left on biscuit.
- Noncombustible.
- Potential carcinogen.
- Contact may cause mechanical irritation.
- Fisher Scientific: MSDS
Physical and Chemical Properties
- Cleavage = indistinct
- Fracture = conchoidal
- Luster = adamantine to metallic
- Streak = greenish gray
- Fluorescence = 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)