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How to Make Synthetic Moissanite

Moissanite gemstones have found a place in the world of fashion jewelry. In 1893 a meteorite crashed. A substance was discovered that was later named Moissanite or naturally occurring silicon carbide. The crystals were very small, the commercial value seemed limited. Eventually a process was discovered to grow Moissanite, creating larger crystals used in jewelry.

Things You'll Need

A manufacturing plant that makes SiC (Silicone Carbine) crystals
Silicon sand
Carbon
A vendor to cut and polish the preform
Tools to cut the preform
A distribution system for the finished Moissanite

Instructions

- 1
  Combine silica sand and carbon at high temperature and pressure until a crystal is formed. Send the crystal off to Charles &Colvard where the crystals are cut into smaller pieces called preforms. Send the preforms to vendors to cut and polish.
- 2
  Cut the preforms and attach it to a dop, which is a guidance tool to help with the process of grinding. The preform, that is attached to the dop, is put on a machine that is called a faceting machine. The faceting machine goes in a circle much like a disc sander's pad.
- 3
  Shape, cut and polish preform. The spinning section of the faceting machine is made of metal, either steel or aluminum, and industrial grade diamonds which are embedded in it, like sand on the sandpaper. As it spins, the dop is guided and rotated leaving the preform smooth and even.
- 4
  Cut and polish the girdle, the section that is the edge where the setting grasps, after you have polished the pavilion, the lower part of the stone.
- 5
  Remove the crystal from the dop and turn it upside down so that the crown or the top, is showing. Cut and polish the crown facets. Polish the table which is the flat top of the stone.
- 6
  Return the stone to Charles &Colvard for grading, inspection, sorting, and shipping to various jewelry stores.

Rocks & Minerals