Long Old Mine Cushion Cut in Smoky Moissanite 8.9ct

This is a long old mine cushion which I cut in smoky moissanite, modeled after Taylor Swift's engagement ring stone.  It weighs in at 8.9ct and measures 16.4x11.5mm.

Note that this stone has some sparkly growth needles running down the length (hence why it couldn't be used for computer chips).

This is moissanite, also known as silicon carbide. It is an excellent gem, with incredible hardness (around 9.25-9.5) and greater brilliance and fire than a diamond. It is perfect for use in all kinds of jewelry.

Though it is well known in the gem world it is also highly valued in the world of science and industry. It is a semiconductor just like pure silicon but far more durable and heat-resistant, so it is used to make computer chips that need to endure high stress environments like in a car engine. Fortunately for us these uses require very exacting standards and sometimes crystals are rejected.  These crystals had growth defects, resulting in hollow needles and carbon clusters which ruined them for semiconductor usage but left enough clean zones (after extensive trimming) to facet brilliant gems.

Though the gem world sometimes thinks of it only as a diamond stand-in I prefer to think of it as a gem all its own. It has greater luster, more brilliance and fire and a cooler range of colors than diamonds do and I just find it more appealing visually.