When shopping for gemstone jewelry, one of the most important characteristics to consider is the fire of the gemstone. Fire is what gives gemstones their dazzling brilliance, creating a sparkle that catches the eye and enhances their overall beauty. But what exactly is gemstone fire, and how does moissanite compare to other gemstones, including diamonds?
What Is Gemstone Fire?
Gemstone fire refers to the colorful flashes of light you see when light enters the gemstone, reflects off its internal facets, and is dispersed into different wavelengths. These colors, often appearing as a rainbow of hues, are known as dispersion in gemology.
When light strikes a gemstone, it is refracted by the internal facets and broken down into its spectral colors. This process creates the vibrant flashes of color you see, making the gemstone sparkle and come to life. The more intense the fire, the more visually captivating the gemstone appears.
What Gives a Gemstone Its Fire?
A gemstone’s fire is determined by a property known as dispersion. Dispersion is the ability of a gemstone to split white light into its component colors as the light passes through. The higher the dispersion, the more noticeable the fire.
Gemstones with higher dispersion values show more fire, leading to a more colorful and brilliant appearance. In colorless and near-colorless gemstones like moissanite or diamond, fire plays a crucial role in enhancing their brilliance, making them appear more lively and radiant.
Does Fire Affect the Price of a Gem?
Yes, fire does indirectly affect the price of a gemstone. The more vibrant and intense the fire, the higher the quality of the cut, and this can increase the value of the gemstone. A well-cut gemstone will emit maximum fire and brilliance. On the other hand, a poorly cut stone that is too shallow or deep may cause light to leak out, diminishing its fire and overall appearance.
For colorless gemstones like moissanite and diamonds, fire is especially important, as it adds to their visual appeal and makes them stand out even more. A gemstone that exhibits more fire will look more brilliant and captivating, contributing to a higher price.
Moissanite vs Diamond Fire: Does Moissanite Have More Fire?
One of the most impressive features of moissanite is its fire. Moissanite’s fire is far greater than that of a diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald, and most other popular gemstones.
The dispersion value of moissanite is 0.104, meaning it has 2.4 times the fire of a diamond (which has a dispersion of 0.044). To put it into perspective:
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Moissanite: 0.104
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Diamond: 0.044
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Ruby: 0.018
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Sapphire: 0.018
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Emerald: 0.014
Moissanite boasts 5.7 times more fire than ruby, and 7.4 times more fire than sapphire and emerald. This makes moissanite the most brilliant gemstone in terms of fire—no other gemstone, whether natural or man-made, can compare to the dazzling brilliance of moissanite.
Will Moissanite Lose Its Fire?
One of the key advantages of moissanite is its longevity. Moissanite will never lose its fire. Unlike some gemstones that may dull or fade over time, moissanite retains its incredible brilliance throughout its lifetime. In fact, moissanite is known for its ability to stay as brilliant as the day you bought it, making it a perfect choice for engagement rings and other jewelry worn daily.
To provide extra peace of mind, moissanite comes with a Lifetime Warranty, guaranteeing that your moissanite will always retain its fire and brilliance, ensuring that it will remain just as stunning as the day you purchased it.
Extra Resources:
If you want to learn more about moissanite and its unique properties, check out our Moissanite FAQ page.
Want to see how moissanite compares to other popular white gemstones? Read our detailed comparisons of moissanite vs diamonds and moissanite vs white sapphire on our blog.
