If you're considering moissanite for an engagement ring or another piece of jewelry, understanding how moissanite gets graded is essential so that you can buy the best value jewelry within your budget.

In this blog, we'll take you through the intriguing process of evaluating this gemstone's quality and introduce you to the significance of the GRA (Gemological Research Authority) certificate.

Clarity

Clarity is one of the primary factors used to grade moissanite, revealing the number of inclusions present within the stone. Inclusions are tiny imperfections, and nearly all gemstones have them. However, the good news for moissanite enthusiasts is that most of its inclusions are not visible to the naked eye and require intense magnification to be seen.

Moissanite's clarity is classified into five easily understandable categories:

1. FL, IF: Flawless and internally flawless
2. VVS1, VVS2: Very, very slightly included
3. VS1, VS2: Very slightly included
4. SI1, SI2: Slightly included
5. I1, I2, I3: Included

Common moissanite inclusions include:

• Needles: Thin, needle-like imperfections that are difficult to observe without close examination. They usually do not compromise the stone's beauty.
• Mineral Crystals: These are crystals that can appear light or dark within the stone.
• Clouds: Milky-looking spots within the stone, actually clusters of needle and crystal inclusions.
• Feathers: Miniature fractures that resemble cracks or feathers within the gem. It's best to avoid moissanite with many feathers to ensure structural integrity.
• Knots: White or transparent crystal-like inclusions that should be minimized for structural integrity.
• Chips: Shallow openings on the stone's surface, often resulting from accidental damage during daily wear.
• Cavities: Openings on the stone's surface that can trap dirt and oil, leading to unsightly dark spots.

Cut Grade

Cut grade is a crucial aspect of moissanite grading, denoting how well a stone is cut. It ranges from Excellent to Poor. A well-cut moissanite allows light to travel through the stone, creating a sparkling and radiant appearance, while a poorly cut stone can make it appear lifeless.

• The cut grade chart:
• Excellent
• Very Good
• Good
• Fair
• Poor

Carat Weight

Carat weight represents the stone's physical weight. Moissanite's lower density compared to diamonds makes direct weight comparisons challenging. Instead, moissanite's "carat weight" is denoted by its size in millimeters. For example, a one carat moissanite is roughly equivalent to a 0.8 to 6 mm moissanite.

Best Grade of Moissanite

Although the ideal grades may differ based on individual preferences, we suggest selecting a moissanite with color grades ranging from D to F, clarity grades falling between FL and VS1, and a cut grade of Excellent or Very Good.

GRA Certificate

A GRA certificate is a valuable report that accompanies your moissanite jewelry purchase. It contains comprehensive information about the stone, including its shape, cutting style, measurements, carat weight, color grade, clarity grade, cut grade, polish, symmetry, fluorescence, and clarity characteristics. This detailed information provides you with a deeper understanding of your moissanite stone's type and properties.