“This moissanite is originally imported from the United States, and the quality is absolutely guaranteed.” The salesperson in the jewelry store makes such a firm promise. But the truth is, the “American moissanite” you paid a high price for is very likely from a laboratory somewhere in Guangxi, China. Today, let’s uncover the secrets behind this hundred-billion-yuan industry that many sellers are unwilling to reveal.
Index
- 1. The Mystery of Moissanite’s Birth
- 2. The Collapse of the American Moissanite Myth
- 3. The Global Rise of Chinese Moissanite
- 4. India’s Moissanite Cutting Craftsmanship
- 5. Belgium’s Top-Tier Cutting Excellence
- 6. Global Moissanite Industry Landscape
- 7. How Should Consumers Choose Moissanite?
- 8. The Future of the Moissanite Market
1. The Mystery of Moissanite’s Birth
In 1904, Nobel Prize winner Dr. Henri Moissan discovered this sparkling silicon carbide crystal in a meteorite crater in Arizona. However, natural moissanite is far rarer than people imagine. According to the latest 2023 research published in the International Gemology Journal, the total amount of natural moissanite mined worldwide each year is less than 100 carats, and less than 10 carats reach gemstone quality. This leads to a fact based on a 2023 industry survey: 99.9% of the moissanite you see today is produced in laboratories. From laboratories in North Carolina, USA, to factories in Guangxi, China, scientists grow these “man-made stars” inside special chambers by precisely controlling temperature, pressure, and chemical environments.
2. The Collapse of the American Moissanite Myth
“Let’s turn the clock back to 1998.” That year, Charles & Colvard obtained a key U.S. patent for moissanite (lab-grown silicon carbide gemstones). During the patent protection period, they built strong market dominance in moissanite. According to current data on their official website, moissanite of around 1 carat is typically priced at about US $500–US $1,000.
However, 2015 became a major turning point. As its U.S. product and method patents expired, market competition intensified, and the company’s stock price and market share saw significant declines. Today, the company is more positioned as a jewelry brand focused on design rather than a manufacturer relying solely on technological monopoly. In its 2022 fiscal year annual report, Charles & Colvard (the founder and original monopolist of the moissanite industry) explicitly stated in its “Risk Factors” section that it “relies on third-party suppliers from China, India, and other regions.” This indicates their supply chain has become deeply globalized and that their operations depend on international producers including China and India.
3. The Global Rise of Chinese Moissanite
In the picturesque region of Guilin, Guangxi, lies an astonishing secret: this is the world’s largest moissanite production base. Local laboratories continually push technological innovation, optimize crystal growth processes, improve production efficiency and yield, shortening production cycles from 7 days to 3 days, and raising yields from 60% to over 85%. Some laboratories can grow crystals up to dozens of carats, with quality close to high-end U.S. products:
- Color: D–E
- Clarity: VVS
- Fire dispersion index: above 0.104
4. India’s Moissanite Cutting Craftsmanship
Surat, India — known as the “Diamond City” — has now also become a major moissanite cutting center. Data shows that it undertakes 60% of global moissanite cutting, with more than 50,000 workers.
However, due to differences between workshops, cutting quality varies:
- Cutting precision error usually 3–5°
- Symmetry pass rate below 80%
- Cutting costs only 70% of China’s
Indian cutting is suitable for users seeking cost-effectiveness and daily wear. Chinese cutting balances quality and price. High-end customers tend to choose Belgian cutting, while American-brand moissanite is more suitable for consumers who value design and brand value.
5. Belgium’s Top-Tier Cutting Excellence
In the world of moissanite, another name cannot be ignored—Antwerp, Belgium. This city, with 500 years of diamond-cutting history, has extended its exquisite craftsmanship to moissanite:
- Cutting precision error controlled within 0.5°
- Perfect symmetry for each facet
- Fire dispersion reaches theoretical optimal values
- Cutting cost is 5–8 times that of Indian cutting
Although Belgian-cut moissanite accounts for less than 5% of the global market, its craftsmanship represents the highest standards. Many high-end brands choose to send high-quality Chinese moissanite rough stones to Belgium for cutting to create top-tier product lines.
6. Global Moissanite Industry Landscape
| Evaluation Index | USA | China | India | Belgium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global Production Share | ~5–20% | ~30–50%* | ~5–10% | Small (<5%) |
| Technological Level | High | High | Medium | Top-tier |
| Cost Competitiveness | Medium | High | Medium | Very low |
| Brand Influence | Very strong | Increasing | Weak | High-end, top-tier |
| Main Role | Brand operation | Manufacturing | Cutting | Top-tier cutting |
In-depth Price Analysis:
American-brand moissanite jewelry has the highest premium, mostly paying for brand and design. Products of the same quality sell for 3–5 times the price of Chinese ones. Chinese manufacturing stands out for cost-performance; Indian cutting is low-cost; Belgian cutting is extreme in craftsmanship but limited in volume.
7. How Should Consumers Choose Moissanite?
When facing such a complex market, pay attention to:
1. Origin is not the only standard:
Break the “origin myth.” According to authoritative testing agencies, top Chinese laboratory-grown moissanite matches U.S. products in refractive index, dispersion, and Mohs hardness.
- Refractive index: 2.65–2.67 (standard ≥2.65)
- Dispersion: 0.104 (same as U.S.)
- Mohs hardness: 9.25 (highest standard)
2. Cutting affects value:
- Indian cutting: suitable for daily wear, cost-effective.
- Belgian cutting: top fire, suitable for collector-grade products.
3. Certification is key:
Check GRA or IGI certificates. Pay attention to facet sharpness and fire uniformity rather than origin. A senior gemologist advises:
“Instead of focusing on origin, carefully look at the specific parameters on the GRA or IGI certificate. High-quality moissanite should have clear facet edges and even fire distribution.”
8. The Future of the Moissanite Market
This industry is undergoing major transformation. According to market predictions, by 2025:
- China’s production is expected to rise to about 80% of global output
- Terminal moissanite prices will continue to drop 20–30%
- Large stones above 5 carats will become new favorites
In the U.S., brands are exploring collaborations with designers to create more artistic pieces. In India, cutting workshops are introducing more precise equipment. In China, researchers are developing new-generation CVD growth technology.
The future moissanite market will be more transparent and diverse. As long as consumers pay attention to parameters and certificates, they can make wise choices—because truth is always more powerful than marketing rhetoric.
