Moissanite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Moissanite
Portrait of Henri Moissan
Formula:
SiC
Colour:
Green, black, blue, colourless, green yellow, yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
9½
Specific Gravity:
3.218 - 3.22
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Named in 1905 after Ferdinand Frederick Henri Moissan (28 September 1852 – 20 February 1907), a French chemist who, after years of research of high-temperature methods and furnaces for the production of carbides and synthetic diamonds, discovered the natural occurrence in the Canyon Diablo meteorite.
Moissan was the first to isolate elemental fluorine and received the 1906 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for that.
Moissan was the first to isolate elemental fluorine and received the 1906 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for that.
Dimorph of:
Moissanite, found as tiny crystals in some meteorites (originally formed in star dust) and kimberlites, is a naturally occurring silicon carbide, SiC (in synthetic form a very important high-performance ceramic, more commonly known as abrasive "carborundum").
A large number of polytypes (predominantly hexagonal or rhombohedral) is known.
Most of the natural moissanite grains are 6H and 15R polytypes (Shiryaev et al., 2011).
An unusual example of rock-forming moissanite, also of kimberlitic origin, is known from Turkey (Di Pierro et al., 2003).
Compare 'UM1982-06-C:Si'.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Moissanite.
A large number of polytypes (predominantly hexagonal or rhombohedral) is known.
Most of the natural moissanite grains are 6H and 15R polytypes (Shiryaev et al., 2011).
An unusual example of rock-forming moissanite, also of kimberlitic origin, is known from Turkey (Di Pierro et al., 2003).
Compare 'UM1982-06-C:Si'.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Moissanite.Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2743
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2743:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
52de1339-75a9-4d81-8f08-7cb622f1d3ac
IMA Classification of Moissanite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1905
Classification of Moissanite
1.DA.
1 : ELEMENTS (Metals and intermetallic alloys; metalloids and nonmetals; carbides, silicides, nitrides, phosphides)
D : Nonmetallic Carbides and Nitrides
A : Nonmetallic carbides
1 : ELEMENTS (Metals and intermetallic alloys; metalloids and nonmetals; carbides, silicides, nitrides, phosphides)
D : Nonmetallic Carbides and Nitrides
A : Nonmetallic carbides
Dana 7th ed.:
1.3.7.1
1.3.8.1
1 : NATIVE ELEMENTS AND ALLOYS
3 : Semi-metals and non-metals
1 : NATIVE ELEMENTS AND ALLOYS
3 : Semi-metals and non-metals
2.1
2 : Carbides, Nitrides, Silicides and Phosphides
2 : Carbides, Nitrides, Silicides and Phosphides
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Moi | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Moissanite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Green, black, blue, colourless, green yellow, yellow
Streak:
Greenish grey
Hardness:
9½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
{0001} Indistinct
{0001} Indistinct
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
3.218 - 3.22 g/cm3 (Measured)
Comment:
3.218 - 3.22, Average = 3.21
Optical Data of Moissanite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 2.616 - 2.757 nε = 2.654 - 2.812
Birefringence:
0.2-0.3
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.038
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Very High
Colour in reflected light:
Pale grey
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
Pale blue to paler blue
Chemistry of Moissanite
Mindat Formula:
SiC
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Moissanite
Polytype:
Formula:
Crystal System:
Class (H-M)
Space Group:
Space Group Setting:
Cell Parameters:
Ratio:
Unit Cell Volume (calc):
Z:
| Moissanite-10R | Moissanite-15R | Moissanite-2H | Moissanite-33R | Moissanite-3C | Moissanite-4H | Moissanite-5H | Moissanite-6H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SiC | |||||||
| Trigonal | Hexagonal | ||||||
| 3m - Ditrigonal Pyramidal | 6mm - Dihexagonal Pyramidal | ||||||
| R3m | P63mc | ||||||
| P63mc | |||||||
| a = 3.08 Å, c = 37.85 Å | a = 3.073 Å, c = 15.08 Å | ||||||
| a:c = 1 : 12.289 | a:c = 1 : 4.907 | ||||||
| V 310.96 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell) | V 123.33 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell) | ||||||
| 6 |
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0004279 | Moissanite | Capitani G C, Di Pierro S, Tempesta G (2007) The 6H-SiC structure model: Further refinement from SCXRD data from a terrestrial moissanite American Mineralogist 92 403-407 |  | 2007 | 150 km NW from Izmir, Turkey | 0 | 293 |
| 0017954 | Moissanite | Ott H (1925) Die Gitterstruktur des Karborunds ( Si C ) I. _cod_database_code 1011053 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 61 515-531 | 1925 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0017910 | Moissanite | Braekken H (1930) Zur Kristallstruktur des kubischen Karborunds _cod_database_code 1010995 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 75 572-573 | 1930 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0011553 | Moissanite | Wyckoff R W G (1963) Second edition. Interscience Publishers, New York, New York Crystal Structures 1 85-237 | 1963 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0017937 | Moissanite | Burdick C, Owen E (1918) The Atomic Structure of Carborundum Determined by X-Rays _cod_database_code 1011031 Journal of the American Chemical Society 40 1749-1759 | 1918 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0015175 | Moissanite | Xu Y N, Ching W Y (1993) Electronic, optical, and structural properties of some wurtzite crystals Physical Review B48 4335-4351 | 1993 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| - Å | () |
Comments:
X-ray powder diffraction data are given on the polytype pages.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Pre-terrestrial "Ur-minerals" | >4.57 |
| 1 : Stellar atmosphere condensates | |
| Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust | >4.50 |
| 7 : Ultramafic igneous rocks | |
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 26 : Hadean detrital minerals | |
| 29 : Lightning-generated minerals | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks | |
| 36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks | |
| Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics | <3.5-2.5 |
| 38 : Ophiolites | |
| 39 : High-𝑃 metamorphism (blueschist, eclogite, ultrahigh 𝑃 facies) |
Type Occurrence of Moissanite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Green hexagonal crystals, isolated by dissolving iron in HCl.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Iron meteroite
Synonyms of Moissanite
Other Language Names for Moissanite
Italian:Moissanite
Portuguese:Moissanite
Russian:Муассанит
Simplified Chinese:莫桑石
Spanish:Moissanita
Muassanita
Muassanita
Traditional Chinese:碳矽石
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Other Information
Notes:
Concentrated sulfuric, nitric, and hydrochloric acids do not decompose it at their boiling point. Attacked by molten lead chromate. Does not burn in oxygen at 1000 C.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Industrial Uses:
Natural moissanite is too rare to be exploited, but synthetic silicon carbide is produdced as an abrasive, and synthetic moissanite crystals are grown to use as a gemstone and diamond simulant.
Internet Links for Moissanite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2743.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Moissanite
Localities for Moissanite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Albania | |
| Wu et al. (2024) |
Atlantic Ocean | |
| Bortnikov et al. (2006, July) |
Australia | |
| Philipp R. Heck et al. (2020) |
| Kubel |
Austria | |
| Grachev et al. (2008) +2 other references |
Azerbaijan | |
| Meteoritics +1 other reference |
Belarus | |
| Levitskiy et al. (2018, July) +1 other reference |
Brazil | |
| Kaminski et al. (2017) +1 other reference |
Bulgaria | |
| Svetoslav Petrussenko et al. (2007) |
| Rappenglück (2022) |
Canada | |
| Newman (2020) |
| Horváth et al. (2013) |
China | |
| Xu (2008) |
| Lin et al. (2002) |
| Kehua Yin (2009) |
| Zhu et al. (2015) |
| Jingsui Yang et al. (2006) |
| Wankang Huang et al. (1978) |
| Leung (1990) +2 other references |
| Zhao |
| Yaxiong Zhong (1980) |
| Yaxiong Zhong (1980) |
| Weiguo Zhong et al. (2003) |
| Jianhong Zhang et al. (1986) |
| Yaxiong Zhong (1980) |
| Yaxiong Zhong (1980) |
| Wenji Bai et al. (2001) +1 other reference |
| Xu et al. (2008) +1 other reference | |
| Xiangzhen et al. (2009) | |
| Zhang et al. (2016) | |
| Zhaochong Zhang et al. (2006) |
| Xue et al. (2022) |
Cuba | |
| Pujol-Solà et al. (2018) |
Czech Republic | |
| AmMin 48:620-634 (1963) | |
| Lee M R et al. (1995) |
| Maria Perraki & Shah Wali Faryad (2014) |
| Rost R.: Doplňky k mineralogii ... |
| Rost R.: Doplňky k mineralogii ... |
Egypt | |
| Yasunori Miura (2009) |
| Belyanin et al. (2017) | |
France | |
| El Mendili et al. (2022) |
Germany | |
| [Moissanite-6H] Thomas et al. (2023) |
| Thomas et al. (2022) |
Hungary | |
| Szakáll-Gatter-Szendrei:Mineral ... |
Israel | |
| [Moissanite-6H] Gems & Gemology +1 other reference |
| J. Hattingh (2019) | |
| Griffin et al. (2021) | |
| Griffin et al. (2016) | |
| [Moissanite-6H] Stan +4 other references |
Kazakhstan | |
| Bespaev H.A. et al. (Almaty, 1999) |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
| Bespaev H.A. et al. (Almaty, 1999) |
Kenya | |
| Waweru (2020) |
Norway | |
| Jørgensen et al. (2001) |
Portugal | |
| Nazzareni et al. (2018) |
Russia | |
| Rappenglück (2022) |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
| Gordeev et al. (2014, January) |
| Mandarino (2000) | |
| Аникин et al. (2018) |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
| Lavrik et al. (2020) |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) | |
| Kvasnytsya et al. (2013) |
| L. N. Novoselova (1986) +1 other reference |
| [Moissanite-6H] Gromilov et al. (2018, August) |
| Plyashkevich et al. (2016) +1 other reference |
| ... |
| M.I. Novgorodova data |
| Molchanov et al. (2011) |
| chemistry and genesis et al. (in Russian) +1 other reference |
| [World of Stones 12:49] | |
| Anthony et al. (2016) | |
| Романенко et al. (Origin of Moissanite in Graphite-bearing Orthopyroxenite from Udachnaya Kimberlite ) |
| Pekov (1998) |
| Koval'skii et al. (1985) +1 other reference |
| Ерохин Ю.В. |
| [Mineralien Welt 6/92:62] |
| Rappenglück (2022) |
| 6th orogenic lherzolite conference 2014 ... +2 other references |
| Rappenglück (2022) |
South Africa | |
| Field et al. (2008) |
| Meyer (2021) |
Tajikistan | |
| Novgorodova M.I. (1996) |
Turkey | |
| Di Pierro et al. (2004) |
| Di Pierro et al. (2003) |
| Xiong et al. (2022) |
Ukraine | |
| Rappenglück (2022) | |
| Rappenglück (2022) |
| Rappenglück (2022) |
| in: Jambor et al. (1920) +1 other reference |
| Yatsenko et al. (2020) | |
| G.M.Yatsenko et al. (2000) +1 other reference |
| Nittler et al. (____) |
USA (TL) | |
| Am Min 77 (1992) |
| AmMin 48:620-634 (1963) | |
| Lee M R et al. (1995) |
| [Moissanite-3C] REGIS (1958) |
Uzbekistan | |
| Golovko et al. (2010) |
| Yusupov et al. (2009) |
162173 Ryugu | |
Outer Space | |
The Moon | |
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Puiva Mount, Saranpaul, Berezovo district, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, Russia