Moissanite is a synthetic mineral, also known as silicon carbide, which is used to simulate diamonds. It is becoming quite popular as a diamond substitute because it has a refraction similar to that of a diamond. Further, it is nearly as hard as a diamond and just as thermally conductive, unlike other replicas.

This unique mineral was discovered in 1893 as a small component of a meteorite in Arizona by Dr. Ferdinand Henri Moissan. Naturally occurring moissanite is exceedingly rare, having an appearance similar to that of diamond and a tetrahedral crystalline structure.

However, moissanite jewelry is largely a lab-created stone based on the structure of natural moissanite, which is linked to meteorites. On Mohs scale of hardness, moissanite is 95. It has more brilliance, fire and luster than any hard jewel on earth, including diamond.

Naturally, price also plays a big role in the popularity of moissanite. As a general rule, a moissanite stone retails at about 1/10th the cost a diamond of equal size, this despite the fact that moissanite has an even greater ""sparkle.""

Because the gem is not nearly as expensive as a diamond, the price of a mans moissanite wedding ring will depend more on the material and design of the ring than the stone.

Moissanite is a less expensive though stunningly beautiful alternative to diamonds. While it may not please a woman, who has a special emotional attachments to diamonds, it is an appropriate substitute for a man who loves the look of an expensive stone but does not want to pay the price.