• Moissanite is a rare mineral of the class of natural carbides of the composition SiC (silicon carbide). It forms small, colorless crystals with a diamond sheen.

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• Moissanite is like a diamond: it is transparent and solid (8.5–9.25 on the Mohs scale, compared to 10 for diamond) with a refractive index of 2.65–2.69 (compared to 2.42 for diamond).

• Moissanite can have strong birefringence, which also distinguishes it from diamond.

• The thermal conductivity of moissanite is high, as is the case with diamond. With a little heating, a thermochromic effect is manifested - starting from about 65 ° C, the color of moissanite gradually changes depending on the temperature. This property, as well as higher electrical conductivity, is also used to distinguish between moissanite and diamond.

• When irradiated with ultraviolet light, it fluoresces in orange-red.