What makes a gemstone sparkle? Understanding the three types of light performance helps you appreciate moissanite's exceptional optical properties.
Brilliance: White Light Return
Brilliance is the amount of white light reflected back to the viewer. It depends on cut quality, refractive index, and proportions. Moissanite's high refractive index (2.65) gives it excellent brilliance.
Fire: Color Dispersion
Fire is the flashes of spectral colors (rainbow) seen as the stone moves. Moissanite's dispersion of 0.104 is more than double diamond's 0.044, giving it extraordinary fire — the most of any gemstone used in jewelry.
Scintillation: Sparkle Pattern
Scintillation is the pattern of light and dark areas as the stone or viewer moves. It's created by the facet arrangement. Well-cut moissanite exhibits dynamic scintillation with bright flashes and contrasting dark areas.
Why Moissanite Sparkles More
The combination of high refractive index (brilliance), exceptional dispersion (fire), and precise cutting creates a stone that sparkles from every angle. In dim lighting, moissanite often outperforms diamond because its higher dispersion captures more ambient light.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can moissanite be too sparkly?
Some customers prefer diamond's subtler sparkle. We recommend viewing both stones in different lighting to determine personal preference.
Does cut affect sparkle?
Absolutely. A poorly cut stone, regardless of material, will have poor light performance. Cut is the most important factor for sparkle.
Conclusion
Moissanite's exceptional light performance makes it one of the most brilliant gemstones available. Holycome's master cutters ensure every stone maximizes brilliance, fire, and scintillation. Contact service@holycome.com to see our sparkle in person.
