Fifty thousand years ago, a meteorite containing a unique secret landed in the Arizona desert.

It wasn't until 1893 that scientist Dr. Henri Moissan - who later received the Nobel price for chemistry - examined samples taken from the meteorite's crater and discovered particles of an intriguing new mineral, silicon carbide (later named "moissanite" in his honor).

Natural moissanite crystals large enough for use in jewelry are extremely rare - found in limited quantities or as small particles.  However, almost 100 years after Dr. Moissan's amazing discovery, science developed a way to duplicate this gift from the stars.

Discovered by Charles & Colvard

Early in the 1980's, a prominent U.S. scientist predicted that moissanite could have a place in the jewelry industry if the secrets of natural moissanite could be duplicated for growing large crystals.  Soon after, a proprietary process was developed for producing large, gem-quality crystals - and when a master diamond cutter suggested faceting them to make a highly durable and brilliant jewels, Charles & Colvard Moissanite was born.