mineral

Silicon Carbide (Carborundum)

Moissanite (SiC), though mostly synthetic

Hardness: 9.0-9.5 (Mohs scale), Color: iridescent black, green, or blue, Luster: Adamantine to metallic, Crystal structure: Hexagonal, Cleavage: None, Specific gravity: 3.21

Hardness: 9

Identified May 20, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 9.0-9.5 (Mohs scale), Color: iridescent black, green, or blue, Luster: Adamantine to metallic, Crystal structure: Hexagonal, Cleavage: None, Specific gravity: 3.21

Formation & geological history

Natural Moissanite is extremely rare and found in meteorites or as inclusions in diamonds. Most specimens like this are synthetic, produced by the Acheson process involving the heating of silica sand and carbon in an electric furnace.

Uses & applications

Used as an abrasive in sandpaper, grinding wheels, and cutting tools. It is also used in high-temperature electronics, brake discs, and as a diamond simulant in jewelry.

Geological facts

It is one of the hardest known substances, nearly as hard as diamond. The synthetic version was first created by Edward Acheson in 1891 while he was trying to create artificial diamonds.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its extreme hardness and characteristic rainbow-like iridescence on a black or gray base. It often appears as aggregates of sharp, needle-like crystals.

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