Moissanite originally referred to a rare mineral discovered by Henry Moissan. It has a chemical formula SiC and various crystalline polymorphs. Earlier, this material Silicon carbide had been synthesized in the laboratory.

Mineral moissanite was discovered by Henry Moissan , while he was examining rock samples from a meteor crater located in Canyon Diablo in Arizona, in 1893.

At first, he identified the crystals as diamonds, but in 1904 he identified the crystals as silicon carbide.The mineral form of silicon carbide was named moissanite in honor of Moissan later.

Until the 1950s no source other than meteorites, had been found. Later moissanite was found as inclusion in kimberlite from a diamond mine in Yakutia in 1959, and in the Green River formation in Wyoming in 1958.

Moissanite, in its natural form, is very rare. It has only been discovered in the upper mantle rock and meteorites. Discoveries have shown that moissanite occurs naturally as inclusions in diamonds.

Moissanite has several applications. Since 1998, it has been regarded as an excellent fine jewel, with optical properties exceeding those of diamond. But it has its own unique appearance

Moissanite gemstones are sometimes marketed under the trademark “Berzelian,” a reference to the work of Berzelius on SiC.

Because of its hardness, it is useful for high-pressure experiments competing with or even replacing diamonds. Synthetic moissanite has electronic and thermal applications because its is similar to diamonds in its thermal conductivity.