What Is Dispersion (Fire) in a Gemstone?
Those rainbow flashes have a name — and moissanite has them in abundance.
When a stone throws off little flashes of rainbow color, that is “fire” — and the science behind it is called dispersion. It is one of the most captivating qualities a gem can have. Here is what it means.
Dispersion, simply put
Dispersion is a stone's ability to split white light into its rainbow colors, like a prism. Those colorful flashes are what jewelers call “fire.” The more dispersion, the more vivid the colored sparkle.
Fire vs brilliance
Brilliance is the white light a stone returns; fire is the colored light. A great stone shows both. They work together with scintillation (the twinkle as it moves) — all set up by good faceting, as explained in How Facets Create Sparkle.
Why moissanite is famous for fire
Moissanite has notably high dispersion — higher than diamond — so it shows more of those colorful flashes. Many people choose it precisely because they love this lively, fiery sparkle.
Does more fire mean better?
It is a matter of taste. Some adore lots of fire; others prefer a more restrained, icy-white look. Neither is wrong — it is about the sparkle you love. Compare stones in Moissanite Fire & Brilliance.
FAQs
What is fire in a gemstone?
Fire is the flashes of rainbow color a stone gives off, caused by dispersion — the splitting of white light into its colors.
Does moissanite have more fire than diamond?
Yes — moissanite has higher dispersion, so it shows more colorful flashes, which many people love.
Catch the Fire
Explore handcrafted moissanite rings, famous for their fiery sparkle.
Shop Moissanite Rings
Leave a comment