Crystal Description
Silicon Carbide is a compound of silicon and carbon formed by either the furnace method, chemical vapour disposition or thermal decomposition of a polymer. Natural Silicon Carbide is extremely rare, and known as the mineral Moissanite.
Silicon Carbide has many industrial uses including carborundum™, and synthetic Moissanite is created for the jewellery trade, very similar and often confused as Diamond. Pure Silicon Carbide is colourless. The brown to black colour of industrial product results from iron impurities.
Rainbow-like carborundum™ crystals make interesting specimens and is caused by a passivation layer of silicon dioxide that forms on the surface.
Details
Colour:
silver grey to black, iridescent
Class:
Element
Group:
Compounds
Chemical Composition:
SiC
Hardness:
7 to 9
Lustre:
metallic, opaque
Varieties:
Moissanite
https://www.spiritofisis.org/knowledge/crystal_files/silicon_carbide.htm