gemhound90

What you a refereeing to is Synthetic Moissanite. Natural Moissanite is extremely rare(largest crystal 3cm). Synthetic Moissanite has a range of hardness (8.5-9.25). You see more fire in Synthetic Moissanite because its a double-refractive stone(light goes in get split), diamond is single refractive(reliant on how its cut to bring the best fire out).

I can help with GIA question. The graduate gemologist is a 6 month course(strict rules). 2 months diamonds and 4 months colored stones. They teach how to identify and grade to GIA standards. Graduate jeweler haven't done personally but have many friends whom have been through the program(in short it's jewelry making). Learning how to cut the stones GIA doesn't teach.