Morganite rings are head turners! They make beautiful engagement rings, wedding rings, and promise rings, but will they stand the test of time?
Are Morganite rings durable? Morganite rings are durable, but they aren’t indestructible. Morganite is a 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. That makes the stone hard enough to resist moderate wear, but not hard enough to resist abuse or carelessness. Diamonds are much harder, but they also cost at least 10 times as much.
Durability is a big deal when it comes to the rings we use to mark significant relationship milestones. In the paragraphs that follow, we’ll explore many aspects of Morganite’s durability.
How Hard is Morganite?
The hardness of stones is typically communicated in terms of the Mohs Scale of Hardness. The scale quantifies ‘relative’ hardness (or how hard one stone is in relation to another), rather than providing an ‘absolute,’ or independent, hardness measurement.
Morganite is a 7.5 to 8 on the scale, but that information only has meaning if you know the hardness score of other stones—so you can tell if Morganite is harder or softer than each of them.
Friedrich Mohs created this scale in 1812, by taking 10 rocks and doing scratch testing with them to figure out which was hardest, which was the second hardest, third hardest, etc. After making those observations, he assigned the lowest number (a ‘1’) to the softest rock in his test, and the highest score (a ‘10’) to the hardest rock. All other rocks were arranged from hardest to softest and assigned a number as well.
The following chart shows the Mohs Scale of Hardness. Notice where Morganite falls (and the stones that are harder and softer).
Can Morganite be Worn Everyday?
Morganite IS durable enough for everyday wear, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t need to exercise some care and precaution in order to keep your rings safe. In fact, even though diamonds are the hardest stone on earth, they aren’t indestructible. If you aren’t careful, they can scratch.
Diamonds can also fracture or break if they’re dropped. Hard to believe right? Diamonds are incredibly hard (scratch resistant), but that also leaves them brittle. What’s the implication? Hit a diamond with a hammer, and it will likely break in two or shatter. My little sister’s engagement ring fell off a counter and hit their tile floor. The diamond broke on impact—diamonds are hard but brittle.
Morganite is less hard…but also less brittle. It likely wouldn’t crack in two if you dropped it onto a tile floor. In that particular aspect, Morganite is MORE durable than diamond.
What can Scratch Morganite?
Since Morganite rates between 7.5 and 8 on Mohs Scale of hardness, anything that rates higher (anything harder) would certainly be capable of scratching Morganite. Saphire is a 9, and diamond is a 10 on the scale, for example, so both are capable of easily scratching Morganite if the stones come in contact with each other.
Storing loose rings together where they can make contact with each other is asking for trouble! You should store your rings so they can’t possibly come in contact with other jewelry items when you aren’t wearing them. If you don’t have a jewelry box that can separate rings well, you may need to take a more creative approach.
- Store your rings in a plastic pill sorter (the kind that has different compartments representing different days of the week). The container should be able to keep each ring in its own little space.
- Put each ring in individual Ziploc bags.
- Wrap them in toilet paper and then apply a little tape to hold the toilet paper in place.
- Hollow out some space in a packing peanut (about the same size as your ring), and then shove your ring into it until the ring fits snuggly and the peanut offers good protection.
In addition to the danger posed by harder gems, other items that you come across in your everyday environment may be hard enough to scratch Morganite as well. As you grab and hold things, carry objects, or swing your arms as you walk, your ring may accidentally come in contact with objects and materials that are capable of scratching it.
This is where being cautious with your ring really pays big dividends. While Morganite is a relatively hard stone, it still can, and will, scratch with the right brush or impact.
It would be impossible to create an exhaustive list of all the things you may come in contact with that are capable of scratching Morganite. In reality, the list could never be fully accurate, because part of the equation may also relate to force.
As an example, imagine that I very lightly ran a stone over a brick without applying any pressure at all. If the stone doesn’t get scratched by that encounter, it doesn’t mean that bricks CAN’T scratch the stone. If I repeated the same experiment, but this time pushed down on the stone with as much force as I can as I pulled it across the surface of the brick, my outcome could change. This just illustrates that there are multiple factors at play when it comes to protecting your rings.
It’s best to get in the habit of removing your ring before doing things like yard work, heavy exercise, or hobbies that might endanger it.
Does Morganite Get Cloudy?
In the early days of Cubic Zirconia, the stones would often start to take on a milky-white haze with time. People often refer to that type of change as ‘clouding’.
Morganite isn’t a stone that naturally clouds with time. It is possible that contact with harsh chemicals could cause the stone to take on a cloudy appearance, so I’d definitely recommend removing your ring before cleaning with household cleaners or handling other chemicals.
A more common cause of some clouding is the combination of dirt and oils that your ring is exposed to over the course of time. Your skin produces oils that can get on your stone over time, but applying lotions, sunscreen, cooking, and other similar products and activities can sometimes coat your stone in a film that can make it less clear and vibrant than normal. The good news, is that this form of clouding typically just requires a good cleaning to remedy.
We’ll talk about some simple options for cleaning your Morganite ring in a moment.
Does Morganite Lose its Color?
Morganite is often treated to enhance the color of the stone, making it more vibrant. The treatment is referred to as irradiation or heat treatment—they’re really just two names for the same process. Some claim that their enhanced Morganite ring HAS faded with time and prolonged exposure to the sun.
It’s hard to say why that would happen because Morganite is a stable stone that shouldn’t fade. The process used for enhancing the color of Morganite is a permanent treatment. It also shouldn’t fade at all with time or intense light exposure. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) also claims that Morganite (even treated Morganite) will not fade.
While I believe that’s the experience of most Morganite owners (including my wife), it’s hard to refute the fact that some people evidently do experience some fading with their particular ring. It’s difficult to say what’s different with their stones. There’s some speculation that some of the “Morganite” stones that experience fading are imitation Morganite. An imitation stone could be made of a material like glass, or it could be another stone—like Kunzite—which is famous for fading with light exposure.
Kunzite is so well known as a fading stone, that it’s long been called the ‘evening stone.’ The nickname comes from the fact that people typically only wear Kunzite in the evening (when the sun isn’t out). When exposed to sunlight, the Kunzite’s color washes out, permanently fading the stone.
As an interesting side note, George Kunz, the same man that discovered Morganite, also discovered Kunzite in 1902. He named the stone after himself, which is perhaps one more reason that he chose to later name Morganite after his banking friend, JP Morgan.
Potential Problems with Morganite Rings
ALL stones used in rings have both benefits and drawbacks. Highlighting the potential problems with Morganite rings in this section isn’t intended to imply that the stone is problematic, or should be avoided. My wife has two Morganite rings, and loves them!
This section is simply a convenience. It frames the core issues that some might view as potential negatives, so you can be sure you’re aware.
Morganite is softer than some other stones: Again, Morganite rates between 7.5 and 8 on Mohs Scale of Hardness. That’s not bad, but it’s also not ideal either. By comparison, a colored Cubic Zirconia rates 8 to 8.5. A colored Sapphire is rated at 9.
Even though the difference between those numbers isn’t huge (numerically), the resulting difference in hardness (scratch resistance) can be significant. If a Morganite stone gets too scratched or scuffed over time, it can be re-polished to make it look like new again.
Fading may be possible for some stones, though it isn’t likely: We discussed this issue above. Review that section if you haven’t already.
The color may clash with certain metals and gemstones: The peachy-pink coloring of this stone may not pair well with a variety of metals and colored gems. Yellow gold is an example of a metal that can sometimes clash with the look of Morganite. Rose Gold, on the other hand, can be stunning! Emerald (green) is an example of a gem that also might not pair well with the coloring of Morganite.
The cost is higher than some alternatives: Morganite is far less expensive than many gems (including Sapphire and diamond), but it’s significantly more expensive than colored Cubic Zirconia for example. Because Cubic Zirconia can be more scratch-resistant AND costs less, it feels like a better fit for some.
Can Morganite Get Wet?
You should keep your Morganite ring away from water as much as you can. You can wash the stone with water when needed, however other types of contact with water could have negative consequences with repeated exposure over time.
I’ll provide more information on how to clean and care for your Morganite below.
Here are a few examples of water-related activities that you should remove your Morganite ring for:
- Showering
- Swimming
- Soaking in a hot tub
- Playing in the ocean
- Washing your hands
Why remove your ring for all these different encounters with water? There are several reasons actually.
- There is Chlorine in tap water—and an even higher concentration of Chlorine in the pool and hot tub water. Chlorine is a chemical that probably wouldn’t be good for Morganite, but it also attacks gold, doing microscopic damage that progresses over time. The greatest risk is weakened prongs. When prongs bend or break, the Morganite center stone could be lost.
- Dissolved minerals can settle on the surface of your Morganite in the form of hard water. Those deposits could lead to scratching, but they can also just create a film that blocks light flow and dulls the appearance of your ring until the stone is cleaned.
- Like Chlorine, saltwater is hard on gold and could lead to weakened prongs that eventually bend or break. Ocean water also has sand, shells, and other debris that might also lead to scratching or other damage.
Again, the impact of exposure to water typically isn’t immediate. The repercussions could take years to surface, so it’s easy to look at your ring and feel like no harm is being done. As I mentioned earlier, the early damage would require a microscope, and some experience to spot.
My wife has removed her ring for very little through the years. After more than a decade, a couple of the prongs bent, and she nearly lost her center stone. It’s best to avoid contact with water outside of occasional cleanings.
How do I clean a cloudy morganite ring?
When Morganite loses its glimmer, the cause is typically temporary and fixable. I’ll show you how to make Morganite sparkle again.
Basic cleaning is simple. Start with a warm bowl of water and some mild dish soap. Dawn is a popular brand that tends to do well. A small bottle of dish soap will typically cost $2.00 or less. You’ll also need a soft toothbrush that’s made for babies. You can typically find those at a neighborhood Dollar Store. Again, make sure that it’s a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Dip the toothbrush bristles in the warm soapy water and then gently scrub the ring. Work your way along each surface, and carefully scrub around each prong. Get the bristles under the center stone too if you can.
Once you’re done scrubbing the ring, rinse it with warm clean water and then gently dab it dry with a soft, and clean, towel. It may also help to use a blow drier on a cool setting to ensure the ring is COMPLETELY dry before slipping it back on your finger.
Can Morganite Go in an Ultrasonic Cleaner?
Handwashing with the method described above is the safest and most gentle, but Morganite is typically safe to clean with an Ultrasonic cleaner too. I say ‘typically,’ simply because any inclusions or filled fractures in a particular stone could potentially give them weak points or vulnerabilities that other similar stones wouldn’t have.
How often should I clean my morganite ring?
Cleaning frequency depends entirely on where, and how, you use your Morganite ring. I would suggest visually inspecting your ring every 3 to 4 weeks to see if it’s time for a cleaning. If the ring looks more muted or dull than normal, a cleaning should restore it, making it clear and vibrant again.
How Long do Morganite Rings Last?
Exactly how long Morganite lasts, again, depends on how it is worn and cared for. Diamonds and Moissanite are both hard enough to be considered ‘forever’ stones. Their hardness makes them so durable, and scratch-resistant, that they can literally last for generations. Morganite IS NOT considered a ‘forever stone.’ This doesn’t mean that Morganite is a disposable stone, or that it will typically only last a few years. As a matter of fact, Morganite is considered a relatively hard stone, and could last you for decades with proper care and attention.
Morganite won’t just disintegrate over time, but it can collect scratches over time that detract from its beauty and affect the flow of light in the stone. In the next section, I’ll mention how to take care of scratches once you’ve gotten to the point where you want to address them.
Removing Scratches and Scuffs From Morganite
Once scratches have accumulated on the surface of your Morganite ring to the point that they’re really interfering with the look and feel of your ring, you can have your Morganite stone re-polished. The polishing process will completely renew the look of your ring, giving you a fresh and clean surface again.
In Summary
Morganite is a gorgeous choice for engagement rings and rings that mark other special occasions. While it isn’t the hardest stone available, it still is relatively hard and is capable of being used for everyday wear.
If scratches pile up and start to really affect the look and feel of the stone, you can also ways have a jeweler repolish the stone to remove scratches and make it look like a brand new stone again!