Moissanite is a super hard and durable stone. It repels dirt and grease even better than diamonds, so they often require less care and maintenance. While that’s helpful, moissanite rings will still need occasional cleaning to keep them looking as bright and sparkly as possible.
To clean your moissanite ring, either put it through an ultrasonic cleaner or wash it in a small bowl of warm water with mild dish soap. Gently scrub away dirt using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Avoid abrasive cleaners! Rinse your ring well with fresh water and dry it thoroughly using a soft cloth
We spoke to several jewelers to learn everything it takes to clean and care for a moissanite ring – how often you should clean them, the best ways to clean them, and how you can keep your Moissanite from getting cloudy or stained. We’ll share more detail on 3 key cleaning methods and lots of helpful precautions below.
Do You Have To Clean Moissanite Jewelry?
One of the advantages of Moissanite is that the crystal contains silicon as well as carbon (diamond is pure carbon). Because of the difference in composition, Moissanite can repel grease and dirt from its surface.
Moissanite stays clean and sparkly for much longer than diamond. Because of this, Moissanite rings tend to need less frequent cleaning and care in general.
Even though Moissanite is a fairly low-maintenance stone, you should still clean it periodically. Cleaning Moissanite is a quick and simple process that keeps the stone looking as clear and sparkly as possible.
Moissanite tends to develop what is known as an “oil slick”—a surface-level stain that has a rainbow-like, iridescent appearance, similar to motor oil. If left untreated, oil slick stains can grow, becoming more visible. Also, the longer they are left on the stone, the more difficult they are to remove.
Oil slick stains on Moissanite often appear when it comes in contact with harsh substances like hand sanitizer, chemicals in soaps, lotions, cleaning detergents, hair gel, hairspray, and even mineral-rich water over time.
Regular cleaning can help prevent this type of stain from forming on the surface of your stone. Here’s a link to another post where you can learn more about how to prevent and treat oil slick stains on your Moissanite.
Does Moissanite Get Cloudy?
Moissanite won’t discolor or turn cloudy; however, because Cubic Zirconia (CZ) sometimes does go cloudy, some needlessly worry that Moissanite may behave similarly. In reality, CZ is a manufactured stone with a completely different makeup than Moissanite. CZ is a much softer, more porous stone. It’s also not chemically stable on its own. Cubic Zirconia needs to have special stabilizing agents added to help it stay clear. When manufacturers cut corners by skipping or skimping on quality stabilizers, the stone can discolor or get cloudy and dull over time. Unfortunately, this kind of clouding isn’t reversible in Cubic Zirconia—you can’t fix it, no matter how much, or how well, you clean the stone.
Again, Moissanite will never become cloudy or lose its brilliance and clarity simply because it’s aging. As with diamonds, or any other stone, Moissanite can have its sparkle muted, to some degree, as it picks up grease and dirt over time. Dirt and oils in your everyday environment can cause a film to build up on the stone’s surface, making it appear cloudy. This form of cloudiness is just on the stone’s surface, and it’s temporary. It can easily be cleaned away with minimal effort, restoring the stone’s original beauty.
Moissanite will develop a cloudy appearance more quickly if you frequently expose the ring to soaps, lotions, cosmetics, hard water, or seawater. If you take your ring off before swimming, washing your hands, and doing the dishes, you won’t need to clean the ring as often.
How Often To Clean A Moissanite Ring
Cleaning your Moissanite regularly will ensure that your ring stays sparkly and continues to look brand new. But how often will you need to clean your moissanite jewelry?
The ideal cleaning schedule for your moissanite ring will mostly depend on how much you wear it. If you only wear the ring occasionally, you’ll probably only need to clean it every six months or so. On the other hand, if it’s an engagement or wedding ring that you’re constantly wearing, you should probably plan to clean the ring once a month.
Best Ways To Keep Your Moissanite Ring Clean And Sparkly
There are many different ways to clean a moissanite ring. We asked three highly experienced jewelers about the best methods for cleaning a moissanite ring.
- The best way to clean a moissanite ring is using warm water, a little mild dish soap, and a soft-bristled brush.
- Silver polishing cream or a commercial jewelry cleaning solution can be another great way to clean a moissanite ring. You should clean the stone using a soft, non-abrasive cloth or a soft-bristled brush.
- Jewelers also recommend using an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner from time-to-time, to give your moissanite ring a professional deep clean.
DIY Jewelry Cleaner For Moissanite
You don’t have to have a bottle of commercial jewelry cleaner lying around your home before you can be successful at cleaning your ring. As I mentioned earlier, Warm water, a mild detergent, and a soft-bristled toothbrush can work wonders.
Only use soap that doesn’t contain harsh chemicals, fragrances, or moisturizers. You don’t want anything that’s likely to leave a chemical film on the stone’s surface.
You need to look for a soft-bristled brush (an old toothbrush works well). I typically purchase a soft infant toothbrush from a local dollar store for jewelry cleaning. A soft, non-abrasive cloth can also work well.
Start by adding a couple of drops of mild dish soap to a small bowl and then filling the bowl with warm water. Next, place your ring into the solution and let it soak for a couple of minutes to begin loosening dirt and grime.
Gently scrub your ring in warm soapy water using the brush or cloth. Try to get into all the small details and crevices where grease and dirt can accumulate and hide.
Fill another bowl with clean water and thoroughly rinse your ring. It is vital to get all the soapy residue off.
Using a clean, dry, lint-free cloth, dry your moissanite ring thoroughly. If you allow tiny drops of water to dry on the ring, it could cause water stains, and you run the risk of residue remaining on the surface.
To ensure your ring is 100% dry, you can use a blow dryer to blast away the last bit of moisture and ensure you get to even the hardest to reach crevices dry.
Commercial Jewelry Cleaners For Moissanite
If your moissanite ring has developed a cloudy film or you see the beginning of an oil slick stain, it is best to clean your ring using a commercial jewelry cleaner and a brush or cloth.
Look for a jewelry cleaning solution that is non-toxic and safe to use on silver, gold, platinum, and non-porous gems. It should not contain any ammonia, phosphate, bleach, or butyls.
All the jewelers we spoke with recommended this one. It’s effective and an easy one to use.
Start by placing your ring inside the dipping basket, which comes with the jewelry cleaner. Allow your ring to soak in the cleaning solution for 2 to 3 minutes.
Use a gentle brush to scrub dirt and other build-up out of the ring’s crevices. Let it soak in the solution for another minute, remove it, and rinse it thoroughly with lukewarm water.
Grab a soft, lint-free cloth to dry the ring. Be very careful to dry it thoroughly!
To enhance your ring’s brilliant luster, use a polishing cloth to finish the cleaning session. Your ring should end up looking just like it did the day you got it!
Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaners For Moissanite
The easiest way to give your moissanite ring a deep clean is to use an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner. This device is what professional jewelers use right before they hand a piece of jewelry over to its new owner.
It works by creating super high-frequency vibrations that get every bit of dirt and grime off your jewelry.
Ultrasonic jewelry cleaners are affordable and readily available online. These machines provide inexpensive protection for the rings you want to protect most. This one was recommended by two of the jewelers we spoke with.
To professionally clean your moissanite ring at home, all you need to do is fill the machine with a cleaning solution, place your ring inside, close the lid and wait.
It only takes 3 minutes for an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner to do its thing. The jewelry cleaner will even tell you when the machine has cooled enough for you to take your ring out.
Moissanite is durable enough to handle Ultrasonic cleanings; however, you should be careful if your moissanite ring has a more fragile setting. Pave and tension settings can sometimes loosen, for example, in ultrasonic cleaners.
Can A Moissanite Ring Get Wet?
It may seem extremely risky to take your valuable ring off each time you wash your hands, take a shower, or swim. Nightmarish thoughts, like the ring slipping down the drain, can cause people to leave their ring on their finger 24/7.
All professional jewelers recommend taking off a moissanite ring when you wash your hands, bathe, shower, or swim. This is because certain chemicals and sediments in the water can damage your ring over time.
Moissanite is a hard, durable stone, so water will not necessarily harm the stone internally. But minerals in the water can begin to interfere with the brilliance of your ring, eventually making it look dull and lifeless. Therefore, it is essential to limit your ring’s exposure to hard water with high levels of dissolved minerals.
Tap water is commonly treated with chlorine to make it safe to drink. However, chlorinated water is far from safe for jewelry.
Chlorine is a corrosive chemical that will not harm a moissanite stone, but it can weaken its metal setting. Gold is particularly susceptible to chlorine.
Exposing your moissanite ring to chlorinated water regularly (like when you wash your hands) may cause delicate bits of metal, like joints or prongs, to weaken or break over time. A loose or broken prong could eventually cause the stone to fall out of its setting and get lost.
Because of all this, it’s important to take your moissanite ring off before jumping into a chlorinated pool or hot tub.
Saltwater also needs to be avoided when it comes to moissanite jewelry. Similar to chlorine, salt has corrosive properties that can compromise the strength of your ring’s metal setting.
If you’d like to learn more about precautions to take with your Moissanite ring when you’re around water, as well as why they’re important, take a look at this article about wearing Moissanite in the pool, hot tub, and shower.
What Can Damage Moissanite?
While Moissanite is just beneath diamond on the Mohs hardness scale, it is still extremely hard and unlikely to get scratched as a result of normal daily wear. Its extreme hardness means it likely won’t be harmed if it accidentally bumps against glass, nails, staplers, door frames, or most other everyday objects.
However, this is not to say that Moissanite is impervious to physical damage! Like diamonds, Moissanite can still crack, get chipped, or break in half. The size, position, and number of the inclusions in your stone can determine how likely a strong impact in the right place might be to cause real damage to your Moissanite stone.
Because of this, it’s best to take your ring off before cleaning the house, doing yard work, or participating in a risky hobby or sport, for example.
Does Moissanite Last As Long As Diamond?
A moissanite ring will last just as long as a diamond ring. So it’s a complete fallacy that you can’t have an heirloom moissanite ring.
On Mohs hardness scale, diamond is a 10, while Moissanite rates a 9.25—that’s even harder than Sapphires! But, of course, hardness is not the only aspect to consider when choosing a stone. Toughness—the resistance of the stone to chipping or cracking is another important factor.
In terms of toughness, Moissanite actually beats diamond. Diamond is a lot more brittle due to its pure carbon crystal structure.
Conclusion
Regardless of how careful you are with your moissanite ring, it is important to clean it on a regular basis to keep the stone looking its best. If you wear your ring all day, every day, it’s a good idea to clean it once a month.
To clean a moissanite ring, all you have to do is give it a soak and a gentle scrub in some warm soapy water. It is important to rinse and dry the ring thoroughly after cleaning. If you’d like, you can then polish it with a special jewelry cloth to keep it looking brand new.
- Avoid exposing your ring to cosmetics, perfumes, lotions, hair products, soaps, and household cleaning products.
- Do not let your ring come into contact with hard water, chlorinated water, or saltwater.
- Remove your ring while doing activities where your stone might take some hard bumps.
You can also use an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner to do a professional cleaning job from home. With the right approach, cleaning your Moissanite Engagement ring or wedding ring should be an inexpensive, quick, and simple process.
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