How to Care for Moissanite: Cleaning & Longevity

How Durable Is Moissanite, Really?

Moissanite sits at 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it the second-hardest gemstone used in fine jewellery, behind only diamond. For context, that's harder than sapphire and ruby, and significantly harder than most other gemstones you'll find set in rings, earrings, or pendants. This hardness rating measures resistance to scratching, which is exactly the kind of wear-and-tear everyday jewellery encounters.

What this means in practical terms: moissanite can handle the knocks of daily life, from typing at a keyboard to doing the dishes, without picking up the surface scratches that dull softer stones over time. It's one of the reasons moissanite has become a genuine favourite for engagement rings and pieces worn every single day, not just for special occasions.

Clearing Up a Common Myth

Because moissanite is sometimes described in relation to diamond, a misconception has taken hold that it's a "fake" stone and therefore somehow fragile or lesser. This isn't accurate. Moissanite is a distinct gemstone in its own right, originally identified in nature and now created in laboratories with remarkable precision. Its durability isn't borrowed or approximate — it's a genuine physical property backed by its hardness rating.

Understanding moissanite as its own gemstone, rather than a stand-in for something else, helps set the right expectations for how it performs. It's not trying to be diamond. It brings its own exceptional brilliance and its own strength to the table, and both are well suited to jewellery you intend to wear for years.

Safe Cleaning Methods for Moissanite

Keeping moissanite brilliant doesn't require special products or complicated routines. The simplest and safest method works well for the vast majority of pieces:

• Soak the piece in warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap for 20–30 minutes to loosen everyday build-up like body oils and lotion residue.
• Gently brush the stone and setting with a soft-bristled brush, such as a clean, unused toothbrush, paying attention to the underside of the stone where light passes through.
• Rinse thoroughly under warm running water and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Given its high hardness, moissanite generally tolerates ultrasonic cleaners reasonably well, which is not something you can say for softer or more brittle gemstones. That said, always check the specific setting before using one. If a piece pairs moissanite with softer accent stones, pearls, or opals, or if the setting includes intricate metalwork, an ultrasonic cleaner may not be suitable for the piece as a whole. When in doubt, the warm soapy water method is always the gentler, lower-risk choice.

What to Avoid

While moissanite is hard-wearing, a few habits are worth avoiding to keep any fine jewellery piece looking its best over the long term:

• Harsh chemicals: Chlorine, bleach, and abrasive household cleaners can damage metal settings and dull the finish of a piece, even if the stone itself is unaffected.
• Extreme temperature changes: Moving a piece quickly from very hot to very cold conditions, such as removing a ring before a hot shower and immediately touching cold water, can stress any gemstone, including moissanite. Consistent, moderate handling is the safer approach.
• Rough handling during physical activity: Removing rings and bracelets before heavy manual work, gardening, or exercise reduces the risk of impact damage to a setting, regardless of how hard the stone itself is.

Does Moissanite Cloud or Dull Over Time?

A well-cared-for moissanite stone does not cloud, fade, or degrade with age. Its hardness means it resists the fine surface scratching that can make some gemstones look increasingly dull over years of wear. Any change in appearance over time is almost always the result of a build-up of oils, lotion, or soap residue on the surface, which a simple clean easily resolves. Rather than being a stone that requires vigilance against deterioration, moissanite is one you can wear with confidence, knowing regular light maintenance is all it asks for.

Storage Tips for Long-Term Care

Good storage habits protect the setting as much as the stone itself. A few simple principles go a long way:

• Store pieces separately from one another, particularly away from softer metals or gemstones, to prevent surface marks from contact between pieces.
• Use a lined jewellery box, a soft pouch, or individual compartments rather than tossing pieces together in a drawer.
• Avoid leaving jewellery in direct sunlight for extended periods, as prolonged heat and light exposure isn't ideal for metal finishes or certain settings over time.
• Remove jewellery before swimming, since chlorinated or salt water can affect metal settings even when the stone is unaffected.

A Low-Maintenance Stone Built for Everyday Life

Moissanite's combination of exceptional hardness and straightforward care requirements makes it one of the more practical choices for jewellery you plan to wear regularly. A little warm soapy water, sensible storage, and avoiding harsh chemicals or temperature extremes are all it takes to keep a piece performing beautifully for years. Cared for properly, moissanite is a stone you can rely on for the long haul, brilliant on day one and just as brilliant well beyond it.

All Divara pieces ship free within Australia in plain, unbranded packaging, with a 30-day change-of-mind return policy and a 12-month workmanship warranty, so you can wear your moissanite jewellery with confidence from the moment it arrives.

Browse Divara's moissanite jewellery collection.