A moissanite stone rivals the beauty of a diamond in terms of brilliance and sparkle, making it the best diamond alternative.
However, people who choose moissanite often wonder whether moissanite gets cloudy. This is because everyone wants the gem adorning their engagement ring to be sparkling instead of looking hazy.
So, does a moissanite ring get cloudy over time?
No, it can only be scratched by a diamond or boron.
This brief moissanite guide will answer this question. Specifically, we’ll look at the following:
- The properties of moissanite
- Whether moissanite gets cloudy
- Why some stones appear cloudy
- How to prevent or remove a cloudy haze from a moissanite ring
Moissanite does not get cloudy, discolour, or change its appearance over time. Dirt and oil may build up on the surface of the stone. This makes the stone look cloudy because it blocks light from shining through. However, a good cleaning will return your moissanite to its usual sparkle.
Main properties of Moissanite stones
Moissanite is a gemstone that is one of the most popular diamond alternatives today. Moissanite stones have the following properties:
- They are diamond simulant
- They are incredibly durable
- They have more brilliance than other gemstones
- They traditionally have a yellow tint
1. Moissanite stones are diamond simulants
Moissanite is a diamond simulant because it has gemological characteristics similar to a diamond. Moissanite generally has the same physical appearance as diamond.
French chemist Henri Moissan discovered moissanite in 1893. He found the stone in a meteorite crater in Arizona.
Because of the remarkable similarity of the stone with diamonds, Dr Moissan believed the stone was a diamond when he found it.
However, it was later discovered that the stone is compositionally different from a diamond. While a diamond is made of carbon, Dr Mossain’s stone is made of silicon carbide. The stone was later named “moissanite” in honour of Dr Mossain.
Moissanite is so similar to a diamond that people cannot tell the difference between the two stones. The GIA states that moissanite is much closer to a diamond in overall appearance than any previous diamond imitation.
In fact, moissanite can pass as a diamond when you test the gemstone using the diamond testers on the market. This is because the testers are thermal probes that measure the stone’s thermal conductivity. Interestingly, the thermal properties of moissanite are very close to those of a diamond.
Are you looking for alternatives to diamond engagement rings? Moissanite is better than other diamond simulants like cubic zirconia (CZ) stones.
2. Moissanite stones are incredibly hard and durable
Moissanite stones are incredibly hard gems. They are only slightly behind diamonds on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, making them extremely durable.
The Mohs hardness scale measures the scratch resistance of various minerals. It bases the measurement on the ability of harder materials to scratch softer materials. It ranks gems on a 1 - 10 ordinal scale, where 1 represents the softest minerals, and 10 represents the hardest minerals.
Diamonds rank “10” on the Mohs scale, as they are the hardest naturally occurring minerals. Their optimal hardness means they can withstand scratches and almost any kind of wear and tear.
Moissanite stones rank 9.25 - 9.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. Moissanite is the second hardest gemstone. So, moissanite stones possess a high degree of hardness.
The incredible hardness of moissanite means they are extremely scratch resistant. This makes moissanite engagement rings very durable and perfect for everyday wear.
3. Moissanite stones have more brilliance and fire than other gemstones
Moissanite stones are the most brilliant and fiery gems. So, moissanite engagement rings have some of the most beautiful sparkle and colour displays.
Brilliance and fire are some of the properties that make gemstones beautiful.
Brilliance is the amount of light reflected back to the viewer when light passes through a gemstone. The sparkle and shine of a gem relate to its brilliance. The more light a gem reflects back from within, the more flashes you’ll see coming from its inside.
Moissanite has more brilliance than other gemstones, including diamond rings. Brilliance is measured on a refractive index scale of 1.2 - 3.
Moissanite has a brilliance of 2.65 - 2.69 refractive index, making them the most brilliant gemstone. In comparison, diamonds have a 2.41 - 2.42 brilliance refractive index. Thus, moissanite is an excellent option for a beautiful engagement ring gemstone with optimum sparkle.
Fire is the ability of a gemstone to split light into its spectral colour. The more fiery a gemstone is, the more spectral colours you’ll see when you rotate the stone.
Moissanite has more fire than other gems. For example, the 0.104 fire of moissanite is more than twice the 0.044 fire of diamonds. The greater fire of moissanite means they disperse light nicely. Thus, moissanite is perfect for beautiful engagement rings with impressive rainbow-like light flashes.
4. Moissanite traditionally has a yellow tint
Moissanite traditionally has a yellowish tint. However, high-quality moissanite gems are now available that are colourless.
Thus, like diamonds, you can have moissanite engagement ring stones with some colour or colourless.
Will Moissanite rings get cloudy or change colour over time?
Worried about a hazy cloud forming over the shiny rock of your engagement ring? We understand your worries! The symbol of your perfect love should remain perfect. It should be as sparkly as the day you got it.
With a moissanite, you won’t have to worry about your ring becoming imperfect. That is, you won’t have to worry about your moissanite stone getting cloudy or changing colour.
Moissanite does not get cloudy or change colour over time. Its sparkle and shine will remain as the day you got it for as long as you have it. The beautiful colour of your moissanite ring today is the same colour that your great-grandchildren will see when looking at the ring.
Because moissanite stones do not get cloudy or change colour with time, they usually come with a lifetime warranty.
Moissanite stones do not get cloudy because of their incredible hardness. This makes them immune to things that spoil soft stones. For example, moissanite gems are not affected by the accumulation of dirt.
Moreover, chemicals do not contaminate them and they don’t bleach when exposed to sunlight.
Why some stones get cloudy
Some stones get cloudy and spot a milky colour as they age. One of the main reasons precious stones get cloudy is the accumulation of dirt and natural oils from everyday use.
The filth initially builds up on the ring. The build-up is harmless to extremely hard and durable stones like diamonds and moissanite. However, it is less so with soft stones like cubic zirconia (CZ) and the other gems used as diamond alternatives. Because of being relatively porous, the build-up of dirt and grime contaminates the stone. It stains the stone, giving it a hazy look.
Exposure to sunlight is another factor that causes precious stones to change colour. Just like the sun’s harmful rays can damage our skin, they bleach many precious stones.
How can I prevent or remove a cloudy haze on my Moissanite ring?
If you plan to wear your moissanite engagement ring often, it is virtually impossible to prevent a cloudy haze from forming on it over time.
Even if you do not expose the ring to sunlight, it is impossible to prevent the build up of oils and dirt. This comes from sweat, lotion, etc. Thus, as you use moissanite rings, oils and dirt will progressively build up on their surfaces to cause a cloudy haze.
However, you can slow down the build-up of filth on your moissanite by taking steps to keep the gem clean and dry. Some of these steps include removing your ring before:
- Doing the dishes
- Cleaning the home
- Doing yard work
- Exercising
- Washing your hands
- Taking your bath or bathing children
- Using gels, lotions, etc.
- Swimming
However, the haze on a cloudy moissanite does not penetrate the gem. It merely sits on the surface of the ring and is easily removable. You can remove cloudy haze from the surface of your moissanite ring by cleaning the ring.
You don’t have to take the ring to your local jeweler for cleaning to remove a cloudy haze. You can clean your cloudy moissanite ring yourself at home.
How to clean Moissanite engagement rings
Cleaning a cloudy moissanite ring does not require much. Let your ring soak for a few minutes in warm soapy water. Then use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub it.
To clean your moissanite ring, follow these steps:
- Fill a bowl with warm water
- Add a few drops of liquid dish soap. You may use a non-toxic jewellery cleaner instead of mild dish soap.
- Soak the moissanite ring in the soapy and warm water for a few minutes. This helps to loosen the grime on the ring.
- Remove the ring from the water. Then use a soft toothbrush to clean the ring gently.
- Air dry or blot with a lint-free cloth or towel
When you take your moissanite to a jeweler for cleaning, they’ll most likely use an ultrasonic cleaner.
However, you can use the steps above to wipe off cloudy haze from your moissanite and bring back its original shine. Also, the five steps work for both loose moissanite stones and moissanite fine jewelry. You can clean your moissanite as often as you please.
Takeaway: Moissanite will preserve its sparkle and shine over time
Moissanite is the new diamond. While diamonds remain popular for engagement rings, their high price points keep them beyond the reach of many people. Since Moissanite are as beautiful and durable as diamonds, they have become the perfect diamond substitute.
Moissanite does not get cloudy or change colour over time. With daily wear, dirt and oils may build up on the surface of moissanite to give it a hazy appearance. However, this is an easy fix.
Do you fancy the sparkly brilliance and incredible durability of moissanite? Then visit “Moissanite engagement rings.” We are a one-stop shop for moissanite rings. Our mission is to provide high-quality, ethically sourced, and affordably priced engagement rings.
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