Is Moissanite Everlasting? If properly cared for, moissanite is considered a "forever stone," meaning it won't be damaged or wear down over time. Despite its hardness rating of 9.25 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, the stone is not indestructible, similar to a diamond. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when discussing Moissanite.
Moissanite Is Extremely Durable
The hardness and scratch resistance of a precious gem are determined using the Mohs Scale. Diamonds have the highest hardness and scratch resistance. Moissanite, rated at 9.25, is the second hardest and most durable gem. In comparison, rubies and emeralds both rank at 8 on the Mohs Scale, making moissanite an excellent choice if durability is a priority. Storing your moissanite with diamond jewellery makes it highly unlikely that it will be scratched.
Moissanite Does Not Cloud
A moissanite's colour, clarity, and sparkle should remain unchanged over time. As gems age, they may lose their sparkle, decreasing the value of the jewellery. Moissanite stones are not prone to clouding, so it's advisable to remove the ring before cleaning it or working with chemicals. However, any temporary cloudiness can be resolved by cleaning your moissanite ring yourself or with professional assistance, restoring its sparkle and shine.
Moissanite Is Less Susceptible To Chips And Cracks Than Diamonds
Harder gems are more scratch-resistant but tend to be brittle and susceptible to impact damage. While moissanite has a scratch resistance rating of 9.25, diamonds score a perfect 10 in hardness. Diamonds, despite being a popular choice for engagement rings, are slightly less resistant to impact damage. Diamonds can also split or crack along cleavage planes, which are weaker sections of the stone. Moissanite stones are uniformly strong across their surface, eliminating this risk. Therefore, moissanite is more resistant to knocks and bumps than diamonds, making it suitable for everyday use.
The Durability of Moissanite: Some Important Things
To assess the hardness of a gemstone, jewellers use the Mohs Scale of Hardness, allowing for comparison across different gemstones on the same scale. This scale measures a stone's resistance to scratches on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being easily scratched and 10 being highly scratch-resistant.
This scale is used to gauge moissanite's durability, placing it around 9.25 to 9.5. Moissanite is slightly harder than diamond, which scores a 10, but this difference isn't significant regarding durability.
This means that moissanite is nearly as durable as diamonds due to its extremely hard composition. Moissanite stones are as durable as diamonds and can last just as long in rings and other jewellery. Choosing moissanite offers not only beauty and brilliance but also durability as a compelling alternative to diamonds.
However, if you plan to engage in physical activities, it's advisable to remove your moissanite ring. Some moissanite cuts, such as princess and marquise, can be highly susceptible to impact.