Does Moissanite Get Cloudy? Why It Can Look Dull and How to Fix It

If you are thinking about a moissanite ring, you may have read that moissanite gets cloudy over time. It doesn't. The stone itself stays clear for life. What does happen, to moissanite and diamond alike, is that a thin film builds up on the stone and dulls its sparkle. Here is the difference, and how to fix it.

Why moissanite itself does not go cloudy

• It is very hard. Moissanite rates 9.25 on the Mohs scale, so everyday dust and grit cannot scratch it into a frosted, hazy surface.
• It is chemically stable. Moissanite is silicon carbide, one of the most stable materials used in jewelry. It does not react with skin, water or household products in a way that changes the stone.
• It does not absorb anything. Moissanite is not porous, so oils and lotions sit on the surface, where they can be washed off, instead of soaking in.

The color of good colorless moissanite also stays the same over time. The one curiosity worth knowing: moissanite can show a temporary color change when it gets very hot, for example under a jeweler's torch during repair work. It returns to its normal color as it cools.

Where the cloudy myth comes from

Much of the myth comes from cubic zirconia. CZ is softer, at about 8 to 8.5 on the Mohs scale, so over years of wear its facet edges get worn and scratched and the stone can look milky. People sometimes assume all diamond alternatives behave the same way. Moissanite does not. Our article on moissanite vs cubic zirconia explains the difference in more detail.

Some people also confuse cloudiness with color. Early moissanite, decades ago, often had a faint yellow or green tint. That is a color tone, not haze, and today's colorless moissanite is far whiter.

Why your moissanite might look dull

A brilliant stone works by catching light through the top and bouncing it off the facets underneath. Anything that coats those lower facets blocks that light. The usual culprits are:

• hand cream, sunscreen and body lotion
• soap and shampoo residue
• natural skin oils
• dust and fibers trapped under the setting
• hard-water marks after washing up

Even a very thin film is enough to make a stone look flat, which is why a ring can look dull a week after it sparkled in the shop.

How to bring the sparkle back

1. Mix warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap.
2. Soak the jewelry for 10 to 15 minutes to loosen the film.
3. Brush gently with a soft toothbrush, especially under the stone and around the prongs, where most of the build-up sits.
4. Rinse in clean warm water.
5. Dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.

That is usually all it takes. For a full routine, see our moissanite care and cleaning guide.

What to avoid

• Toothpaste and abrasive powders: they won't harm the moissanite, but they scratch gold, silver and platinum.
• Chlorine and harsh household chemicals: these can damage the metal, so take your ring off for cleaning chores, pools and hot tubs.
• Ultrasonic cleaners on pavé: the moissanite is fine, but strong vibration can loosen tiny pavé stones. Use one only if your jeweler has checked the setting.

How often to clean

A quick soak and brush once a week keeps an everyday ring at its brightest. Once a year, have a jeweler check the prongs and small stones and give the ring a professional clean and polish.

Quick answers

Does moissanite get cloudy over time?

No. The stone stays clear. Any dullness comes from a film on the surface, which washes off.

Does moissanite change color?

Not in normal wear. It can change color temporarily when heated strongly, such as during repair work, and returns to normal as it cools.

Can I wear my moissanite ring every day?

Yes. Its hardness makes it well suited to daily wear. Take it off for heavy work, the gym and swimming to protect the setting. See can you wear moissanite every day? for each activity.

Ready to choose? Browse our moissanite engagement rings or our moissanite jewelry.