Your moissanite might look cloudy for a few different reasons. The most common cause is that a protective film of oils and lotions has built up on the stone. This film can form each time you clean your jewelry, or when lotions and oils come into contact with the stone.
Fortunately, this cloudy film can easily be removed with a simple cleaning. Additionally, if the cloudy film persists, the surface of your moissanite may have been scratched. You’ll need to get it professionally polished to restore its original shine.
Lastly, moissanite can also contain some impurities. Depending on the way the moissanite is cut and faceted, light may be refracted in a way that causes a milky appearance. If this is the case, they’ll need to be re-cut and faceted to remove the haze from the stone.
How do you clean cloudy moissanite?
Cleaning cloudy moissanite is relatively easy if you follow the steps outlined below.
1. Start by soaking your moissanite in a glass bowl or dish filled with warm water and a small drop of dish soap. Let it sit for a few minutes.
2. Next, use a soft cloth or a fine-bristle brush to gently scrub off any dirt or dust that has accumulated on the moissanite. Be sure to go in slow, circular motions, and don’t scrub too hard.
3. Rinse the moissanite in clean warmer water and take a look at it. If it still looks a bit dull, then you may need to use a specialized moissanite cleaner, which can be found in most jewelry stores.
4. To polish, use a soft cloth and some of the moissanite cleaner. Don’t rub too hard, and make sure to go in slow and circular motions.
5. Rinse the moissanite with cold water once more and dry it off with a soft cloth.
6. Finally, to keep the moissanite looking its best, store it in a soft pouch or cloth bag away from other jewelry.
Does moissanite fog over time?
Moissanite is a lab-created diamond simulant, and because of this, it has different characteristics than a natural diamond. It is generally well known that moissanite does not fog over time, which is unlike most gemstones that can often become hazy or milky with age.
Because moissanite is man-made and contains fewer trace elements than a natural diamond, its colors and clarity remain constant. Therefore, moissanite will not fog over with age. Its color and clarity will remain the same, and many say that it looks better with each passing year.
Does hand sanitizer damage moissanite?
No, hand sanitizer should not damage moissanite. Moissanite is a man-made gemstone with a hardness rating of 9.25 on the Mohs scale, which makes it very resistant to scratching and other damage. It is a synthetic form of silicon carbide and therefore is quite tough.
Hand sanitizer generally contains 70% isopropyl alcohol, which is not strong enough to damage moissanite. It is stronger than regular rubbing alcohol, but because moissanite is so resilient, it should not be affected by it.
You should still use caution when cleaning or handling your moissanite jewelry though, as the alcohol in the hand sanitizer could damage other softer stones nearby.
How can you tell fake moissanite?
If you’re looking for real moissanite, it is often best to go with a reputable seller who specializes in lab-created gems. When purchasing moissanite, it’s important to look for certain characteristics of the gemstone, such as clarity, color, and shine.
Real moissanite should have excellent clarity, usually VS or VVS grade. The color should be slightly yellow or grayish green, depending on the cut. The shine and luster should be bright and have significant light return.
Any ambiguity in these factors is a red flag to indicate that the item is not real.
If you have a diamond tester, you can use it to test the gemstone. Real moissanite should read as diamond, while other simulants such as cubic zirconia, zircon, and glass will read differently.
In addition, real moissanite has a double refraction that can be seen when viewed through a jeweler’s loupe. With proper magnification, you will be able to see two distinct images of the stone, whereas simulants will only show one.
Finally, if you are in doubt, you can always have the gemstone appraised or tested by a professional gemologist. They will be able to confirm the authenticity of the moissanite for you.
Is moissanite less sparkly than diamond?
No, moissanite is actually more sparkly than diamonds. Moissanite has a higher refractive index, which causes the gem to disperse the light in a higher degree than diamonds. This means that when a light source is applied to moissanite, the light scatters more and increases the brilliance and sparkle of the gem.
Additionally, moissanite has many more facets than diamonds due to its round shape causing more light to be reflected and creating more sparkle. This gives moissanite a distinct advantage over diamonds when it comes to sparkle, although diamonds still hold the same classic beauty that can’t be found with other gemstones.
Why are some moissanite so cheap?
The primary reason why some moissanite is so cheap is because it is usually low quality, and often lacks the clarity and color needed to replicate the appearance of a regular diamond. Low-quality moissanites may feature cloudy and grayish tones, impurities and color variations that make it appearance less appealing.
These stones also may have visible inclusions under high magnification. Additionally, lower priced stones lack the necessary durability and hardness of higher-grade moissanite, making them more prone to scratches and chips.
In some cases, the low price might be an indication that the product is an imitation comprised of artificial materials, often glass and synthetic fillers, rather than a genuine moissanite. These alternatives may look visually similar to a regular moissanite, however, they lack the same brilliance, clarity and durability of a genuine stone.
Overall, cheaper moissanites are not created with the same materials or craftsmanship as higher quality, more expensive stones and thus, the quality is not comparable.
Can you clean moissanite with vinegar?
No, you should not use vinegar to clean moissanite. Moissanite is an extremely durable gemstone, but vinegar is too strong of a cleaner and can damage the stone. There are specific solutions of mild soap and water in a ratio of 3:1 that can be used to safely clean moissanite.
It is important to avoid using harsh chemicals or ultrasonic cleaning solutions when dealing with moissanite because these can damage the stone and cause discoloration. Moissanite stones should also be wiped with a soft, lint-free cloth to avoid scratching its surface.
It is also important not to wear moissanite when washing dishes or working in the garden since these activities can bring dirt and oils onto the stone which can interfere with its sparkle.
Can I shower with my moissanite ring?
Yes, you can shower with your moissanite ring but you should take precautions to ensure your ring stays clean and in good condition. Moissanite is a very hard, durable gemstone so it should be fine in the shower, but you should remove the ring before shampooing or using any harsh soaps to avoid any soapy residue and to avoid any unnecessary wear.
Make sure you thoroughly dry your ring afterwards, with a lint-free cloth. Although moissanite is hard and durable, it is not completely indestructible, so you should try not to subject it to jarring or striking that could potentially damage the stone.
In order to truly protect your moissanite ring, it is best to take it off while doing anything that could potentially harm it and store it in a jewelry box or pouch.
What is the downside of moissanite?
The downside of moissanite is that while it is stunning and resembles diamond, it is still a man-made stone. It is not natural – it is created in a lab to mimic the sparkle of a diamond. This doesn’t give it the same potential for value, as an investment or for resale.
Additionally, some people say that moissanite does not have the same resiliency as diamond when it comes to scratch resistance. Because of this, moissanite requires more regular maintenance and professional cleaning or polishing to keep it looking like new.
Although moissanite is not as hard as a diamond and may take on scratches over time, it won’t break or chip easily, so it can certainly withstand everyday wear and tear. Finally, because moissanite is widely available, it is not as special or exclusive or as coveted as a diamond.
It also doesn’t have the same degree of recognition, so it won’t necessarily attract the same attention that a real diamond will.
Can people tell if you have a moissanite ring?
Yes, people can tell if you have a moissanite ring, however they might not be able to tell the difference between a moissanite and a diamond right away. Moissanite is a gemstone that was first discovered in 1893.
It has a similar appearance to a diamond but is not as hard or expensive as a diamond. Some experts are able to tell the difference between the two stones by a visual inspection, however the average person is unable to do so.
If a person is looking for a stone for their ring and cannot see the difference between a diamond and a moissanite, it would be suggested to have a professional inspect the stone and confirm the type.
A moissanite has its own benefits and is becoming increasingly popular in recent years because of its hardness and brilliance.