How to Clean Moissanite Jewellery
Soak the piece for 10 to 20 minutes in warm water with a drop of mild dish soap, brush gently behind and around the stone with a soft toothbrush, rinse under warm running water and dry with a lint-free cloth. The moissanite itself tolerates ultrasonic and steam cleaning, but rhodium-plated silver, gold vermeil and pavé settings are better cleaned by hand.
Why moissanite looks dull
The stone does not change. Moissanite sparkles because light enters through the top, reflects off the facets underneath and returns to your eye. Skin oil, hand cream, soap and dust build a film on those lower facets, and light that cannot reflect cleanly comes back grey. Remove the film and the sparkle returns completely.
Step by step
- Prepare. A small bowl of warm, not hot, water with one or two drops of mild, unscented dish soap.
- Soak. 10 to 20 minutes loosens oil and dirt from under the stone.
- Brush. With a soft toothbrush, clean the underside of the stone, between the prongs and along any pavé. Gentle strokes; let the soap do the work.
- Rinse. Under warm running water, with the sink plugged or over a bowl.
- Dry. Pat with a lint-free cloth, then leave to air-dry fully before storing.
What the stone and the metal can take
| Method | Moissanite stone | Rhodium-plated silver | Gold vermeil |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm water and mild soap | Safe | Safe | Safe |
| Soft toothbrush | Safe | Safe | Gently |
| Ultrasonic cleaner | Safe | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Steam | Safe | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Silver dip or polish | Not needed | Avoid, strips rhodium | Avoid, strips gold |
| Chlorine, bleach | Unaffected | Avoid | Avoid |
GIA lists moissanite as safe for ultrasonic and steam cleaning. The limits come from the setting: vibration can loosen small pavé stones over time, and harsh treatments wear plated finishes.
What to avoid
- Toothpaste and baking soda. Both are abrasive and scratch metal and plating.
- Chlorine. Pools, hot tubs and bleach attack silver and gold alloys. Take rings off before you swim or clean.
- Treated polishing cloths on plated pieces. The compound that brightens silver also removes rhodium and gold.
- Hot water on a cold ring. Sudden temperature changes are hard on any jewellery.
How often
A quick rinse and brush once a week keeps a ring you wear daily at its brightest; a full soak once a month is plenty. Pieces worn occasionally need cleaning only when they look dull.
Storing your jewellery
At 9.25 on the Mohs scale, moissanite will scratch softer stones, metal and other jewellery. Keep each piece in its own pouch or compartment. Once or twice a year, check prongs for wear; a jeweller can retip them before a stone is at risk.