How to Clean a Moissanite Ring

A moissanite ring needs only warm water, a little mild dish soap and a soft brush to sparkle like new. The stone itself is hard and keeps its polish; what dulls it is a film of skin oil, lotion and soap on the surface. Here is how to clean it, how often, what to avoid with gold-plated sterling silver and why a ring can look cloudy between cleans.

What you need

• A small bowl of warm water. Warm, not hot.
• A few drops of mild dish soap, with no ammonia, bleach or abrasives.
• A soft-bristle brush. A baby toothbrush works well.
• A soft, lint-free cloth. Microfiber is ideal.

How to clean it, step by step

1. Soak. Put the ring in the soapy water for 10 to 15 minutes to loosen oil and lotion.
2. Brush. Brush gently around the stone, the prongs and the band. Spend most of the time on the back of the stone, under the setting, where buildup collects and blocks the light.
3. Rinse. Rinse under lukewarm running water, over a bowl or with the drain closed.
4. Dry. Pat the ring dry with the cloth, without rubbing, and let it air dry fully before you put it away.

Clean your ring every 2 to 4 weeks, or whenever the sparkle looks flat.

Why a moissanite ring looks cloudy

Shown: Monica Round Moissanite Double Halo Engagement Ring

Moissanite does not turn cloudy over time. When a ring looks hazy, the cause is on the surface: hand cream, sunscreen, soap residue and the natural oil from your skin. The facets on the back of the stone reflect light up through the top, and a thin film on them lets light leak out instead, so the stone looks flat. A clean brings it straight back.

Halos and pavé bands collect the most buildup, because the small stones sit close together with little gaps between them. Brush those areas a little longer. On some of our designs the small accent stones are cubic zirconia, which is softer than moissanite, so brush gently and keep the ring away from hard knocks.

What to avoid

Moissanite itself is tough, but the band is 925 sterling silver with 18K gold plating, and the plating is a thin surface layer. Keep it away from:

• Ultrasonic and steam cleaners. The vibration and heat can strip or damage the plating.
• Polishing cloths and abrasive pastes. Silver polishing cloths are made to remove a surface layer, and on a plated ring that layer is the gold.
• Harsh chemicals. Bleach, chlorine, acetone, household cleaners and hand sanitizer damage both the plating and the silver.
• Toothpaste and baking soda. Both are abrasive and leave fine scratches in the plating.

Keeping it clean between washes

Shown: Olive Round Moissanite Eternity Band

• Put your ring on last, after lotion, perfume, sunscreen and hair products.
• Take it off to wash dishes, shower, swim, clean and work out.
• Wipe it with a soft dry cloth when you take it off at night.
• Store it on its own, in its pouch or its Carissie box, somewhere cool and dry, so it does not rub against other jewelry.

An eternity band has stones all the way around, including the underside, which touches everything you hold. It needs cleaning more often than a ring with a plain band.

When to see a jeweler

Look at the prongs now and then. If a stone moves when you touch it or a prong catches on fabric, stop wearing the ring and have a jeweler check the setting. If the plating wears thin over the years, which usually starts on the underside of the band, many local jewelers can re-plate the ring and restore its color. Tell them the band is gold-plated sterling silver and the stone is moissanite.

Common questions

Does moissanite get cloudy?

No. Moissanite does not cloud over time. A hazy look comes from oil, lotion and soap on the surface, and a soak in warm soapy water and a soft brush clear it.

Can I use an ultrasonic cleaner on a moissanite ring?

Not on a gold-plated ring. Moissanite can handle it, but the vibration and heat can strip the plating, so clean plated rings by hand.

How often should I clean my moissanite ring?

Every 2 to 4 weeks, or whenever the sparkle looks flat. Rings worn every day, and rings with halos or pavé, benefit from cleaning more often.

Can I wear my moissanite ring in the shower?

It is better not to. Soap leaves a film on the stone, and water, chlorine and heat wear down the gold plating faster.

Our jewelry care guide covers storage and plating care in more detail, and our guide to gold-plated sterling silver explains how long plating lasts.