One of the most frequently asked questions: “How to properly care for and clean moissanite products“. We decided to write a small instruction that will help you preserve the shine and play of the stone for a long time, as on the first day of purchase.
Moissanite is one of the strongest stones used in jewelry. Its hardness is 9.25-9.5 on the Mohs scale. This means that this stone is resistant to scratches and daily wear and tear. For comparison, the hardest mineral on Earth, diamond, has a score of 10.
However, like all gemstones, moissanite needs regular care to keep the stone shining for years to come. Fortunately, moissanite is quite easy to care for, and you can do it even at home.
Storage
One of the first items you will definitely need after purchasing a piece of moissanite jewelry is a jewelry box. It will protect the stone from dust and help to keep the piece in its original form for as long as possible.
It is best to store moissanite jewelry separately in a bag or box with a fabric lining and compartments that separate it from other items. Moissanite is very hard, which means it can scratch other, softer gemstones and metals.
Cleaning moissanite at home
Over time, you may notice that moissanite seems to have lost its luster. This applies not only to moissanite, but also to jewelry with diamonds and other stones.
The fact is that due to constant contact with the body and moisture, a greasy layer forms on the stone. Dust and dirt get on its surface, and the jewelry loses its former charm.
It is impossible to avoid contamination in everyday life, but there are several recommendations on how to prolong the purity of the product:
When wearing it, you should try not to touch the stone, because it quickly forms a greasy coating from the skin, fingers, and hands.
Try to remove the jewelry before cosmetic procedures. For example, hand cream can easily get clogged even in hard-to-reach places of the jewelry.
It is advisable to remove the jewelry before washing your hands. Soaps and some types of antiseptics sometimes contain glycerin and moisturizing ingredients, and they can leave a film on the stone.
Cleaning:
- The easiest way to maintain the surface of the stone is to clean it with rubbing alcohol. You can use a cloth or napkin to remove the greasy layer that has appeared during the day.
- If you notice heavy dirt under the stone in the setting, prepare a simple solution of dishwashing detergent (a few drops) and warm water. Put the jewelry in for 10 minutes, then clean the dirt with a toothbrush with the softest bristles. After cleaning, rinse thoroughly with water to wash off any residue.
* Bristle hardness is always indicated on the packaging by the manufacturer.
Brushing with a regular bristle brush, toothpaste or soda is strictly contraindicated. Their abrasive properties, although they cannot damage moissanite, will easily scratch the precious metal frame, and the jewelry will tarnish.
Dry the moissanite jewelry well with a lint-free cloth.
Professional care products
If you decide that you need something more professional than soap and water, you can choose a ready-made jewelry cleaner that is specially formulated to clean gemstones such as diamonds, moissanite, and corundum.
Choose a non-toxic, non-abrasive cleaner that matches the description of your jewelry and follow the instructions to make your moissanite shine again.
*Please note that not all products are equally suitable for different types of metals and stones.
Using ammonia with moissanite (ammonia)
Ammonia (ammonia) is very effective for cleaning moissanite jewelry. Wear safety goggles and gloves before use and work only in a well-ventilated area.
To prepare the solution, dilute 1 part ammonia with 1-2 parts water. Place the moissanite jewelry in the solution for a few minutes (depending on the degree of dirt), and then clean thoroughly with a soft brush. When finished, rinse thoroughly with running water.
Moissanite is a fairly dense stone, it is fully suitable for use in ultrasonicators and is cleaned well by them.
We recommend professional ultrasonic cleaning in jewelry workshops approximately once a year (depending on the level of contamination). Vibrations will effectively and efficiently remove dirt from jewelry, even in very hard-to-reach places. Ultrasonic baths will help to restore shine and cleanliness to the jewelry.
Before using this cleaning method, consult with your jeweler, as some types of small stones are not resistant to ultrasound and may need to be checked. Also, such cleaning is undesirable for jewelry with enamel and inserts of other stones of lower density.
WHAT TO AVOID
Harmful chemicals
Avoid strong chemicals. These are aggressive detergents and abrasives: hairspray, glue, resin. Although they cannot directly damage moissanite, they increase the accumulation of dirt and reduce the luster of the stone. Sometimes a persistent hairspray can make cleaning much more difficult. When sprayed, the substance evenly covers the hard-to-reach places of the stone and eventually coarsens (dries). Cleaning such a stone may require the stone to be completely unfastened from the jeweler’s setting.
Strength tests
It is true that moissanite can withstand wear and scratches, but this does not mean that it cannot be damaged at all. A strong and at the same time sharp blow aimed at one point of the stone can lead to a chip. It is best to take off a moissanite ring (bracelet, pendants, and earrings) beforehand to avoid damaging it while playing sports, hiking, gardening, etc.
Moissanite can be scratched – by materials or substances with a hardness that exceeds the hardness of moissanite. For example, diamond-tipped or coated tools and other abrasives with a hardness higher than 9.5. Try to avoid such contacts.
DOES MOISSANITE BECOME DULL?
This is the most frequently asked question by our customers. The good news is that high-quality moissanite never tarnishes, unlike inexpensive diamond imitators such as cubic zirconia or cubic zirconia.
However, over time, as dirt and plaque accumulate, your moissanite can become hazy, as if with a veil. But since moissanite never becomes cloudy from the inside, any film is purely superficial and can be removed by cleaning.
WHAT IS A MOISSANITE GASOLINE STAIN?
Oil rainbow spots on moissanite.
It is an oily effect on the surface of the stone, which can look like iridescent “gasoline” spots due to the formation of an organic film. This is not a permanent stain and can be removed by cleaning.
The best way to clean an oil stain is to use silver polish and a toothbrush or cloth. Apply silver polishing cream to the surface of moissanite with a brush, go over the stone in a circular motion, and then rinse. The oil stain will come off and the stone will shine beautifully. You can do this at a jeweler who will help you clean the stain thoroughly and carefully without touching the details of the setting.
You can always ask for help with jewelry cleaning at Moissanite Ukraine, or ask us a question if you need additional advice.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD MOISSANITE BE CLEANED?
There are no rules about when to clean moissanite. Everything is unique, and you may feel that the stone needs to be cleaned at a certain point.
We recommend that you observe your jewelry daily and store it carefully. Over time, the stones’ fastenings weaken, and there is a risk of losing the stone. To avoid such a situation, pay attention to the sudden mobility of the stone in the jewelry. If you have any doubts, you should immediately bring it to the repair shop, where the master will check the fastening and correct it if necessary.
