Does Moissanite Scratch Easily?

Many discerning buyers question the durability of moissanite, particularly its scratch resistance. So, does moissanite scratch easily? Boasting substantial hardness with a score of 9.25 on the Mohs scale, moissanite resists scratches exceptionally well, ensuring that pieces like engagement rings and everyday jewellery endure over time.

In the following sections, we’ll take a closer look into the properties that contribute to moissanite’s resilience and how it performs under the stresses of regular use.

Key Takeaways

• Moissanite is second only to diamonds in hardness, boasting a 9.25 rating on the Mohs scale, making it highly resistant to scratches and perfect for daily wear.
• While moissanite is durable and can withstand exposure to harsh environments and heat, precautions should be taken to prevent damage during high-risk activities and extreme temperature changes.
• Regular cleaning and professional inspections are recommended to maintain the appearance of moissanite jewellery, and it holds advantages over other diamond alternatives in terms of affordability, brilliance, and eco-friendliness.
• Cullen Jewellery only uses Radiant Beauty™ moissanite, which has swiftly earned acclaim for its impeccable standards in the colour, clarity, and cut of their moissanite stones.

Moissanite Hardness and Scratch Resistance

Imagine a gemstone so hard that it can withstand the rigours of daily wear, from accidental bumps to constant contact with other materials. This is not a mythical stone; it’s moissanite. With a hardness rating of 9.25 on the Mohs scale, moissanite boasts extraordinary scratch resistance, a testament to its durability. This impressive hardness makes moissanite jewellery a perfect choice for those seeking both beauty and longevity.

While diamonds are known for their unparalleled hardness, moissanite proudly takes the second spot, outshining most other gemstones. But what does this mean for you? It means that a moissanite engagement ring or a pair of moissanite earrings would stand up to everyday wear and tear better than most other gemstones.

Moissanite on the Mohs Scale

A clear understanding of moissanite’s durability requires a closer look at the Mohs scale. This scale ranks minerals based on their ability to scratch other minerals, with a rating from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest). In this rating system, moissanite shines with a score of 9.25, signifying its excellent scratch resistance.

Bear in mind the Mohs scale doesn’t operate on a linear basis. The gap in hardness between moissanite and diamond (which tops the chart at 10) is significant, despite their close numerical rank. This is why even though diamonds can scratch moissanite, the latter still stands as an impressively hard and durable alternative for jewellery.

Comparing Moissanite to Diamonds

Diamonds are frequently used as a reference point for hardness and durability. Nevertheless, moissanite closely follows. As one of the hardest known minerals, moissanite is only surpassed by diamond, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a durable mined diamond alternative.

Moissanite’s hardness rating of 9.25 on the Mohs scale, compared to diamonds’ perfect 10, indicates its robust scratch resistance and overall durability. While diamonds can scratch moissanite due to their superior hardness, in practical terms, moissanite’s durability and resistance to scratches make it suitable for everyday wear. However, some may wonder, does moissanite scratch easily? The answer lies in its impressive rating on the Mohs scale, which demonstrates its ability to withstand daily wear and tear.

Factors Affecting Scratch Resistance

Certain factors can impact the scratch resistance of moissanite, just like any other gemstone. Pressure and contact with harder materials are the primary culprits. While moissanite is a hard stone, it can still get scratched if it comes into contact with a harder material or is subjected to enough force. So, does moissanite scratch? Yes, but it’s relatively rare due to its hardness.

Nevertheless, under normal conditions, moissanite jewellery is generally resistant to scratching due to its high hardness level. This means that while it’s not entirely scratch-proof, moissanite can withstand the wear and tear of daily activities better than softer gemstones.

Everyday Wear and Tear on Moissanite Jewellery

The ultimate measure of a gemstone’s durability lies in its resilience to daily wear and tear. Moissanite passes with flying colours when it comes to this. With its high hardness rating of 9.25 on the Mohs scale, moissanite is resistant to the kind of damage that jewellery often faces in daily life, from accidental bumps to exposure to harsh environments.

Furthermore, moissanite doesn’t merely endure daily wear — it flourishes despite it. This gemstone is highly heat-resistant, meaning it can withstand high temperatures without losing its brilliance or shine. Such qualities make moissanite a durable choice for jewellery meant to be worn daily.

This is especially true for Cullen Jewellery’s collection, which is exclusively sourced from Radiant Beauty™, one of the top suppliers of high quality moissanite stones in the world.

Rings, Earrings, and Necklaces

Moissanite’s durability and versatility make it a popular choice for various types of jewellery. It is commonly used in:

• Earrings
• Necklaces
• Bracelets
• Engagement rings

Moissanite is adaptable to various jewellery settings, ranging from prong to bezel to halo. Its durability and sparkle can be appreciated daily in moissanite rings, making it a popular alternative to a diamond ring for engagement rings.

Proof of moissanite’s reliability as a gemstone for everyday wear lies in its growing popularity. More and more people choose moissanite for their engagement rings and other jewellery pieces. Not just for its beauty, but also for its ability to withstand the rigours of daily wear and tear.

Impact of Daily Activities

Although moissanite’s high hardness offers resistance to most wear and tear, the impact of daily activities on your jewellery still merits consideration. Here are some activities that can potentially damage your moissanite jewellery:

• Cooking
• Cleaning
• DIY projects
• Gardening

In addition, extreme temperature changes can indirectly affect the setting of your moissanite stone, which could alter its resistance to scratches.

However, don’t let this deter you. With a bit of care and consideration, you can easily protect your moissanite jewellery. For instance, removing your moissanite ring or other pieces during hands-on tasks or when coming into contact with rough surfaces is advisable.

Longevity of Moissanite Jewellery

The real worth of a gemstone is determined not only by its beauty but also by its durability. Fine jewellery is designed to last. This is why a moissanite engagement ring or a heirloom necklace can maintain its beauty and brilliance over a lifetime.

Another factor contributing to the longevity of moissanite jewellery is its ability to retain clarity over the years. Unlike some gemstones that can become cloudy with age, moissanite does not lose its sparkle, ensuring that your jewellery continues to shine as brightly as the day you first wore it.

Preventing Scratches and Damage to Moissanite Jewellery

Despite moissanite’s remarkable hardness providing resistance to scratches, its durability can be further boosted with appropriate care and maintenance. After all, while moissanite is a hard stone, it’s not invincible. Learning how to care for your moissanite jewellery can ensure that it remains as brilliant and beautiful as the day you bought it.

From choosing protective settings to storing your jewellery correctly, there are several ways to prevent scratches and damage to your moissanite jewellery. Here are some of these protective strategies.

Protective Settings and Proper Storage

The way you store your moissanite jewellery can greatly affect its longevity. When not in use, storing your jewellery in a fabric-lined case with separate compartments or a protective box or pouch is best. This can protect your pieces from scratches and minimise the risk of damage.

The type of setting you choose for your moissanite stone can also play a role in its durability. Bezel settings, for example, can provide more protection for moissanite stones as they encase the edges of the gem, reducing the risk of chipping or scratching.

Removing Jewellery During Risky Activities

Another way to prevent potential damage to your moissanite jewellery is to remove it during high-risk activities. These include weightlifting, contact sports, or working out at the gym. Chemical exposure can also negatively affect your jewellery. For instance, removing your moissanite pieces before swimming in pools or cleaning with harsh chemicals is essential as these can potentially discolour the metal settings.

Heat and steam from a shower can cause expansion and contraction of the metal setting in your moissanite jewellery, leading to potential structural damage and loosening of the stones. Therefore, it’s advisable to remove your moissanite pieces before taking a shower or stepping into a sauna.

Regular Cleaning and Maintenance

Maintaining the shine and brilliance of your moissanite jewellery requires regular cleaning. You can clean your moissanite pieces at home using warm water and liquid dish soap, or opt for specialised jewellery cleaners. Gentle scrubbing with a soft toothbrush can help remove any dirt or grime that may have accumulated over time.

After cleaning, it’s crucial to rinse off any soap residue and dry the jewellery with a lint-free cloth to restore moissanite’s sparkle. Moreover, it’s recommended to have your jewellery undergo a professional cleaning and inspection at least once a year. This can ensure its brilliance is maximised and check for any damage or loose stones.

Moissanite vs Alternatives

Having discussed the durability, wearability, and care of moissanite, we can now contrast it against alternatives. How does moissanite fare compared to cubic zirconia or lab-grown diamonds? It’s time to find out.

Cubic Zirconia

Cubic zirconia is an alternative that is versatile and cost-effective. However, it falls short when compared to moissanite in terms of hardness and durability. With a Mohs scale rating of 8 to 8.5, cubic zirconia is less durable and more prone to scratching than moissanite.

While cubic zirconia offers a diamond-like sparkle at a fraction of the cost, its lower hardness level affects its long-term durability and appearance in jewellery. Over time, cubic zirconia may lose its lustre and become scratched, whereas moissanite maintains its brilliance much longer.

Lab Grown Diamonds

Lab grown diamonds are identical to mined diamonds. They share the same physical and chemical properties as mined diamonds and top the Mohs scale with a perfect 10, indicating their exceptional scratch resistance.

However, despite their hardness, lab grown diamonds can be more expensive than moissanite. Therefore, for those seeking a balance of durability, beauty, and affordability, moissanite emerges as a good choice.

Moissanite's Unique Qualities and Advantages

The appeal of moissanite is not confined to its durability and scratch resistance. This gemstone offers unique qualities and advantages, making it a popular choice for various jewellery pieces. From its affordability to its sustainability, moissanite appeals to a wide range of consumers.

Whether you’re on the hunt for the perfect engagement ring or seeking a timeless piece of jewellery, the unique qualities of moissanite make it a worthy contender. Let’s explore these aspects in more detail.

Affordability and Eco-Friendliness

One of the main selling points of moissanite is its affordability. Generally, moissanite is more affordable than lab grown diamonds, offering a sustainable and ethical alternative to mined diamonds. The cost of producing moissanite is lower than that of mining for diamonds, which contributes to its affordability.

Moreover, moissanite’s affordability doesn’t compromise its quality. Most moissanite on the market is lab created due to the rarity of natural moissanite. It’s a gemstone that appeals to consumers who prioritise sustainability and cost-effectiveness in their jewellery choices.

Brilliance and Fire

Beyond its durability and affordability, moissanite is celebrated for its qualities:

• Exceptional brilliance
• Rainbow colours
• Higher refractive index than mined diamonds

These qualities add to its visual appeal.

The brilliance of moissanite can sometimes distinguish it from diamonds. However, this quality and its rainbow flashes contribute to its unique charm and allure.

Summary

From its impressive hardness to its exceptional brilliance, moissanite stands out as a remarkable gemstone. Its high scratch resistance and durability make it an ideal choice for everyday jewellery, while its affordability and sustainability appeal to eco-conscious consumers.

Whether it’s an engagement ring or a pair of earrings, choosing moissanite means investing in a piece of jewellery that not only shines brilliantly but also withstands the test of time. With its unique qualities and advantages, it’s no wonder that moissanite is gaining popularity among jewellery enthusiasts and those seeking a durable and beautiful gemstone in its own right.