Ready to pop the question? Moissanite is a precious gemstone that is a popular choice for engagement rings thanks to its diamond-like appearance and accessible price point. However, moissanite requires regular cleaning and care to maintain its award-winning sparkle.
Caring for moissanite engagement rings
You could say that moissanite is a precious gemstone that likes the celebrity treatment. While a moissanite engagement ring is strong and durable (9.25 on the Mohs scale, a diamond is 10), our in-house jewellers recommend removing your ring while swimming, sleeping, exercising, cleaning, cooking, or any physical activity to protect it from chemicals and physical damage. Like other gemstones, moissanite can become cloudy and requires care to avoid the dreaded “oil slick”.
Moissanite is 9.25 rating on the Mohs scale, making it highly resistant to scratches and perfect for daily wear.
What is moissanite oil slick?
Oil slick is excess makeup buildup that can make moissanite appear cloudy or darker in colour, and this can build up from a very small amount of grease. The main offenders are household soap, hand sanitiser, make-up, skin oil, sweat, chlorine oil, fragrance oils and tanning lotion. The spot may be barely noticeable at first, but if your ring is not cleaned regularly, then layers of grease can start to look more visible over time. When build-up is not regularly removed from any precious gemstone, it can stubbornly cling to the surface, creating a natural reaction towards the substance exposure. Oil slick on larger stones may also be more obvious than on smaller stones due to the larger surface area.
Does oil slick affect diamonds?
Oil slick reactions can occur on many different precious gemstones depending on what is exposed to, but it is less visible on diamond stones as diamonds do not absorb oil substances easily. However, residue stains can still accumulate on diamond engagement rings and wedding bands, so they also need regular cleaning and maintenance!
How to remove moissanite oil slick at home
At Cullen, we recommend a thorough daily clean , or “day spa,” as we like to call it, for all your precious jewellery. After taking off your ring, soak it in warm water and, with a soft toothbrush, use mild dishwashing detergent to remove mild day-to-day dirt and grime. Ensure that your detergent doesn’t have aloe or vitamin E in its ingredients, as these create moisture and can make oil slick worse.
Next, clean and dry your ring thoroughly before storing it away safely to ensure any remaining residue does not cling to the wet surfaces of your ring or the facets of your gorgeous stone.
Book a complimentary ring cleaning and polishing service
Alternatively, we offer our clients a complimentary ultrasonic clean and oil slick removal service to keep their Cullen Jewellery rings sparkly; just book an appointment with us today and drop off your ring at one of our showrooms or send it to our workroom directly!
Discover our premium moissanite engagement rings
Cullen Jewellery believes in creating extraordinary client experiences while respecting tradition and artisanal skill in fine jewellery making. We are passionate about integrating cutting-edge technology with ethical and sustainable practices that benefit both people and the planet.
We believe moissanite is a truly beautiful precious gemstone with great brilliance and fire. However, like any precious gemstone, moissanite requires care and maintenance to avoid buildup over time.
Moissanite shines bright with a rainbow sparkle, offering a budget-friendly option without sacrificing beauty - all it needs is a little TLC.
For the proposal that can’t wait, explore our ready to ship engagement rings or create your lab grown diamond, moissanite or lab grown sapphire engagement ring with our engagement ring builder .
Choose a Moissanite Engagement Ring Setting