How to Care for Your
Moissanite Jewelry

Moissanite scores 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale. It doesn't cloud, it doesn't fade, and it won't shatter if you accidentally knock it against a countertop. But "tough" doesn't mean "indestructible" — and a handful of simple habits will keep it looking like new for decades.

Why Moissanite Is Already Low-Maintenance

Before we get into what to do, it helps to understand what you're actually working with. Moissanite is silicon carbide — one of the hardest materials on earth, second only to diamond. That hardness is what makes it scratch-resistant in everyday wear. Unlike softer stones like opals, pearls, or even sapphires, moissanite isn't going to show wear marks from a handbag zipper or a car door.

It also doesn't cloud permanently. Some gemstones develop a haze over time as oils and minerals penetrate the surface — moissanite doesn't absorb anything. Any dulling you see is surface-level buildup that cleans off completely. That's an important distinction: your moissanite isn't degrading, it just needs a wash.

Where you do need to pay attention is the metal setting. At Hermin, our moissanite pieces are set in gold vermeil over sterling silver — a durable combination, but one that responds differently to chemicals and moisture than the stone itself. Most of the care tips below are as much about protecting the setting as the gem.

How to Clean Moissanite at Home

You don't need specialist products. You don't need a jewelry cleaning machine. What you need is warm water, dish soap, and five minutes.

The Quick Reference — Do's & Don'ts

What Actually Damages Moissanite Jewelry

Most people expect the stone to be the vulnerable part. It rarely is. The setting — specifically the gold vermeil layer over sterling silver — is what needs the most protection. Here's a breakdown of the real risks, ranked by how much damage they actually cause:

Notice that physical scratching sits at the bottom. That's moissanite's hardness at work — the stone itself is nearly impervious to everyday wear. The real enemies are chemical: chlorine degrades metal alloys, perfume leaves residue that dulls the stone's surface, and oils from skincare products build up in the setting over time. These are all preventable with consistent habits.

Storing Your Moissanite the Right Way

Storage is the care step most people skip — and it's where a lot of preventable damage happens. Moissanite scores 9.25 on the Mohs scale, which means it can scratch other gemstones if they're stored together. Conversely, diamond (the only material harder than moissanite) can scratch moissanite. Loose storage in a jewelry box with mixed pieces is a recipe for surface damage over time.

The Right Approach

Individual soft pouches are the simplest and most effective solution. One piece per pouch — no contact between metals or stones. A lined jewelry tray with separate compartments works equally well for pieces you wear regularly. For anything you're storing long-term, wrap in a small square of lint-free cloth before placing in the pouch to absorb any residual moisture.

Environment matters too. Avoid storing jewelry in bathrooms — the daily humidity from showers accelerates tarnishing on gold vermeil settings more than almost anything else. A bedroom drawer or a dedicated jewelry box in a dry room is ideal.

A Note on Gold Vermeil Settings Specifically

Because Hermin's moissanite pieces are set in gold vermeil over sterling silver, it's worth understanding how that setting interacts with care routines — the advice isn't identical to caring for solid gold.

Gold vermeil is real gold plating (14K or 18K) over a full-body sterling silver base. The plating is thick and durable — far more so than standard gold-plated jewelry — but it is still a surface layer. The good news: everything that protects the moissanite stone also protects the vermeil setting. Avoiding chemicals, keeping it dry, and cleaning gently with soap and water is the right approach for both.

Over time — typically after several years of daily wear — the gold layer on vermeil pieces may show some natural wear at contact points like clasps and edges. This is completely normal and doesn't affect the piece structurally. A jeweler can re-plate the setting when needed, restoring it to its original appearance. This is one of the practical advantages of gold vermeil over sterling silver: the base remains intact and valuable regardless of the plating's condition.

Common Questions

Can I wear moissanite in the shower?

The stone can handle it — moissanite is waterproof. The setting is the issue. Regular water exposure, especially with soap or shampoo residue, gradually dulls gold vermeil and accelerates wear on the plating. Better to take it off. It takes five seconds and adds years to the piece.

My moissanite looks cloudy — is it damaged?

Almost certainly not. Cloudiness in moissanite is almost always surface buildup — lotion, soap film, skin oils — not permanent damage to the stone. Run it through the warm water and soap clean described above and the cloudiness will clear completely. If it doesn't, that's worth having a jeweler look at, but this is rare.

Can I use a jewelry cleaning machine?

Ultrasonic cleaners are fine for the moissanite stone itself, but we don't recommend them for pieces with prong settings or delicate gold vermeil work. The vibration can loosen prongs over time. Stick with the manual soap and water method — it's gentler and just as effective.

Does moissanite need to be re-polished?

No. Unlike softer stones that develop surface scratches over time, moissanite's hardness means it maintains its polish essentially indefinitely under normal wear. You won't need a jeweler to re-polish the stone — just keep it clean.

How do I know if my setting needs attention?

Once a month, hold your piece up to the light and gently try to wiggle the stone with a fingernail. Any movement means a prong needs tightening — take it to a jeweler before the stone becomes at risk of falling out. Catching this early is a five-minute fix; catching it late can mean losing the stone entirely.