Bottom Line Up Front: Moissanite rings last a lifetime with proper care. At 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale, moissanite is extremely durable and designed to maintain its brilliance indefinitely. With regular cleaning and responsible wear, your moissanite engagement ring will sparkle as brilliantly on your 50th anniversary as it did on your engagement day.
The short answer to "how long do moissanite rings last?" is simple: forever.
Why Moissanite Lasts So Long
Moissanite ranks 9.25 to 9.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it the second hardest gemstone after diamond's perfect 10. For context, emeralds rate 8 and rubies rate 9, so moissanite is definitely a superior choice if durability matters to you.
This exceptional hardness means moissanite resists scratching from virtually everything you encounter in daily life. Unlike softer gemstones that become porous and prone to scratching over time, moissanite is extremely durable, non-porous, and scratch-resistant. Grime cannot penetrate the stone and only accumulates on the surface where it can be easily cleaned off.
Moissanite also lacks the natural cleavage planes that create weak points in some gemstones, making its surface uniform throughout and eliminating structural weakness. This means moissanite rings can withstand daily wear's inevitable bumps and impacts without developing chips or fractures.
What Can Affect Longevity
While moissanite itself lasts indefinitely, a few factors influence your ring's overall lifespan.
Setting Quality The ring's setting matters more than the stone for long-term durability. Well-made prongs, bezels, and metalwork protect your moissanite while maintaining structural integrity through decades of wear. Some cuts like princess and marquise shapes are slightly more susceptible to impact damage due to their pointed corners, though this applies to any gemstone in these cuts.
Care Habits The only thing that can cause moissanite to appear cloudy is exposure to certain chemicals or dirt buildup. However, this is temporary and easily fixed with proper cleaning. No, moissanite doesn't get permanently cloudy - any dullness is just surface buildup that can be easily cleaned.
Lifestyle Factors Regular activities won't harm moissanite, but it's advisable to remove your ring during physical activities, swimming, cleaning with harsh chemicals, or applying beauty products to prevent unnecessary wear on the setting.
Simple Care for Lifetime Beauty
Monthly Cleaning Clean your moissanite ring at home using warm water and mild dish soap. Soak the ring for 10-15 minutes, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush to reach crevices in the setting, rinse thoroughly, and dry with a lint-free cloth. This simple routine maintains maximum brilliance.
Annual Professional Care Visit a jeweller annually for professional cleaning and inspection. They can perform ultrasonic cleaning to remove stubborn buildup and inspect the setting for any wear that might threaten stone security. Many jewellers offer this service affordably as part of routine maintenance.
Smart Storage Store your moissanite ring separately from other jewellery to prevent scratches. A lined jewellery box with individual compartments or soft pouches protects both the stone and setting when not being worn.
Lifetime Warranties and Real-World Performance
Many reputable moissanite retailers offer lifetime warranties specifically because of the stone's proven durability. Quality moissanite comes with Limited Lifetime Warranties guaranteeing the optical properties won't change over time, including colour and clarity.
Moissanite rings from the 1990s still maintain their original brilliance today with proper care.
Signs Your Ring Needs Attention
Watch for these indicators that your ring needs care:
- Reduced brilliance or sparkle (usually indicates cleaning needed)
- Loose stones or wobbly settings (requires professional attention)
- Visible damage to prongs or metalwork (needs immediate repair)
- Persistent cloudiness after cleaning (rare, but warrants professional inspection)
A moissanite ring with proper care can last a lifetime and beyond. The stone's exceptional durability ensures it retains its brilliance and beauty through decades of daily wear, making it perfect for engagement rings meant to symbolise enduring commitment.
Ready to discover moissanite engagement rings designed for lifetime beauty? Book a consultation to explore how moissanite's exceptional longevity makes it perfect for your forever ring.
Thanks for reading! Jared & Brie
