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Will moissanite go cloudy?


Moissanite is a popular diamond alternative that is gaining popularity for engagement rings and other jewelry. One of the concerns consumers have about moissanite is whether or not it will go cloudy over time. In this article, we will examine the question of whether or not moissanite can go cloudy. We will look at the chemical composition and structure of moissanite, how it compares to diamonds, factors that can cause clouding, and ways to care for moissanite jewelry. This will provide a comprehensive overview to help consumers understand if moissanite is prone to clouding.

What is moissanite?

Moissanite is a rare mineral that was first discovered in 1893 by French chemist Henri Moissan. The mineral was initially found in a meteor crater. Since natural moissanite is incredibly scarce, most moissanite used for jewelry is laboratory-created. This man-made version has the same chemical composition and hardness as naturally-occurring moissanite.

Chemically, moissanite is composed of silicon carbide. Its chemical formula is SiC. It’s structure is extremely durable, with a hardness ranking of 9.25 on the Mohs scale. This makes moissanite excellent for jewelry because it is very resistant to scratches and everyday wear.

Diamonds are comprised of carbon atoms, with a chemical formula of C. They rank a 10 on the Mohs scale for hardness. So while diamonds are slightly harder than moissanite, moissanite comes remarkably close in durability.

Why is moissanite popular?

There are several reasons moissanite is gaining popularity as an alternative to diamonds:

– Durability – As mentioned above, moissanite is remarkably hard and durable due to its silicon carbide composition. This makes it suitable for daily wear in jewelry.

– Affordability – Moissanite is much more affordable than diamonds of the same size. The price difference can be anywhere from 20-50% less than a similar diamond.

– Brilliance – With a refractive index higher than a diamond, moissanite has incredible brilliance and fire. The sparkle of a moissanite stone can sometimes exceed that of a diamond.

– Ethical sourcing – Unlike the diamond industry, moissanite is manufactured in laboratories. This eliminates concerns over unethical mining practices or sourcing of diamonds associated with some mines.

So moissanite provides an ethical, brilliant, and durable diamond alternative at a more affordable price point.

What causes clouding in gemstones?

Clouding or haziness in gemstones can occur due to several factors:

– Surface scratches – Over time, scratches and wear on the surface of a gemstone can cause light to refract improperly. This results in a cloudy appearance.

– Chemical reactions – Exposure to certain chemicals, soaps, perfumes, etc can sometimes cause corrosion or chemical reactions on the surface of some gemstones, resulting in cloudiness.

– Heat damage – Excessive heat can disrupt the molecular structure of some gemstones, causing cloudiness or blemishes.

– Radiation exposure – Some gemstones like beryl are sensitive to radiation damage. Exposure to radiation sources can lead to hazy patches or discoloration.

– Inclusions – Internal imperfections like cracks or inclusions disturb the light refraction in a gemstone, reducing clarity and brilliance.

– Coatings – Some enhancements like foil backing or surface coatings can degrade over time, leading to clouding in gemstones.

So both external factors like cleaning chemicals, scratches, or heat and internal flaws like inclusions can negatively impact the clarity of gemstones.

Is moissanite prone to clouding?

The unique chemical structure of moissanite provides resistance to many common causes of gemstone clouding:

– Resistance to scratches – With a hardness above 9 on the Mohs scale, moissanite is very scratch resistant compared to softer gemstones. This reduces potential scratch clouding.

– Stability at high temperatures – Moissanite remains stable at high temperatures. It does not display heat damage or become cloudy like some other gemstones.

– Lack of inclusions – Synthetic moissanite is flawless with very few inclusions, unlike natural gemstones which commonly have imperfections. No inclusions means light can properly refract and brilliance is maintained.

– Inert surface – The tightly bound silicon carbide structure resists chemical reactivity. Moissanite does not corrode or react with common chemicals.

While no gemstone is 100% impervious to damage, moissanite’s special structure means it is highly resistant to many common causes of gemstone clouding. Provided it is properly cared for, a moissanite stone should remain brilliant and clear for everyday wear.

How to care for moissanite

To prevent any potential clouding of moissanite jewelry over time, some basic care and cleaning steps should be taken:

– Use a professional jeweler for any resizing, repairs, or other work on moissanite jewelry. Avoid amateur DIY attempts.

– Clean moissanite with mild soap and water. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners. An ultrasonic cleaner may be used with only water.

– When storing moissanite, place pieces separately in soft cloth pouches to prevent scratches.

– Take moissanite jewelry off before doing heavy work with your hands. This will prevent accidental knocks or friction.

– Avoid exposing moissanite to extremes of temperature like very hot water when washing hands and dishes.

– Get moissanite jewelry checked annually by a jeweler to ensure prongs and settings are secure. This prevents loss of stones.

Following these basic care steps will help prevent scratches, knocks, chemicals, and heat damage that can lead to clouding over time. With proper care, moissanite should retain exceptional brilliance and fire over decades of wear.

Signs of clouding in moissanite

In rare cases, some clouding can occur in moissanite. Signs that a stone may be becoming cloudy include:

– Noticeable decrease in overall brilliance and sparkle

– Hazy patches or spots visible within the stone

– A foggy or milky appearance

– Increased refractive properties – the stone may seem illuminated from within

– A scratched surface or pits visible under magnification

If any of these signs appear, it is best to consult a jeweler. They can inspect the stone and determine if any polishing or other corrective steps need to be taken. Avoid attempting to polish or enhance moissanite at home.

Can clouded moissanite be repaired?

In some instances, clouded moissanite can be repaired and restored:

– Gentle re-polishing – A professional jeweler may be able to polish out very shallow scratches causing clouding using a specialized polishing compound.

– Surface refinishing – Laser ablation techniques can carefully resurface clouded or damaged areas of a moissanite stone. This removes damaged outer layers.

– Extreme heat – Moissanite can withstand heating to over 2000°C. Carefully controlled heating followed by rapid cooling may reverse some thermal damage.

– Acid cleaning – Using acids like nitric acid under controlled conditions can eliminate residues or films on the surface leading to haziness.

– Fracture filling – Internal fractures can sometimes be filled with glass or resin to improve clarity. This is not commonly done for moissanite.

– Recutting – For more severely damaged moissanite, the stone may need to be recut to remove flawed areas. This will result in a smaller finished size.

So while options exist, avoid DIY methods. Consulting a professional gemologist or jeweler will provide the best chance for repairing damaged moissanite stones. In some cases the damage may be irreparable if too extensive.

Will moissanite lose its sparkle?

Some gemstones like diamonds can gradually lose their brilliance over many years of constant wear. Does moissanite also lose sparkle? Here are the factors:

– Thermal stability – Moissanite remains unaltered and brilliant at extremely high temperatures. It does not lose luster due to heat damage like some other stones.

– Resistance to inclusions – Flaws and particulates that reduce sparkle rarely form within moissanite stones with continued wear.

– Hardness and toughness – With exceptional hardness and durability, moissanite resists scratches and surface wear that can diminish shine.

– Chemical inertness – The tightly bound SiC structure prevents chemical reactions that potentially cause clouding over decades.

– Cleanability – As an engineered product, moissanite is perfectly cleanable to remove any buildup like skin oils that reduce shine.

While no material is completely impervious to damage, moissanite’s unique properties mean it typically retains its brilliance essentially indefinitely with proper care and maintenance. Only severe damage would potentially diminish its sparkle. Well-cared for moissanite should stay fiery and brilliant for life.

Does moissanite look cloudy in certain light?

Some consumers have noted moissanite appearing slightly cloudy or milky in certain lighting conditions:

– Fluorescent lighting – The greenish hue of fluorescent bulbs can sometimes impart a hazy tone.

– Low light conditions – In dim lighting, moissanite may exhibit less sparkle and appear duller.

– Indirect lighting – Without direct light sources, light refraction in moissanite is reduced.

– Outdoor shade – Sunlight filtered through trees or shadows can diminish moissanite’s brilliance.

To see optimal sparkle, view moissanite under full spectrum light bulbs or direct sunlight. Avoid extensively yellow-tinted incandescent lighting. Proper lighting shows off moissanite’s incredible brilliance.

Does the cut impact cloudiness?

The cut of a moissanite stone does have some influence on its susceptibility to clouding:

– Well-cut – A precision, ideal cut provides maximum light return and sparkle. This helps disguise any small flaws or haze.

– Poor cut – A badly cut stone with uneven or shallow facets can increase the appearance of haziness and dull areas.

– Round brilliant – The standard 58-facet round brilliant cut offers superior brilliance that minimizes a cloudy look.

– Fancy cuts – Cushion, pear, oval and other fancy shapes often exhibit more cloudiness in their body compared to round cuts.

– Smaller stones – Cloudiness is more apparent and magnified in very small moissanite stones below 2mm. Larger sizes hide flaws better.

For maximum sparkle and the least potential for clouded appearance, stick with precision-cut round brilliant moissanite above 2mm in size. Well-cut moissanite stones will enhance light return and help disguise any minor flaws or inclusions that can cause cloudiness.

Does moissanite clarity grade matter?

Moissanite jewels are graded on a scale from D-J, with D representing the highest clarity grade. Does a lower clarity grade mean more potential for cloudiness?

– D-F – Almost eye-clean. Will not appear hazy or cloudy except under extreme magnification.

– G-I – Minor inclusions visible under 10x magnification. Still exceptional brilliance and unlikely to appear cloudy.

– J – Noticeable inclusions visible to the eye, but still good brilliance. May occasionally appear hazy in some lighting.

– K – Prominent inclusions and flaws visible to the eye will produce haziness.

Ideally, select moissanite with a clarity grade of G or above. While H and I may have minor microscopic flaws, they are unlikely to impart any perceived cloudiness under normal conditions. Lower clarity grades below I will have more inclusions that can detract from moissanite’s natural brilliance.

Does age increase cloudiness?

Moissanite is an exceptionally stable gemstone material. Its durability means it can remain clear and brilliant for many years with proper care. Here are the factors:

– Hardness does not decrease – Unlike some gems, moissanite retains hardness and does not show increased scratching over time.

– Resists thermal degradation – Moissanite is incredibly heat resistant. It does not become hazy with extensive high temperature exposure.

– Chemically inert – The SiC bonds resist damage from chemical exposure or reactions even over decades of wear.

– Impervious to radiation – Moissanite is unaffected by even strong radiation sources. No radiation damage or clouding occurs.

– Stable inclusions – Any minor inclusions remain stable and do not propagate or increase in size as moissanite ages.

While extremely old moissanite is rare, nearly all evidence shows moissanite withstands the test of time exceptionally well. With proper care and maintenance, moissanite should remain brilliant for a lifetime of wear without increased cloudiness due to age.

Conclusion

Moissanite’s unparalleled hardness, thermal conductivity, chemical inertness and brilliant cut combine to make it highly resistant to clouding and hazing issues. While no material is completely immune to damage, moissanite’s durability and stable structure minimize the risks that can cause reduced clarity and brilliance in gemstones. With reasonable care and maintenance, moissanite jewelry should retain its crystalline clarity, fire and sparkle for many decades of wear. For consumers seeking an affordable, ethical diamond alternative, moissanite delivers stunning beauty and brilliance with minimal risk of becoming cloudy over time.