Melbourne client care · Made in Surat
Moissanite is one of the hardest materials on Earth at 9.25 on the Mohs scale. It will not scratch under normal daily conditions, will not fade, will not cloud and will not lose its optical properties over time. This guide explains exactly what moissanite's longevity looks like in practice.
Moissanite will last a lifetime in normal daily wear. At 9.25 on the Mohs scale, it is the second hardest gemstone in common jewellery use — behind only diamond at 10. Nothing in your daily environment will scratch a moissanite: not keys, not coins, not metal surfaces, not granite countertops. The only material that can scratch moissanite is diamond or another moissanite.
The optical properties of moissanite — its brilliance, fire and colour — are properties of the silicon carbide crystal structure. They are permanent. A moissanite that sparkles brilliantly today will sparkle with identical brilliance in 50 years, provided it is kept clean. The stone does not age, degrade or change.
The Mohs hardness scale runs from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond). It measures scratch resistance — how difficult it is for a material to be scratched by another material. A harder material scratches a softer one.
| Material | Mohs Hardness | Can Scratch Moissanite? |
|---|---|---|
| Diamond | 10 | Yes — diamond scratches everything |
| Moissanite | 9.25 | Only by diamond or another moissanite |
| Corundum (sapphire, ruby) | 9 | No — moissanite is harder than sapphire |
| Topaz | 8 | No |
| Quartz / hardened steel | 7 | No |
| Keys, coins, most metals | 5–6 | No |
| Glass | 5.5 | No |
| Fingernail | 2.5 | No |
Moissanite will not permanently lose its sparkle. The optical properties are fixed in the crystal structure and do not change with time or wear. However, moissanite brilliance can be significantly reduced temporarily by product buildup — particularly lotions, oils and soaps that accumulate under and around the stone.
A moissanite that appears dull is almost always a moissanite that needs cleaning. A thorough clean with warm water, mild dish soap and a soft brush restores the original brilliance completely. This is not the stone losing its sparkle — it is the stone being obscured by surface accumulation.
While the stone itself is permanent, some things associated with a moissanite ring can change over time. Being clear about what is and is not permanent prevents disappointment.
In practical daily wear, moissanite and diamond rings have virtually identical longevity profiles for the stone itself. The small hardness difference (9.25 vs 10) has no practical effect in normal daily conditions.
| Longevity Factor | Moissanite | Diamond | Practical Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scratch resistance in daily wear | Excellent — nothing in daily life scratches it | Excellent — nothing in daily life scratches it | None in practice |
| Optical property permanence | Permanent — crystal structure does not change | Permanent | None |
| Colour stability | Permanent | Permanent | None |
| Chip resistance under impact | Very good — silicon carbide is tough | Good — diamonds can chip at edges under sharp impact | Both excellent in practice |
| Care requirements | Monthly clean, annual inspection | Monthly clean, annual inspection | Identical |
Common questions about moissanite durability and longevity.
Book a free online consultation. Yash Chandpara explains what a moissanite ring looks like after years of daily wear and what care keeps it in perfect condition.
