It’s tough to get the balance between style, durability, and price for your jewellery set up for everyday use. Ideally, you need your favourite rings to gleam through an early meeting down in the Melbourne CBD, to weather a blazing mid-morning sun, and then to grace your hand for a leisurely afternoon meander by the Brisbane River. For the ultimate in forever-wearing pieces, diamonds have traditionally been the standard go-to, but even the biggest diamond fanatics have started to ask some challenging questions about ethics and expense, seeking something else.

Enter moissanite. The bright gemstone has quickly soared across the nation to become a must-have accessory for anyone interested in being at the cutting-edge of fashion jewellery Australia. However, it's essential to realise that looks are just one part of shopping for jewellery you’re planning to wear constantly throughout the day, because your jewellery will need to handle a lot of wear and tear.

The article delves into the intricacies of science, wearability and value of the gemstone to help you find your answer if it’s time for this remarkable stone to secure its forever position in your jewellery collection.

Quick Answer:

Absolutely. Moissanite jewellery is made to wear on a daily basis. On the Moh’s hardness scale Moissanite rates at a high 9.25 which means that only diamonds rate higher, making it a highly scratch-resistant gemstone that will never be subject to fading. Moissanite offers all the same luxury and glamour as traditional jewellery at a fraction of the cost. It also has environmental benefits as opposed to traditional mined diamond jewellery for the modern Australians on the move.

What is Moissanite and Where Does It Come From?

The answer as to why these gemstones shine so brightly relies on the answer to what they are. In fact, the earth's original natural moissanite has long since been depleted. GIA stated records of discovery indicate that French chemist Dr. 

Henri Moissan first discovered the natural wonder in Arizona in the late 1890s, within a meteorite crash site. As collecting from space is clearly not a viable resource for gemstone harvesting, many decades have passed since humans engineered a means to cultivate and create their own sparkling varieties of moissanite in laboratory settings.

The best moissanite rings, earrings, and necklaces you find on the market have a gem produced in the laboratory! The element is silicon carbide, having the same optical features and structure as the earthly crystal minerals discovered, but the one grown in the laboratory comes without the significant fissures or impurities typical for the earthly-origin-formed minerals; hence, it is very clean and sparkly.

Is Moissanite Durable Enough for Daily Wear?

The first consideration when considering jewellery for everyday wear is durability. Life isn’t a static display; the body comes into frequent contact with materials: steering wheels are nudged while on your way to work, desks and doors are hit on the way into the office, and we run into zippers, keys and change.

The Mohs Scale of Hardness

Gemstone durability is rated by the Mohs scale, ranging from 1 (most fragile – talc) to 10 (most durable – diamond). Moissanite ranks at 9.25.

And to give that some perspective, quartz (the stuff we get in our house dust!) would be a 7 and sapphires and rubies would be a 9 on this Mohs Hardness scale. Since moissanite is stronger than most of the things it’ll come into contact with during the everyday course of life, it’s very nearly indestructible!

Everyday Impact and Resilience

Whereas hardness is defined by scratch resistance, toughness is defined as breaking and chipping resistance when under attack. No matter what, when a stone is hit with extreme strength from an angle they could break or chip. Yet, the molecular composition and silicon carbide compound of Moissanite is designed in such a way that they do not contain a structural plane that would define weakness under shock.

Does Moissanite Scratch Easily Compared to Diamonds?

Nope, because at 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale, it’s extremely difficult to scratch the gemstone with anything except another piece of moissanite, or if you happen to have access to a loose diamond.

Rank	Material	Mohs Hardness
1	Diamond	10.0
2	Moissanite	9.25
3	Sapphire/Ruby	9.0
4	Quartz (Dust/Sand)	7.0

In a comparison of moissanite vs diamond side by side on scratch resistance, there's no doubt that diamonds carry away the crown with a flawless 10. Yet you will never really notice a difference in day-to-day wear. You can select an engagement ring moissanite option or wear your moissanite pendant around, knowing that everyday functions such as washing dishes, heading to the gym or even typing will not cause you to acquire those micro-scratches.

Instead of soft stones like cubic zirconia (a hardness of 8 to 8.5 and easily become a cloudy web of tiny scratches on the facet), moissanite remains smooth like glass no matter how old it is.

Does Moissanite Lose Its Sparkle Over Time?

A really common anxiety for anyone that's considering an alternative gemstone is, you know, will this stone start to cloud or dull over time? That's a real issue for inexpensive simulant diamonds; it certainly is not for good-quality moissanite.

The Refractive Index and Fire

Did you know that Moissanite actually refracts more light than diamond does? While a diamond gets a rating of 2.42 for the refractive index, Moissanite will get between 2.65 and 2.69 – allowing light to be bounced and scattered more to deliver a breathtaking degree of sparkle.

Not to mention it has twice as much 'fire' – or spread – as a diamond. 'Fire' is how we describe the flashes of light on rainbow colours that a diamond gleams with when sunlight hits it. Put a moissanite ring outside on a sunny day and it will flash bright, individualised, and ever-changing colours in the sunlight.

The "Oil Slick" Effect Myth

Some of the discussions found online in forums refer to an older moissanite gemstone having lost some of its lustre temporarily – an oil film "glosses" over its surface. It is important to understand that this change is NOT part of the gemstone itself; rather, it is the gradual build-up of dirt, grime, hand lotion, hard water, and oils. Moissanite stones do have a minor affinity to oils, so they’ll draw these materials in after some months of being worn regularly and a quick wipe with a tissue or a jewellery cleaner should see to the return of the sparkler.

How Long Does Moissanite Jewellery Last in the Australian Climate?

How long jewellery will actually last often depends on the kind of climate you have in your home. Australia isn't the most forgiving environment: from high levels of UV ray damage to extreme humidity in the tropical north, dry inland heat and the unavoidable elements of sea salt and perspiration.

Under all of these circumstances, the moissanite crystal remains completely unharmed and unaltered. Its level of thermal resistance is exceptional – in fact, it resists 1800°C, far hotter than what it takes to burn a diamond. It won’t distort, chip or become discoloured if it is exposed for days to the intensity of the summer sunshine, and it won’t react with those harmless natural acids found in sweat or salt sea air. So if you are walking through the muggy atmosphere by the Brisbane River or cycling on your daily trip through the sweltering streets of Adelaide, it’s a safe and durable companion.

Can You Wear a Moissanite Ring or Necklace to Bondi Beach?

While the gem is hardy enough to survive a seaside escapade, beach settings should probably be approached with care, as sand can cause some interaction with metal settings.

Sand is primarily a crystalline quartz substance. Quartz (Mohs hardness of 7) and moissanite (9.25) will not scratch your gem, as the small sand particles on the beach – such as at Bond Beach or on the Gold Coast – will do nothing to the stone. Sterling silver, 9 ct and 18 ct gold or platinum are much softer than sand (average hardness from 2.5-4.5).

When you dig or scratch the metal on the bands on your usual jewellery against it, tiny abrasions can be a fact of time over the metal frame on your everyday adornment. Moreover, your fingers may diminish somewhat as the cold seawater surrounds your digits, leaving the opportunity for the rings to fly right off into the wavy spray of the surf. Due to both factors, we encourage taking out any beloved gemstone rings or anything with a treasure gemstone into the treasure with you.

How Do Moissanite and Diamond Compare for an Engagement Ring?

For those wanting stunning visual appeal, impressive wearability, and budget-friendliness – a moissanite engagement ring makes an ideal option. Evidence collected over time from global trends in wedding and engagement jewellery tracked by entities like the International Gem Society (IGS) shows young, engaged couples want to avoid age-old expectations.

When you buy something meant for a lifetime to be worn practically every day, a moissanite ring performs exactly the same as a diamond ring for practical wearing, no matter if it's cloudy, scratched, or broken during regular daily wear. It gives you a little spare cash to spend on other major life milestones, like putting it on the house or taking the trip of a lifetime.

Is Moissanite Jewellery Worth Buying as Affordable Luxury?

Authentic luxury can’t depend on the threat of losing one in a lifetime of expensive material. Moissanite was revolutionary with its affordable luxury jewellery pieces for women, a luxury everyone can appreciate with elegant, brilliant-cut designs.

When opting for this alternative, you get the lustrous shine and wear-all-day lasting power of high-quality jewellery, minus the premium price tag you get with natural precious stones. Being built affordably, this allows you to easily develop a wardrobe of workhorse fine jewellery items, ranging from statement pendants to understated stud earrings – and wear them all, knowing that your purchases will endure over time.

Gemstone Comparison: Moissanite, Diamond, and Cubic Zirconia

To see how these options compare for everyday use, let's look at the primary choices side-by-side:

Conclusion & Next Steps

Considering its spectacular hardness, incomparable fire, ethically minded sourcing and affordability, the argument of why moissanite Jewellery would make the perfect everyday option really does tick every box! Moissanite Jewellery is created to stand the physical challenges of our busy modern lifestyles, so let it twinkle through that early morning commute to work, those exciting beach visits at the weekend, and beyond.

At Prism & Pearl, we understand that beautiful jewellery doesn’t need to come at the expense of your safety and peace of mind. From conception through completion to every little sparkle, our designs have been thoughtfully and expertly created to be the perfect addition to your everyday aesthetic. Ready to add some everyday sparkle that lasts, take a peek through our hand-picked collections below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you shower while wearing moissanite jewellery?

Yes, you can shower with the jewellery on – you will not harm the stone itself. Nonetheless, frequent exposure to heavy conditioners, soaps, and harsh water will develop a layer of haze over the surface of your gem over time. Taking your ring off when showering will ensure that your jewellery maintains optimum sparkle, even with the most minimalist cleaning efforts.

Does moissanite pass a diamond tester?

Yes, virtually all ordinary diamond testers test for stones in use by measuring heat conduction properties. The extremely close thermal conductivity of the moissanite means that it is commonly identified as a diamond by the majority of heat detectors. To distinguish the two from one another, one requires a conductivity metre specifically designed for detecting diamond.

Is moissanite considered a fake diamond?

No, it is an entirely unique type of naturally available mineral that can grow artificially within lab settings. They have a different chemical compound of silicon carbide and much better clarity and sparkle than real diamonds. It is not at all a copy-paste diamond alternative.

Will moissanite turn green or yellow in the sun?

In the early days stones would yellow and then sometimes turn green or yellow with exposure to the sun, but with today's technology the modern stones are guaranteed to never be coloured by any degree of light exposure.

Can a local jeweller resize a moissanite ring?

Yes, it's generally safe to resize the precious metal rings here with a professional jeweller. The gem is not a good heat conductor and will have no trouble at all going through all the temperatures associated with resizing and repairs without coming out.

Why does my moissanite stone look different on cloudy days?

The high refraction and dispersion of the stone cause the stone to move to the ambient light. The fire that jumps through the stone in strong daylight will be all rainbow colours; in indirect light, the soft grey-white ambience will enter the stone.