Does moissanite get cloudy?
No. Moissanite does not cloud, yellow or lose its sparkle with age; no gemological source we found reports it. What looks like "cloudy moissanite" is a film of skin oil, lotion and soap on the back of the stone, which blocks light. Warm water, a drop of dish soap and a soft toothbrush, or an ultrasonic cleaner for solid-metal pieces, brings it straight back.
Why it cannot cloud
Moissanite is silicon carbide, Mohs 9.25, chemically stable in air up to about 1,700 C. It does not absorb water or oil and has no coating to wear off. Its colour is fixed when the crystal grows.
What people are actually seeing
Sparkle depends on light entering the top and bouncing off the back facets. A thin layer of grease on those back facets lets light leak out, and the stone looks glassy or milky. Rings and pendants collect it fastest.
How to clean it
Soak in warm water with a drop of dish soap for a few minutes, brush the back of the stone with a soft toothbrush, rinse and dry with a lint-free cloth. An ultrasonic cleaner works for solid gold and silver pieces; keep plated, glued and costume pieces out of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does cubic zirconia get cloudy?
Yes, genuinely: CZ is softer (Mohs 8 to 8.5), and years of wear scratch and abrade its surface. That is one of the clearest differences from moissanite.
Can old moissanite look yellow?
Moissanite made before about 2015 was often slightly yellow or green from the start. Modern colourless (D to F) moissanite does not change colour.
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