Moissanite requires very little maintenance compared to most fine jewelry — but "very little" is not the same as "none." Professional servicing at the right intervals protects your setting, keeps your stone secure, and catches minor issues before they become expensive ones. Here is the honest schedule.
The Core Service Schedule
Every 12–18 Months: Prong Inspection
The single most important professional check for any prong-set ring. Prongs hold the stone in place — and prongs can bend, loosen, or wear down over years of daily wear and contact with surfaces. A jeweler with a loupe can detect prong movement that is invisible to the naked eye. Loose prongs, caught early, are a simple re-tipping job. Prongs that fail and allow stone loss are a much more expensive problem. Every 12–18 months is the standard recommendation for daily-wear rings.
Every 12–18 Months: Professional Cleaning
Even with regular at-home cleaning, residue builds up in areas that are difficult to reach — under the stone, inside the prong basket, along the pavé channel if applicable. An ultrasonic cleaner combined with steam cleaning, performed by a jeweler, removes buildup that home cleaning cannot. The result is restored brilliance, particularly in areas where the stone meets the setting.
Every 2–3 Years: Rhodium Re-Plating (White Gold Only)
If your ring is white gold, it will have been rhodium-plated at manufacture to give it a bright white surface. Rhodium plating wears off over time — typically 1–3 years depending on wear frequency and skin chemistry. When it wears through, the ring's natural yellow-gold tone begins to show. Rhodium re-plating is a fast, inexpensive service that restores the original bright white appearance. Platinum rings do not require this service. Yellow or rose gold rings do not require this service.
As Needed: Metal Polishing
Gold accumulates surface scratches over time. Polishing removes surface scratches and restores the ring's original finish. This can be done as part of a service visit or independently when the scratching becomes noticeable. Note: some people prefer the worn, matte appearance that develops over years — polishing is optional, not mandatory.
What a Service Visit Typically Costs
Prong inspection: often included free with a purchase history at the jeweler, or $20–50. Professional ultrasonic + steam clean: $20–80. Rhodium re-plating: $50–$150. These costs are modest relative to the value of keeping the ring in good condition and catching issues before they result in stone loss.
Can You Service at Any Jeweler?
Yes. Moissanite servicing does not require specialist knowledge. Any competent jeweler can inspect prongs, clean the ring, re-plate rhodium, and polish the metal. They do not need specific moissanite training for these tasks — the stone is harder than their tools and chemically inert to cleaning solutions.
The Simple Rule
Once a year, take your ring to a jeweler for a prong check and professional clean. It takes 30 minutes and costs very little. It is the single most effective thing you can do to protect a ring you intend to wear for the rest of your life.
Related reading:
How to Clean Moissanite With Household Items
Can You Use an Ultrasonic Cleaner on Moissanite?
Can Moissanite Be Repaired If Damaged?