Blog · · 4 min read
Moissanite Watches: Are They Worth It, and Do They Tarnish?
In short
A moissanite watch is a watch set with moissanite instead of diamond: it gives the iced-out look at a small fraction of a diamond watch's price. The stones do not tarnish or cloud, though the plated metal around them can wear with chemicals and friction. It is worth it for the look and for daily wear, not for resale, because moissanite resells for little.
What is a moissanite watch?
It is a watch with moissanite set into the bezel, the case or the bracelet. Some are sold fully iced; another route is to fit a moissanite bezel to a watch you already own, which is how an iced-out G-SHOCK is made.
Do moissanite watches tarnish?
Moissanite does not tarnish. It is a hard, stable gemstone, rated about 9.25 to 9.5 on the Mohs scale. The metal is what changes: plating over brass can wear where it rubs or meets chlorine, perfume or harsh cleaners. Wiping the piece after wear and storing it on its own slows that down.
Can a moissanite watch get wet?
Water does not harm the stones. The concerns are the watch and the plating: soap and chlorine leave a film on the stones and wear plating, and a modified watch may not keep its original water resistance. Take it off for the pool and the shower.
Are moissanite watches worth it?
For looks and wear, yes: moissanite is nearly as hard as diamond, shows more fire and costs far less. As an investment, no: moissanite has little resale value, and a stone-set bezel does not raise the value of the watch.
Moissanite watches for men and women
A moissanite bezel is not made for men or women; it is made for a watch model. Pick the watch by size: the GA-2100 is slim at 11.8 mm, the square DW-5600 is 42.8 mm wide, and the round DW-6900 is the largest of the three.
| G-SHOCK model | Bezel designs | In stock now | Price | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DW-6900 | 17 | 15 | $59 – $249 | DW-6900 bezels |
| GA-2100 | 17 | 17 | $149 – $299 | GA-2100 bezels |
| DW-5600 | 3 | 3 | $200 | DW-5600 bezels |
Moissanite bezels in the store now
Each listing names the model it fits, the stones and the base metal.
Common questions
Are moissanite watches real?
They are set with real moissanite, a lab-created gemstone. They are not diamond watches, and an honest listing says moissanite.
Do moissanite watches pass a diamond tester?
Moissanite passes the common thermal diamond testers. A tester that measures electrical conductivity tells moissanite from diamond.
Are moissanite watches worth anything?
They have little resale value. Their worth is in how they look and how well the stones hold up to daily wear.
Can you shower with a moissanite watch?
It is better not to. Soap leaves a film on the stones, hot water and chemicals wear plating, and a modified watch may not keep its original water resistance.