Why Your Iced Out Jewelry Gets Dull — And How to Fix It Like a Pro
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“Yo, is it just me… or is this piece not hitting like it used to?”
That’s the message we got from Marcus last summer.
Marcus is a long-time client of Black Soldier Designs. He copped a custom iced out moissanite Jesus pendant from us two years ago — a brilliant mix of faith, fashion, and fire. Back then, when the sunlight hit it, it looked like heaven cracked open and poured light all over his chest.
But now?
It just didn’t sparkle the same.
🌫️ The Problem: When Your Bling Stops Shining
Marcus wasn’t alone. In fact, we get this message a lot:
“Why is my moissanite chain turning dull?”
“My pendant looks foggy. Is it fake?”
“Do I need to replace the stones?”
Let’s get something straight right now:
Moissanite doesn’t fade. It doesn’t lose brilliance. It doesn’t turn yellow.
But it does get dirty.
And when you wear your piece everywhere — at the gym, on stage, in the club, on hot nights when you’re sweating buckets — all that oil, skin, cologne, and smoke? It builds up. Slowly. Silently.
Until one day, you look in the mirror and go, “Damn… where’s the shine?”
🔍 What Really Happens to Moissanite & Silver Over Time
Let’s break it down.
💎 Moissanite:
- One of the hardest substances on earth (9.25 on Mohs scale)
- Doesn’t fade, tarnish, or get cloudy like cubic zirconia
- BUT: it has microscopic crevices where oil and dirt can hide
- These particles scatter light, which makes your pendant look dim
🥈 Sterling Silver (925):
- Strong and stylish, but prone to tarnish when exposed to air and sweat
- This tarnish is a thin layer of sulfur-based oxidation — it darkens the metal over time
So when you combine a dirty surface + tarnished backing + daily exposure?
Boom. Dull city.
💬 Back to Marcus: The Real Story
Marcus hit us up like this:
“Yo fam. I still love this piece. But I’ve been wearing it heavy. Miami, L.A., shows every weekend. I think it needs a tune-up.”
We told him: “Send it in. Let’s bring it back to life.”
He shipped the pendant to us in a black pouch. It still had weight. It still had presence. But it didn’t have that mirror-shattering brilliance we remembered.
Time for some magic.
🧼 The Fix: Ultrasonic Cleaning and Pro Restoration
Here’s what we did — and what you can do too (with or without pro help).
Step 1: Deep Ultrasonic Bath
We dropped the pendant into a professional-grade ultrasonic cleaner. These machines send high-frequency sound waves through water, creating microbubbles that explode against every surface.
🧽 Result: They remove dirt and oil from places a toothbrush can’t reach — between the prongs, under the stones, and around the bail.
Time: 10 minutes.
Step 2: Soft Detailing by Hand
After the bath, we used a soft-bristle brush and jewelry cleaning solution to polish tight spots — especially around the Jesus piece’s facial details and crown.
Time: 15 minutes.
Step 3: Steam & Dry
We used a micro-steamer to blast off any remaining moisture or residue. Then, a lint-free cloth finished the job.
Result: Every single stone caught the light again. The silver gleamed. The face details popped.
It was back.
📦 Shipping It Back — and Marcus’ Reaction
We sent it back with a new branded box, along with a cleaning cloth and small maintenance guide.
The next day, Marcus posted this on IG:
📸 “Back like it never left 🔥✨ Thank you @blacksoldierdesigns — y’all really brought him back from the dead.”
🧠 The Lesson: Jewelry Needs Care Like Anything Else
Let’s keep it 100:
Your iced out piece is like a luxury car. It turns heads. But you still gotta clean it.
Here’s how to maintain that sparkle at home:
💡 Everyday Cleaning Tips: Do This Weekly
1. Warm Soapy Water Soak
- Bowl of warm water + mild dish soap
- Soak for 15 minutes
- Gently brush with soft toothbrush
- Rinse and pat dry with microfiber cloth
2. Avoid Harsh Chemicals
- No bleach, alcohol, or acetone
- Don’t spray cologne or deodorant directly on your chain
3. Store Smart
- Keep your piece in a dry place
- Use a pouch or anti-tarnish jewelry box
- Don’t let it sit in the sun or humid bathroom
4. Wipe It Down
- Every night before bed, use a lens cloth to wipe off oil and sweat
❓ FAQ: Real Questions We Hear All the Time
We’ve answered thousands of DMs and emails about this. Let’s put it all here:
Q1: Is it normal for moissanite to lose its shine?
Nope — not permanently. If it looks dull, it’s dirty. Moissanite doesn’t fade, it just needs to be cleaned properly.
Q2: Can I clean it myself, or do I need a pro?
You can clean it yourself! A warm water soak with a soft brush works well for weekly care. But for full restoration? We recommend pro ultrasonic cleaning every 6–12 months.
Q3: Is ultrasonic cleaning safe for moissanite?
Yes. Moissanite is tough — way tougher than CZ. Just make sure the jewelry is solid and well-constructed (which ours is), and it’s completely safe.
Q4: Will sweat ruin my iced out piece?
Not ruin, but repeated exposure without cleaning will cause buildup. Sweat carries salt, which tarnishes silver and dulls stones. That’s why weekly maintenance matters.
Q5: What if a stone falls out during cleaning?
If your piece is made right, that won’t happen. At Black Soldier Designs, we use tight micro-pavé settings and double-check every prong. If your stones are falling out, the issue isn’t the cleaning — it’s the craftsmanship.
💎 The Difference of Moissanite in the Long Run
Here’s why we keep using moissanite — and why our clients keep loving it:
- More brilliance than most diamonds
- Eco-conscious, ethical, lab-grown
- Far more affordable than diamonds
- Just as durable for daily wear
- Doesn’t yellow, crack, or fade
Plus, when it’s clean, it hits harder than anything else on the block. Period.
💬 Another Client's Story: Club Night Comeback
“I thought I killed the shine forever. Wore my Jesus pendant to three beach parties. Sunscreen, sand, sweat. Looked like trash the next day. You guys saved it.”
This happens all the time. And it’s a good reminder:
Jewelry is durable — but not invincible.
It lives with you. It absorbs your days and nights. And like anything you care about, it needs a little love now and then.
🙏 What We Offer at Black Soldier Designs
We’re not just a jewelry shop. We’re your jewelry partner for life.
Here’s how we help you shine — always:
✅ Free Consults
DM or email us with questions. If your piece looks off, we’ll help diagnose it.
✅ Ultrasonic Cleaning Service
Ship it back to us. We’ll deep clean and detail it like new.
✅ Cleaning Kits
We offer affordable at-home kits with everything you need: solution, cloths, brushes.
✅ Care Guides with Every Purchase
We include a custom cleaning and maintenance card with every custom order.
✨ Don’t Let the Light Die
Your iced out pendant says something about you. Whether it’s a custom tribute, a faith piece, or a bold street statement — it deserves to stay loud.
Don’t let sweat, lotion, smoke, or neglect mute it.
If you feel like your bling lost its voice, we’re here to bring it back.
Just like we did for Marcus. Just like we do for hundreds every year.
📞 Let’s Keep You Shining
Whether you bought from us or somewhere else, we’ll still help you figure it out. Because your chain deserves to hit like it was made yesterday.
📩 Contact us anytime at:
blacksoldierdesigns@hotmail.com
Or slide into our DMs:
@blacksoldierdesigns on Instagram
Let’s make sure your story still glows.
🔁 Recap: What to Do When Your Iced Jewelry Looks Dull
- Don’t panic — it’s likely dirt, not damage
- Soak in warm water and gently brush
- Dry with a soft cloth
- Schedule a pro ultrasonic clean for deep results
- Maintain weekly with wipes and safe storage
- Reach out to us if you’re unsure — we got you.