Every week we answer the same questions from buyers who are new to moissanite and trying to decide whether the round brilliant shape is right for their customers. Instead of repeating ourselves by email, we gathered the twelve most common questions about round brilliant moissanite and answered them the way we would on a factory tour. If something you need is not covered, you can always ask directly through the inquiry page.
The basics
1. What is round brilliant moissanite? It is a lab-grown silicon carbide gemstone cut into the classic 57-facet round shape. It looks similar to a diamond but has more fire and a fraction of the cost.
2. Is moissanite a real gemstone? Yes. Moissanite is a genuine mineral, first discovered in a meteor crater and now grown in controlled environments. It is not glass or cubic zirconia; it is a distinct crystalline material. We explain the science in our article on silicon carbide.
3. How hard is it? Moissanite rates 9.25 on the Mohs scale, second only to diamond among gemstones. That makes it safe for everyday rings, studs and bracelets that would scratch softer stones.
Appearance and buying
4. Does round brilliant moissanite look like a diamond? Face-up, most people cannot tell them apart without a tester. Moissanite throws slightly more rainbow fire, which some buyers love and others call "too much". Under a loupe it has double refraction, which is the giveaway for trained eyes.
5. What color should I buy? For white-metal bridal, D to F. F to G is a popular margin choice. Below G the warm tint becomes visible in a bright face-up round. Our round brilliant collection is stocked in D-F standard.
6. What clarity grade do I need? Our stock runs VVS1 to VS2, all eye-clean. For a solitaire that clients will inspect under 10x, choose VVS. For halos and bands, VS is perfectly fine.
7. Does it come with a certificate? Every stone ships with a GRA certificate matched to a laser inscription on the girdle. We explain each field in our GRA guide.
Price and sourcing
8. How does the price compare to diamond? Round brilliant moissanite costs a small fraction of a comparable diamond, which is the whole reason the wholesale margin is attractive. The exact price depends on size, clarity and quantity tier; contact us for the current tier sheet.
9. What is the minimum order? Our MOQ starts at one stone for sample orders, so you can test a 1ct round before committing to a bulk run. This is explained in the sample order process.
10. Can I get a specific mm size? Yes. We cut to custom diameters. A 1ct round is about 6.5mm, but we can produce in between-sizes for unusual settings. Browse standard sizes like the 0.5ct round, 2ct round and 3ct round.
Care and lifestyle
11. How do I clean it? Warm water, a drop of mild dish soap, and a soft brush under the stone. Ultrasonic cleaners are generally safe for moissanite, but avoid harsh chemicals if the ring has other gems.
12. Will it cloud or change color over time? No. Moissanite is stable and does not yellow or cloud with age. It can pick up body oils on the surface, which makes it look dull, but a simple cleaning restores the sparkle. Read more in our durability guide.
That covers the questions we hear most. If you are comparing shapes, start with the complete cut guide, or browse all our educational articles on the guides index.
Sizing and conversion details
Customers often ask about exact mm sizes, so it helps to know the common conversions. A 0.5ct round is about 5mm, a 1ct round about 6.5mm, a 2ct round about 8mm, and a 3ct round about 9mm. Because moissanite is cut to ideal proportions, these numbers are consistent across our stock, so a 6.5mm round fits the same setting a 1ct diamond would. This predictability is why rounds are easy to set and easy to sell. For the full chart, see the carat to mm guide.
Comparing moissanite to other alternatives
Buyers sometimes ask how moissanite sits next to cubic zirconia or diamond simulants. Moissanite is far more durable than CZ and has a completely different optical behavior: it is harder, brighter, and does not scratch or cloud. We break this down in our cost and margin comparison. In short, moissanite is a step above CZ in every way that matters for fine jewelry, while still costing a fraction of diamond.
Ordering from a factory directly
If you are new to buying loose stones, the process is simpler than you expect: tell us the cut, carat, color and clarity you need, we quote the tier price, you place a sample order, you inspect, then you place the bulk order. Every stone ships GRA-certified and laser-inscribed. You can start this conversation on the custom cut page or browse the standard round collection. We ship worldwide from Wuzhou, the center of the moissanite industry, as we describe in our Wuzhou article.
How ordering rounds works for new buyers
If you are sourcing round moissanite for the first time, the process is straightforward. Tell us the carat, color and clarity you need, plus the quantity tier. We quote, you place a sample order of one stone, inspect it, and then place the bulk order. Every stone ships with a GRA certificate and a matching girdle laser inscription. There is no long minimum; MOQ starts at one. This low-risk entry is explained in the sample process article.
Comparing suppliers on round moissanite
Not all rounds are equal. Compare three things: the actual proportions (ask for the scope report), the clarity range in stock, and whether the supplier ships with GRA certification. A supplier who refuses to share proportions or ships uncertified stones is one to avoid. We publish our standard grades on the round collection page and include the certificate with every stone. For the broader buying checklist, see our supplier audit checklist.
Starting your first round order
If these answers have you ready to order, the next step is simple: decide the carat and grade, then request a sample. We ship one stone so you can check the cut, color and certificate before committing to volume. Most buyers find that a sample removes all doubt. When the sample passes, the bulk order uses the same production standards. Browse the standard sizes on the round collection or start a custom request on custom cut.