The questions that come up on every first order
New wholesale buyers ask the same ten things within their first three orders. We have collected them here so you can get answers before you place the line, instead of after a stone arrives and does not fit the mounting.
1. Do all moissanite cuts come with a certificate?
Reputable suppliers ship each stone with a GRA certificate listing carat equivalent, dimensions, color grade, and cut grade. The certificate number should be laser-inscribed on the girdle. If a quote does not mention certification, ask. Uncertified stone is a return waiting to happen.
2. Is moissanite sold by carat or by millimeter?
Both. The line sheet lists carat equivalent, but the physical mm measurement is what matters for mounting. Always ask for mm on any cut you plan to set. Rounds are the most predictable; fancy shapes vary more between suppliers.
3. Which cut looks largest for the money?
Oval, pear, and marquise cover more finger per carat than a round of the same weight. If face-up size is the sales story, those three shapes deliver it without an upsell.
4. Which cut is the safest first order?
Round brilliant. It is the shape every customer recognizes, it is the easiest to reorder, and it is the cut most likely to sell in under thirty days. Build the rest of the line around it.
5. Why is the asscher cut so much more expensive?
The asscher is a square step cut with a stepped corner and a precise central facet arrangement. It requires more hand-finishing to keep the step lines straight, and the demand is smaller, so production runs are shorter. It is a specialty SKU, not a volume SKU — stock one, not ten.
6. Do fancy shapes chip more easily?
Pointed shapes — marquise, pear, princess corners — are more vulnerable at the tips and corners than a round. They are still durable enough for everyday wear, but they should be set with reinforced prongs or a bezel, and the customer should be told to avoid heavy knocks. Moissanite's hardness of 9.25 on the Mohs scale means it scratches far less than any colored stone; the risk is chipping, not scuffing.
7. Can I order a custom cut or custom size?
Most suppliers offer cut-to-order on the common shapes in non-standard mm sizes. Lead time runs two to three weeks. Confirm the minimum order quantity and whether custom stones are returnable before you commit.
8. Which cuts pair with a flush wedding band?
Round, oval, princess, and cushion sit cleanly against a straight band. Pear and marquise need a contoured band because of the pointed ends. Emerald and asscher sit flush if the setting is built straight, but the step-cut corners need corner prongs that can interfere with a tight-fitting band.
9. Does the cut affect the color I see?
Yes. Step cuts show body color more readily than brilliants because the large table lets the eye look deep into the stone. Buy a higher color grade for emerald and asscher than you would for a round of the same size. Brilliants scatter light and hide warm undertones more effectively.
10. How do I handle a customer who wants a "diamond look" but picks a step cut?
Show them both. The step cut is beautiful, but it does not behave like a round diamond. If their mental reference is diamond sparkle, steer them to a radiant or cushion — they get the modern shape with the brilliant light return.
11. Is the asscher cut the same as the emerald cut?
No, and confusing them is a common mistake. The asscher is square, with cut corners and a concentric stepped pattern that creates a dark central square. The emerald is rectangular, with straight corners and a more open table. They share step-cut behavior but read completely different on the hand. The asscher is the vintage one; the emerald is the modern minimalist one. Stock one of each if your client base overlaps both aesthetics.
12. How much should I order of each cut on a first wholesale account?
A safe first order is heavily weighted to rounds and ovals. A typical opening buy might be ten rounds, four ovals, two cushions, two princesses, and one each of pear, marquise, heart, emerald, asscher, and radiant. This covers the high-volume shapes without tying up cash in the long tail. Reorder based on what actually sells in the first ninety days rather than what you hoped would sell.
13. Do wholesale prices differ by cut enough to change my buying?
Yes, but the gap is usually narrower than customers assume. Fancy shapes run 10 to 25 percent cheaper per carat equivalent than rounds at the wholesale level, which is why they look like good value on a line sheet. The gap narrows once you add setting cost, especially on pointed shapes. Price the whole finished piece before deciding which cut to stock, not just the loose stone. See asscher moissanite rings for current specialty shapes.