A bride in Dallas returned her wedding band because it sat 1.2 mm off the engagement ring. The two pieces had been bought separately; the band was straight, the engagement ring had a cathedral shoulder that curved out over the finger. No notch had been cut into the band. The return ate the margin on both rings and the client did not come back for the anniversary piece.
Wedding bands are not bought on their own. They are bought against an existing engagement ring. Below are the contour and notch configurations we build so the band sits flush.
Why a straight band leaves a gap
A straight band is a flat strip of metal. An engagement ring with a cathedral shoulder, a halo head or a raised basket pushes the setting above the finger by 1.0 to 1.8 mm. The straight band runs under that shoulder and leaves a crescent-shaped gap at the shoulder. On a 6.5 mm cathedral solitaire, the gap measures about 1.2 mm at the shoulder and narrows to zero at the fingertip. That gap is where lotion collects and where the band tilts.
Contour versus notched
A contour (curved) band bends in a smooth arc to follow the curve of the engagement ring's shoulder. It is the standard choice for solitaire and halo rings with rounded shoulders. A notched band cuts a U-shaped slot where the engagement ring's head sits, and it is used when the engagement ring has a low head that sits flat on the finger. We measure the notch from a tracing of the existing ring; buyers should send a side-view photo and a head-height measurement before we cut the wax. Our wedding band matching guide lists the photo angles we ask for.
The millgrain and flush-fit tolerance
We hold a flush-fit tolerance of 0.1 mm between the two rings. Above 0.2 mm, the gap is visible to the eye and the band rocks on the finger. Millgrain edges on the band add about 0.1 mm of width, so we trim the band wall by 0.05 mm to keep the flush fit. Buyers asking for a plain polish band get a 0.1 mm tighter tolerance than buyers asking for a pav band, because pav stones sit proud of the wall.
Matching a low head versus a high head ring
A low head sits 1.6 mm off the finger and takes a contour band. A high head sits 2.2 mm off the finger and takes a notched band that wraps under the basket. On a halo engagement ring, the pav ring around the centre adds 1.6 mm of width, so the notch has to be 0.5 mm deeper than on a solitaire. We confirm the head height on the signed intake sheet, not on a phone call. Our his and hers matching sets guide shows how we pair band width across the two pieces.
His band width matching
Her band runs 2.5 to 3.0 mm wide; his band runs 5.0 to 6.0 mm wide in our standard set. We match the finish (brushed, high polish, satin) across the two so they read as a pair. Width differences under 0.5 mm are invisible when the rings are worn on separate hands; differences above 1 mm read as a mismatch in product photos. Our men's band width profile lists the widths we build for him.
Measuring the existing ring
We ask buyers for three measurements before we cut the wax: the head height off the finger, the shoulder width at the point where the band will meet, and the ring size. A side-view photo taken on a ruler gives us the head height to within 0.2 mm. We cross-check the dimensions against IGI ring sizing and measurement references so the contour matches the existing band width. Moissanite is not IGI-graded, but the ring measurement vocabulary is the same. Buyers who skip the measuring step and send only a front-view photo get a contour that rocks on the finger; we flag this on the proforma.
How much gap is normal between the two rings?
Under 0.1 mm at the shoulder, measured with feeler gauges after setting. Above 0.2 mm, the band rocks on the finger and we re-cut the wax.
Can you make a notched band from a photo?
We need a side-view photo, a head-height measurement and a tracing of the engagement ring's profile. A photo alone is not enough; the notch depth depends on the basket height, which the camera angle distorts.
Does contour shaping weaken the band?
No. We hold a 1.4 mm wall minimum at the curved point. Below that, the band bends under daily wear and we step the width up by 0.5 mm to compensate.
What happens if the engagement ring is resized later?
The contour may no longer fit. We flag this on the proforma and recommend the engagement ring be resized before we cut the wedding band wax. Our resizing guide lists the lead time and the re-fit charge.
Send us the engagement ring photo, head height and finger size. We return a contour or notch recommendation on the spec sheet before wax cutting. Ask us to match your next moissanite wedding band.
Independent background on moissanite — how its hardness and refractive index compare with diamond — is documented in the Wikipedia article on moissanite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is moissanite a good diamond alternative for retail buyers?
Yes for price-sensitive customers who want brilliance and hardness. Moissanite ranks 9.25 on the Mohs scale, holds up to daily wear and costs a fraction of a natural diamond of the same size, so it resells fast in bridal and fashion lines.
What is the minimum order for wholesale moissanite?
MOQ starts at 50 pieces per design for stock items. Custom cuts and private-label settings usually start at 100–300 pieces depending on the mold.
Do you provide certificates with moissanite stones?
Yes. Every parcel ships with GRA or IGI documentation listing carat weight, color grade and cut. We recommend passing the certificate to your end customer for trust.
How long does sample and bulk production take?
Samples ship in 3–5 days. Bulk runs take 15–20 days under 500 pieces, and 25–30 days for custom work.
