A buyer in Philadelphia sent back a ring last spring because the inside-band engraving was illegible. The quote had promised a script date, and the laser had etched it at 1.0 mm on a 2.5 mm band. At that size, the thin strokes of a script font vanish into the polished wall. That return is the reason we now run every engraving quote through a fixed font-and-size spec, rather than letting the client pick any font off a menu. Below is what we ship, and why.
Font families that laser cleanly
Laser engraving on gold or sterling works best when the strokes are thicker than 0.15 mm. Three families read cleanly at small sizes:
- Classic serif (e.g., a Times-like face) - most legible at 1.2 to 1.8 mm. The thick-and-thin contrast still reads at small size because the thick strokes carry the letter.
- Geometric sans-serif (e.g., Helvetica-like) - our default for modern bands. Strokes are even, the laser never has to guess at thin lines.
- Block all-caps - used for dates, initials and short messages on wide bands. Reads down to 1.0 mm.
We do not offer script at sizes below 1.8 mm; below that it loses serifs and connects into a smear. The inside-band character-count guide lists how many characters fit at each size.
Minimum character size and depth
The laser etches 0.08 to 0.12 mm deep. That is enough to be visible but shallow enough that the band can be re-polished twice without removing the text. Minimum character height we ship is:
- 2 mm band: 1.0 mm all-caps block, 18 to 22 characters maximum.
- 3 mm band: 1.2 mm sans-serif, 24 to 28 characters.
- 4 mm band: 1.5 mm sans or serif, 32 to 36 characters.
- 6 mm band (men's): 1.8 mm sans, up to 40 characters.
For labeling compliance we point buyers to the 16 CFR Part 23 jewelry marking rules; the engraving must not overlap or replace the required karat stamp or maker's mark. We leave 1.5 mm of clear wall on either side of the stamp.
What changes across 2 mm to 6 mm bands
A 2 mm band is narrow enough that a long message wraps and overlaps the inside curve. We cap 2 mm engraving at 20 characters and center it. A 4 mm band takes two lines if the buyer wants a date above a name. A 6 mm men's band can take a small logo, a date and a short phrase on two lines. Our men's ring spec covers how the wider band changes the layout.
Depth, polish and re-engraving
We hold engraving depth at 0.08 to 0.10 mm rather than etching deeper. A deeper mark looks darker at delivery but removes more wall, which matters on a 2 mm band, and it fades unevenly after the first re-polish. A shallower mark looks lighter at delivery but ages more evenly. We also engrave after final polish, not before, because polishing over an engraving rounds the letter edges and makes small text smear. If a ring is re-engraved later, we first strip the old mark with a light re-polish, then re-etch at the same depth. Buyers who order engraved pieces at MOQ 5 get one free re-engraving pass per batch if the text changes.
Non-Latin and logo engraving
We engrave Cyrillic, Greek, Hebrew, Arabic and Chinese characters at a minimum of 1.5 mm because character strokes are denser than Latin. Logos need a clean vector file; a low-res raster image blurs at 1.5 mm depth. We request an .svg or .eps from the buyer and return a proof image before the laser fires. If the logo has fine internal details thinner than 0.2 mm, we tell the buyer it will not read and propose a simplified version.
When a ring has to be resized after delivery, the engraving is affected: the post-delivery resize guide explains how the wall cut removes or relocates text.
Which font is most legible at small size?
A geometric sans-serif at 1.2 mm or larger. It reads on a 2 mm band where a script font would smear.
How many characters fit on the inside of a ring?
18 to 22 on a 2 mm band, 24 to 28 on a 3 mm band, 32 to 36 on a 4 mm band, and up to 40 on a 6 mm men's band.
Can we engrave a custom logo?
Yes, from a clean vector file (.svg or .eps). Fine details thinner than 0.2 mm will not read; we propose a simplified version and return a proof.
Does engraving affect resale or appraisal?
No. Laser engraving is shallow and does not remove metal. It is treated as a personalization, not a defect, under standard jewelry appraisal practice.
Can engraving be removed later?
Yes. A light re-polish removes 0.03 to 0.05 mm of metal, which is enough to take off a 0.1 mm engraving on a solid band. We do not recommend removal on a thin (under 1.5 mm) band.
Send us the text, the band width and the font preference. We will return a laser proof image and a quote within two working days. MOQ for engraved custom rings is 5 units. Order your custom engraved moissanite ring today.
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.
