A jeweller in Warsaw sent back twenty-five rings after laser engraving because the text sat on the inside wall and broke through to the hollow underside. The engraving depth was 0.15 mm; the wall was 0.12 mm. The engraving machine did its job. The wall was too thin to take the text. Engraving is a wall-thickness conversation, not a font choice.
Below are the engraving spots we build on custom moissanite jewelry, with the wall minimums and character counts we hold on the spec sheet.
Inside band engraving: wall minimums
Inside band engraving runs 0.10 to 0.12 mm deep. We hold a 1.4 mm wall minimum on the inside of the band, and 1.6 mm on a 2 mm wide band, so the laser does not break through. On a 2 mm band we fit about 25 characters in 1.2 mm font; on a 4 mm band we fit about 40. Below 1.4 mm wall, we decline engraving and flag it on the order sheet. Our inside band options guide lists the character counts per width we use.
Outside engraving and script styles
Outside engraving sits on the flat of the band and reads from the top. We use it for names, dates and small motifs. Script fonts (cursive) need a 1.5 mm character height to stay readable; block fonts read down to 1.0 mm. We laser outside engraving at 0.08 mm depth so the finish stays smooth. Hand engraving (graver) runs deeper at 0.15 mm and sells as a premium at about USD 60 per piece.
Pendant and disc engraving
Pendants and discs take engraving on the back. We hold a 0.8 mm wall on pendant backs, because the back is thinner than a band. A 15 mm disc fits about 30 characters in 1.0 mm font; a 20 mm disc fits about 45. We engrave after stone setting, never before, because setting can shift the piece and misalign the text. Our pendant design guide covers the back wall we cast.
Bracelet and bangle engraving
Bangles take engraving on the outer flat. We hold a 1.2 mm wall at the engraving spot. Tennis bracelets do not take engraving, because the links move and the laser would cut the connector. Engraving on a bracelet clasp is possible at 0.5 mm character height, but it reads as a hallmark rather than a message. We recommend engraving a separate charm instead.
Laser versus hand gravers
Laser engraving is the default. It is fast (about 90 seconds per piece), repeatable across a batch of 50, and readable at 1.0 mm character height. Hand engraving is a single artisan pass, about 15 minutes per piece, and it sells as a premium service. We reference IGI jewelry documentation standards when describing engraving depth to buyers; moissanite is not IGI-graded, but the marking vocabulary transfers. Buyers should also read our engraving fonts guide and our engraving depth notes before quoting a text line.
Font selection and character limits
We stock six fonts for laser engraving: Arial, Times, Garamond, Helvetica, Script and Monogram. Block fonts (Arial, Helvetica) read best at small sizes; Script needs 1.5 mm letter height and is reserved for outside engraving on wide bands. Monogram engraving fits three initials on a 10 mm round disc. We do not engrave logos or copyrighted artwork, because the laser repeats the same graphic on every piece and we cannot clear the rights. Buyers should send the text line as a plain text file, not as an image, because tracing an image adds about 10 minutes per piece.
After engraved jewelry
Engraved surfaces collect lotion and soap residue in the cut lines. We recommend a monthly wipe with a dry cloth and a quarterly ultrasonic clean. The laser cut does not tarnish faster than the polished wall around it, but the residue makes the text look cloudy. We include a care card with every engraved order that lists the clean cycle. Buyers selling to daily-wear clients should price the ultrasonic clean into the aftercare plan.
How many characters fit inside a 2 mm band?
About 25 characters in 1.2 mm block font, on a 1.6 mm wall. Script font fits fewer because the letter height has to step up to 1.5 mm.
Does engraving affect resizing?
Yes. Resizing cuts the band at the back and re-solders, which destroys the inside engraving. We recommend resizing before engraving, and we flag this on the order sheet.
Can you engrave over a rhodium finish?
Yes. The laser cuts through the rhodium into the metal. We re-plate after engraving on white gold and silver orders, at no extra charge.
What font depth is readable?
0.10 mm laser depth at 1.0 mm character height. Below 0.08 mm, the text blurs under a loupe and clients cannot read their own names.
Send us the text line, the jewelry type and the wall width. We return a character count, font size and depth spec on the sheet before engraving. Ask us to spec engraving on your next moissanite order.
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.
