A wholesale buyer in Dallas told us they had burned through three CAD rounds on the same engagement ring concept: the sketch showed a slim cathedral solitaire, the first render came back 2.4 mm wide at the shoulder, the second render dropped the stone too low, and by round three the client had cancelled. The idea was never wrong. The handoff from buyer brief to CAD brief was missing about nine measurements. That is the gap we close between the first email and the first render we send for approval.
A custom moissanite engagement ring is not quoted off a photo. It moves through four defined stages: intake brief, CAD model, render review, and production release. Below are the measurements and sign-offs we treat as mandatory before any render leaves our studio, so the buyer does not pay for render rounds that should have been free.
The intake brief: nine numbers before we open CAD
Most briefs arrive as a Pinterest screenshot. We convert that screenshot into a written spec sheet that the buyer signs off on. The nine fields are: center stone carat and shape, band base width in mm, band shank thickness in mm, shoulder height above the finger, prong count and prong wire gauge, setting height off the finger, metal alloy and karat, ring size, and a target finish (high polish, matte, or hammered). A 6.5 mm round moissanite in a 1.8 mm shank reads very differently from the same stone in a 2.5 mm shank, and the photo does not tell the buyer which one they are quoting.
We reference GIA's 4Cs only as a vocabulary for cut, color and clarity conversation; moissanite is graded on its own refractive index (2.65) and is not a GIA-graded diamond. Our ring design process overview lists the same spec sheet for first-time buyers.
CAD model: what the render actually shows
The render the buyer sees is a photographic 3D output, not the CAD model itself. The CAD model carries the engineering: prong wall thickness (we hold 0.35 mm minimum on a 6.5 mm stone), seat depth, and the internal fit for the stone girdle. We model in millimetres to three decimal places and then export two camera angles for the render: a straight-on face-up view and a 45-degree profile. Buyers who only approve the face-up view routinely miss a low head or a thick shoulder.
Our sketch-to-CAD write-up explains how we translate a hand sketch into the same engineering model. The render stage is where the buyer checks proportions, not where they change the design.
Render review: two free rounds, then a change fee
We include two render revisions in the deposit. Changing prong count, stone size or metal after render two is a paid CAD revision (currently USD 35 per round) because it reopens the engineering model. Buyers who want a third angle (a finger-worn simulation) add that on the second revision, not the first. This is the point where the Dallas buyer above lost the order: they requested a new shoulder angle on round four, by which time the CAD file had already been reset twice.
Production release and lead time
Once the buyer approves the render in writing, the file moves to casting. Standard lead time from approved render to shipped sample is 18 to 22 working days for a single ring. Rush is available through our rush order process at a 25% surcharge. The approved render is locked; any change after that reopens the CAD stage and restarts the clock from day one, which is why we flag the locked-file clause on every proforma.
How many render rounds are included in the deposit?
Two. A third round and any structural change (prong count, stone size, head height) is a paid CAD revision of USD 35.
Can the buyer supply their own moissanite stone?
Yes. We spec the seat to the buyer's measured girdle. Stones we set on consignment must arrive with an IGI or NGTC lab report; we do not set uncertified melee on custom orders.
What metal alloys do you build in?
925 sterling, 10K, 14K and 18K in white, yellow and rose. White gold is rhodium-finished; we note this on the spec sheet so the buyer knows it is a plating step, consistent with standard sterling and gold-alloy practice.
How long does the first render take after the brief?
Five to seven working days from a signed spec sheet. The brief is the bottleneck, not the modelling.
Do you ship the CAD file with the finished ring?
No. The CAD file is our manufacturing property; the buyer receives the approved render, the lab report and the QC photos.
Send us the reference photo, the nine spec values and your target margin. We return a signed spec sheet and the first render within seven working days. Request your custom moissanite engagement ring render 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.
