A buyer ordered a moissanite solitaire and asked for a 20-character date inside the band. The goldsmith engraved it, but the shank was 1.0 mm thin at the engraving spot, and within a year the band cracked at the end of the inscription. The engraving was legible; the wall was too thin to carry it. Inside-band engraving looks like a free add-on, but it has a wall-thickness rule that, if skipped, cracks the shank. Engraving inside moissanite rings works when the wall is thick enough and the font is sized to fit.
Below are the wall, font and depth numbers we measure before the graver touches the band.
The minimum wall thickness rule
We engrave only where the inside wall is at least 1.2 mm thick. Below that, the graver cuts into the structural metal and weakens the shank. On a slim 1.8 mm wedding band, that means the centre of the shank often cannot carry a long inscription; we engrave only near the shoulder where the wall thickens. The wall-depth numbers behind this rule are detailed in our engraving depth write-up. For ring-wide engraving options, see our inside band engraving options guide.
Font size and character count
We engrave inside bands in a 1.0 to 1.2 mm character height, which is the smallest size that stays legible after ten years of wear. A 20-character inscription on a size-six band fits across about 12 mm of shank. Below 1.0 mm characters wear out in two to three years. The font choices we offer, including script and block, are listed in our engraving fonts write-up. We warn buyers that long inscriptions on thin bands force tiny characters that fade.
Engraving depth and the crack risk
We cut engraving to 0.15 mm depth, not deeper. Deeper cuts look bold fresh out of the workshop but trap lotion and darken, and on a thin wall they start the crack line. The graver follows the curve of the shank, never across a solder joint. Quality checks on the finished engraving, including legibility and wall integrity, are part of our custom order quality checks guide.
Engraving after the stone is set
We engrave after the moissanite is set, not before, because setting can shift the shank. Engraving before setting risks the inscription landing off-centre. We also engrave after sizing, because stretching the shank distorts the letters. This timing is why engraving is the last step on the work order. Buyers wanting engraving on pendants or bracelets should read our engraving across jewellery types write-up, because the wall rules differ per piece.
What we decline
We decline inscriptions longer than 25 characters on a slim band, engravings on 1.0 mm walls, and handwriting scans that do not reduce to 1.0 mm characters. Buyers who push past these limits get bands that crack or fade. We also note that sterling silver engraves softer than gold, so silver inscriptions wear faster and we cut them slightly deeper to compensate.
How long can an inside inscription be?
Up to 25 characters on a standard band. Longer than that on a slim shank forces characters below 1.0 mm, which fade in a few years.
How thick must the inside wall be?
At least 1.2 mm at the engraving spot. On thin bands we engrave near the shoulder where the wall thickens.
Does engraving weaken the ring?
Not at 0.15 mm depth on a 1.2 mm wall. It weakens only when the wall is thin or the cut is deeper than 0.15 mm.
When is engraving done in production?
Last, after stone setting and sizing, so the letters land centred and are not distorted by stretching.
What to engrave and what not to
Dates, initials and short names engrave well. Long messages, phone numbers and handwriting scans that reduce below 1.0 mm characters do not. We cap inside inscriptions at 25 characters on a standard band, and on slim wedding bands we drop that to 18. We also avoid engraving across a solder joint or a gallery rail, because the graver cuts into a stressed area. If the buyer wants a longer message, we split it: a short date inside the band and the longer message on a separate charm or pendant, which we cover in our engraving across jewellery types write-up. We also note that dark enamel fill, which some buyers request for legibility, wears off inside a band in about two years; we offer it but disclose the wear.
Engraving on silver versus gold
Sterling silver engraves softer than gold, so the letter edges blur a little faster; we cut silver inscriptions 0.05 mm deeper to compensate. Gold holds the sharper edge, which is why fine script inscriptions read best on gold bands. On either metal, the 1.2 mm wall minimum and the 0.15 mm depth hold, because those are structural numbers, not metal-specific.
Send us the inscription text, band width and ring size. We return character fit, wall-thickness check and font choice on the proof sheet before the graver cuts. Ask us to engrave your next custom moissanite ring.
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.
