A buyer in Amsterdam asked for a quote on one hundred rings in white gold. We came back with three prices: 10K, 14K and 18K, each with a different rhodium plating cycle. The gap between the cheapest and the middle quote was 22 percent of landed cost, and the gap between the middle and the premium quote was another 18 percent. Metal choice is a margin decision, not a preference.
Below are the four metals we cast custom moissanite rings in, with the fineness, plating cycle and landed-cost delta we quote to buyers.
Sterling silver: the entry tier
Sterling silver is 92.5 percent silver alloyed with copper. We cast it to ISO 9202 fineness, stamped 925. It is the cheapest metal per gram, at about 1/15 the cost of 14K gold at our current buy-in. The trade-off is wear: silver scratches and tarnishes, so we rhodium plate every silver order at 0.3 microns. Buyers selling to the $50 to $120 retail band default to silver. Our silver versus 14K guide lists the margin math we walk buyers through.
10K and 14K gold: the wholesale workhorses
Ten karat gold is 41.7 percent gold; 14K is 58.3 percent. We cast both in white, yellow and rose. Fourteen karat is our volume gold at about 60 percent of gold orders, because it holds prongs and pav channels better than 10K and costs less than 18K. Ten karat sells at the $150 to $250 retail band and is the gold entry tier. We stamp every piece to 16 CFR Part 23 fineness rules, so the stamp matches the alloy in the cast. Buyers should also read our sterling versus 10K comparison before quoting a tier.
18K and platinum 950: the premium tier
Eighteen karat gold is 75 percent gold and reads richer in yellow. It is softer, so prongs need to be 0.15 mm thicker to hold the same stone. Platinum 950 is 95 percent platinum alloyed with iridium, and it is our premium engagement ring metal. It is about 4 times the cost of 14K gold per gram, but it does not rhodium plate and it wears slower than gold. Buyers sell platinum to the $2,000-plus retail band; we quote it on request because the cast cycle runs 2 weeks longer than gold.
Rhodium plating and re-plating cycles
White gold and sterling silver are rhodium plated at 0.3 microns. The plating wears through on the top of prongs and on the inside of the band after about 12 to 18 months of daily wear. We quote a re-plating service at USD 8 per piece. Yellow gold does not need rhodium; it is polished to a high shine. Rose gold takes a 0.2 micron rhodium dip to even the tone, but we skip it on request. Buyers selling to daily-wear clients should price the re-plating into the aftercare plan.
Nickel and EU compliance
White gold alloys use nickel to whiten, but the nickel is locked in the alloy under the rhodium plate. For EU buyers, we cast a nickel-free white gold (palladium-based) on request, at about 8 percent upcharge. We spot-test every batch for nickel release before packing. Our ring design process confirms the alloy choice on the signed intake sheet before the wax is cut.
Gold color and customer allergy
Yellow gold sells to clients who want a warm tone; rose gold sells to the younger demo; white gold sells to clients who want a diamond-bright look without platinum price. Rose gold is copper-alloyed and can discolor sensitive skin on about 2 percent of wearers, so we flag the copper content on the spec. White gold on a nickel alloy is the most common sensitivity trigger; the palladium-based nickel-free white gold solves it at 8 percent upcharge. We test every white gold batch for nickel release before packing, and we quote the test result on the proforma for EU buyers.
Which metal gives the best margin?
Sterling silver at the entry tier, 14K white gold at the middle tier. Silver carries the highest markup percentage; 14K carries the highest absolute margin per piece.
Does 18K gold scratch easier?
Yes. 18K is softer than 14K, so prongs need to be 0.15 mm thicker and the band wall 0.1 mm thicker to match the same durability. We build to those thicker specs automatically on 18K orders.
Do you plate every white gold order?
Yes, at 0.3 microns as standard. Nickel-free palladium white gold orders are plated on request; the natural tone is cooler than rhodium-plated yellow.
Is platinum worth the upcharge?
For daily-wear engagement rings, yes. Platinum wears slower and does not need re-plating. For fashion and promise rings, 14K white gold is the better margin choice.
Send us the retail band and the destination market. We return an alloy recommendation, fineness stamp and plating spec on the sheet before casting. Ask us to spec the metal for your next 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.
