A buyer in Seattle sent us a bag of 40 loose moissanite stones, each pulled from a mass-produced setting that had cracked or tarnished. They wanted the stones re-set into custom heads that would retail at twice the price. That is an upgrade order: the stone is the buyer's, the head is new. We do this regularly, but only on stones that pass a structural check first.
Upgrading a purchased ring to a custom moissanite setting is a different order from a new build. Below are the stone check, head spec and pricing rules we apply.
Stone check: what we accept
We accept loose stones or stones pulled from old settings. The stone must pass four checks: (1) no chips or abrasions on the crown or pavilion; (2) girdle intact within 0.1 mm; (3) a lab report (IGI or NGTC) or a measured mm we can verify; (4) color grade we can match to a new setting. Stones without a report are accepted only if they are eye-clean and we measure the mm ourselves. We reference IGI moissanite grading as the baseline for the report check.
Chipped stones are not re-set. A chip on the crown will catch light and read as a flaw; we quote the buyer a replacement stone instead. Our QC checks guide lists the same inspection for new stones. We send a photo report within two working days of receiving the parcel, with each stone measured and graded, so the buyer knows which stones we can re-set and which need replacing before any head is quoted.
Head spec: new setting to an old stone
The custom head is built to the stone's measured girdle, not the nominal mm. A 6.5 mm stone that measures 6.42 across gets a 6.42 mm seat. We spec the head style from scratch: prong count (4 or 6), bezel or cathedral, band width. The buyer can choose a head style that is different from the original setting. This is the value of an upgrade: the stone stays, the retail look changes.
Our idea-to-render guide lists the same spec sheet for a new build; an upgrade uses the same sheet with the stone values pre-filled from the inspection.
Pricing: stone is the buyer's, head is new
We price an upgrade order as head + setting labor, not as a new ring. A 6.5 mm solitaire head in 14K comfort-fit runs about 45% of the price of a new ring, because the stone is already paid for. The buyer ships the stones to us; we inspect, quote the head, and send a render. The 18 to 22 day lead time applies from render approval. Our payment terms guide lists the same 40/50/10 split, with the deposit applied only to the head work. We ask buyers to ship stones by insured courier with a packing list; uninsured shipments are at the buyer's risk, and we photograph each stone on arrival before it leaves the receiving envelope.
What we do not upgrade
We do not upgrade: (1) plated silver heads that are tarnished beyond polishing; (2) stones with no report and visible inclusions; (3) rings that are still under another manufacturer's warranty. We also do not re-set stones into a head that changes the stone's measured girdle tolerance; if the stone is out of spec by more than 0.1 mm, we quote a new stone instead, because a loose seat is the most common cause of a stone falling out in the first six months.
Certificate and QC on an upgrade
Every upgraded piece ships with a QC photo of the stone in the new head, plus a copy of the original lab report. We do not issue a new lab report; the original report travels with the piece. We note on the QC sheet that the stone is buyer-supplied, consistent with FTC jewelry disclosure rules for material origin.
Do you accept stones without a lab report?
Only if they are eye-clean and we measure the mm ourselves. We do not re-set ungraded melee on custom orders.
What does an upgrade cost vs a new ring?
About 45% of a new ring, because the stone is buyer-supplied. The head and setting labor are the cost.
Can I change the head style when I upgrade?
Yes. The head is built from scratch to the stone's measured girdle. You can move from a prong setting to a bezel, or from a solitaire to a halo.
Do you re-set chipped stones?
No. A chip on the crown reads as a flaw in the new setting. We quote a replacement stone instead.
How long does an upgrade take?
The same 18 to 22 working days from render approval, plus the inspection time for the shipped stones.
Ship us the stones. We inspect, quote the head, and send a render within seven working days of receipt. Request your moissanite upgrade quote today.
The Gemological Institute of America’s gem encyclopedia is an authoritative, widely cited reference on moissanite and diamond quality factors.
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.
