The Moissanite Shine Difference: How We Source, Grade & Stand Behind Every Stone

There are a lot of moissanite sellers. The market has grown dramatically over the past decade, and with that growth has come a wide range of quality, transparency, and accountability. Some sellers are exceptional. Others are not. And for a buyer who is making a significant purchase — an engagement ring, a piece of jewelry intended to last a lifetime — the difference between them matters enormously.

This page exists because we believe you deserve to know exactly who you're buying from, exactly what you're buying, and exactly what happens after the purchase. Transparency is not a marketing strategy for us. It is the foundation of the relationship we want to build with every customer who chooses Moissanite Shine.

How We Source Our Moissanite

Every moissanite stone sold by Moissanite Shine is lab-grown silicon carbide (SiC), produced in controlled laboratory environments using the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) process. We source exclusively from manufacturers who meet our specifications for crystal quality, optical performance, and production consistency.

Lab-grown moissanite is not a compromise or a shortcut. It is the only way to produce moissanite at the quality and consistency required for fine jewelry — because natural moissanite (found only in meteorites and certain rare geological formations) is essentially unavailable in gem-quality quantities. Every moissanite stone in existence that is used in fine jewelry is lab-grown. The question is not whether it's lab-grown, but how well it's grown and to what standard it's graded.

Our sourcing standard is simple: we accept only stones that meet D-color, VVS1, Excellent cut specifications. Stones that don't meet this standard are not purchased, regardless of price. This is not a flexible standard — it is the floor below which we do not go.

Our Grading Standard: D-Color, VVS1, Excellent Cut

D-Color: Completely Colorless

The GRA color grading scale runs from D (completely colorless) to Z (noticeably yellow or brown). D-color is the highest grade on the scale — a stone with no detectable color under standardized grading conditions. In practical terms, a D-color moissanite appears as pure white light in any setting and any lighting condition. It does not introduce any warm or yellow tint that would affect the appearance of the stone or the setting.

We sell only D-color stones because we believe that the color grade is the most visible quality variable in a gemstone — the one that most directly affects how the stone looks in daily wear. A lower color grade introduces a tint that is visible to the naked eye in certain lighting conditions, and we are not willing to sell stones that perform below the highest standard.

VVS1: Eye-Clean Clarity

VVS1 (Very Very Slightly Included, Grade 1) is the second-highest clarity grade on the GRA scale, after Flawless and Internally Flawless. At VVS1, any inclusions present are extremely difficult to detect even under 10x magnification and completely invisible to the naked eye. In practical terms, a VVS1 moissanite is a perfectly clear stone — one that will appear flawless in any setting, in any lighting condition, at any viewing distance.

We sell only VVS1 stones because clarity affects both the beauty and the structural integrity of a gemstone. Lower clarity grades may include inclusions that are visible to the naked eye or that create structural weaknesses in the stone. We are not willing to sell stones with either of these characteristics.

Excellent Cut: Maximum Light Performance

Cut is the most important of the four Cs for brilliance — a well-cut stone will return more light to the eye than a poorly cut stone of identical color and clarity. GRA grades cut on a scale from Excellent to Poor; we sell only Excellent cut stones, which are cut to the precise proportions and angles that maximize light return, fire, and scintillation.

An Excellent cut moissanite is not just beautiful. It is performing at the maximum optical capacity of the material — returning every photon that enters the stone back to the viewer's eye as brilliance or fire. This is the standard we hold ourselves to, and it is the standard reflected in every GRA certificate we provide.

GRA Certification: Independent Verification

Every stone sold by Moissanite Shine is accompanied by a GRA (Gemological Research Association) certificate — an independent laboratory report that verifies the stone's grade and identity. The certificate is not issued by us. It is issued by an independent laboratory whose business depends on the accuracy of its grading, and whose reputation would be damaged by issuing inaccurate certificates.

The GRA certificate is your protection as a buyer. It gives you independent, verifiable confirmation that the stone you received matches the description you were given. It is the document you'll use for insurance, for appraisal, and for any future resale or upgrade. For a complete explanation of what the certificate includes and how to verify it, see our article on GRA certification explained.

Our Quality Control Process

Before any stone is set into jewelry and shipped to a customer, it goes through our quality control process:

• Grade verification: Every stone is visually inspected against its GRA certificate to confirm that the color, clarity, and cut grades match the certificate's specifications.
• Measurement verification: The stone's dimensions are measured and compared against the certificate's stated measurements to confirm identity.
• Setting inspection: After setting, every piece is inspected to confirm that the stone is secure, the prongs are properly formed, and the metal finish meets our standards.
• Final inspection: Before packaging, every piece is inspected under magnification to confirm that the stone and setting are in perfect condition.

This process is not automated. Every piece is inspected by a human being who is accountable for the quality of what leaves our facility. We believe that the care taken in this process is reflected in the quality of what you receive.

The Programs That Back Every Purchase

Lifetime Gemstone Warranty

Every moissanite stone sold by Moissanite Shine is covered by our Lifetime Gemstone Warranty — a guarantee that the stone is protected against any defects in the gemstone for the life of the piece. If a stone develops a defect that is covered by the warranty, we will replace it. No time limit. No exceptions.

This warranty reflects our confidence in the quality of what we sell. We offer it because we know that a D-color, VVS1, Excellent cut moissanite stone, properly set and cared for, will not develop defects. The warranty is our commitment to stand behind that knowledge.

Lifetime Upgrade Program

Our Lifetime Upgrade Program allows you to apply the value of your current Moissanite Shine purchase toward a larger stone, a more elaborate setting, or a solid gold or platinum upgrade at any point in the future. There is no time limit and no minimum purchase requirement.

This program exists because we understand that circumstances change. The ring that was right for your budget at the time of the proposal may not be the ring you want to wear on your tenth anniversary. The upgrade program ensures that your initial investment is never wasted — it always counts toward the next step.

Custom Design Service

Our custom design service allows you to create a piece of jewelry that is built specifically for you — your stone shape, your carat weight, your metal type, your setting style. We work with you through the design process to ensure that the final piece reflects your vision exactly. Custom pieces are available in solid 9K, 14K, and 18K gold in all tones, as well as platinum.

Why We Chose Moissanite

We didn't choose moissanite because it's a cheaper alternative to diamond. We chose it because it is, by measurable optical standards, one of the most extraordinary gemstones available for fine jewelry — and because we believe that extraordinary jewelry should be accessible to people who love it, not just to people who can afford diamond prices.

The mission of Moissanite Shine is to make genuine fine jewelry — beautiful, durable, ethically sourced, and properly certified — available to anyone who wants it. Every decision we make about sourcing, grading, certification, and customer programs reflects that mission. For more on why we chose moissanite, see our article on why we chose moissanite.

Explore our full collection of moissanite rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets — all sourced, graded, and backed to the standard described on this page.