A moissanite listing is worth trusting when it names the metal and the plating, states the carat weight per stone or per pair, gives the stone size in millimetres, explains what the certificate is, shows a real return policy, and names the company behind it. A listing that leaves any of these vague is asking you to guess. This guide shows how to check each one in about ten minutes.
Start with the stone: what is true of all moissanite
Moissanite is a hard, durable gem, and these numbers are the same whichever seller you buy from. Mohs hardness is 9.25 (diamond is 10). Refractive index is 2.65 (diamond is 2.42). Stones sold today are lab grown, not mined. A percentage brightness claim is a sign the writer is selling rather than informing.
The US Federal Trade Commission's guidance for jewellery sellers expects a lab-created stone to be described as lab created, and moissanite is a lab-created gem. Look for the words "lab grown" or "lab created" on the page. A listing that never says it is worth a question.
The seven checks
| Check | A trustworthy listing says | A weak listing says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Metal | "925 sterling silver with platinum plating" or "14k solid gold" | "Gold" or "platinum" with no qualifier |
| 2. Carat weight | Per stone or per pair, written out | "1 carat" with no note on whether that is one earring or two |
| 3. Size | Stone diameter in mm (Mariqe lists 6.5 mm for a 1 carat round) | Carats only |
| 4. Certificate | Names the issuer and what it records | "Certified" with no issuer |
| 5. Returns | Days, who pays, any exclusions | "Easy returns" |
| 6. Warranty | What it covers and does not cover | "Lifetime guarantee" with no terms |
| 7. Seller | Company name, contact email, a way to reach a person | A brand name and a contact form only |
Check the metal and the plating
Most affordable moissanite jewellery is 925 sterling silver with a thin plating of platinum, rhodium or gold. That is a normal, industry-wide choice and nothing to worry about, as long as the listing says so. The red flag is a listing that calls a piece "gold" or "platinum" without saying plated. Plating wears gradually with daily use and exposure to water and perfume, like any plated jewellery, and the stone itself is unaffected. Our guide to sterling silver with plating versus solid gold sets out what you are buying and what it costs over the years.
Check the carat weight and the size
This is where clear listings and confusing ones diverge most. Earrings are the usual trap. Some sellers list a "1 carat" pair as 1 carat in total (0.5 carat each). Others list 1 carat in each earring. Both are legitimate. They are not the same product, and the second uses twice the stone.
Mariqe lists stud weights per stone. The Eterna Stud Earrings variants are titled "0.5 carat x 2", "1 carat x 2" and so on, so a "1 carat x 2" pair carries 1 carat in each earring. The listing gives stone sizes as 6.5 mm for 1 carat, 8 mm for 2 carat and 9.1 mm for 3 carat. Whichever seller you use, find the millimetre size. It tells you what you will see on your ear or finger, and it lets you compare two listings fairly.
Check what the certificate is
Most moissanite is sold with a certificate from a laboratory. The question is what it records. A GRA moissanite report, which comes in the box with Mariqe jewellery, records the stone's specifications and carries a unique certification code. It is not the same as a GIA or IGI diamond report, and it is not an independent valuation. We cover this in full in what a GRA certificate is and what it is worth. The test for any seller is simple: does the listing say who issued the certificate and what it covers? If it only says "certified", ask.
Check the returns and the warranty
Read the actual policy page, not the badge on the product page. Look for the number of days, who pays for the return, and exclusions. Mariqe allows 30 days from delivery. A flat $19 covers return and restocking for sizing or change of mind, and faulty items are returned free. Pierced earrings cannot be returned for hygiene reasons unless defective, which is common practice for earrings. A seller who says so up front is being straight with you.
Warranties deserve the same scrutiny. Mariqe's Lifetime Moissanite Warranty covers the stone. It does not cover the metal, accidents, normal wear, neglect or lost stones. A warranty that lists its exclusions is more believable than one that lists none.
Check who is selling
Look for a company name, a working email address and a way to reach a person. Mariqe is run by an Australian company, ECOM CULTURE PTY LTD. The stones are cut and the pieces assembled overseas. You can reach the shop at service@mariqe.com. A very low price combined with no company name at all is the pattern to avoid.
One more check: the diamond tester
Some sellers offer a diamond tester result as proof of quality. The FTC's consumer guidance notes that thermal testers may not reliably identify moissanite, so it can read as a diamond. Mariqe moissanite passes the diamond test. That separates moissanite from cubic zirconia. It does not tell you the stone's colour or clarity grade, so use it as one fact among several. More in our diamond tester guide.
A worked example
The Eterna Ring is a six-prong solitaire. Its listing gives a 1 carat round stone of 6.5 mm, listed as colour D and clarity VVS1, in platinum plated or 18k gold plated 925 sterling silver. The box contains a GRA certificate and warranty card. The silver 1 carat ring is $79, checked 25 October 2026. Mariqe runs sales, so the price on the product page is final.
The listing covers the metal, size, certificate and warranty checks. Two limits apply and neither is hidden. The ring is plated silver, not solid gold, and a solid gold ring from another seller is a different product at a much higher price. And the GRA report is a record from its issuer, not a GIA report. That is what a listing you can trust looks like: it tells you what to question.
What this means for you
You do not need to be an expert to buy moissanite well. Read the metal line, find the millimetre size, check whether carats are per stone or per pair, and read the return policy once. If a seller answers all of those clearly, you can compare price with confidence.
Eterna Ring
A six-prong round moissanite solitaire in platinum plated 925 sterling silver, from $79 (checked 25 October 2026), backed by the Lifetime Moissanite Warranty.
See sizes and pricesFrequently asked questions
How can I tell if a moissanite seller is legitimate?
Look for a named company, a working email address, a written return policy with days and costs, and a warranty that lists what it excludes. Be cautious where the metal is described only as "gold" or "platinum", or where the certificate has no named issuer.
Does a certificate mean a moissanite is high quality?
Not by itself. A certificate records a stone's details as stated by the issuing laboratory. Check who issued it and what it covers. A GRA report is not a GIA or IGI report and is not an independent valuation.
Why do two "1 carat" moissanite earring listings cost so different?
One may list 1 carat in total and the other 1 carat in each earring. Check whether the weight is per stone or per pair, and compare the stone diameter in millimetres.
Is plated sterling silver a red flag in a moissanite listing?
No. It is a common metal for moissanite jewellery. The red flag is a listing that does not say the piece is plated. Plating wears gradually with daily use, as it does on any plated jewellery.
Will a moissanite pass a diamond tester?
Mariqe moissanite passes the diamond test, and the FTC notes that thermal testers may read moissanite as a diamond. That separates moissanite from cubic zirconia but does not show the stone's grade.