The Complete Glossary of Moissanite Gemstone Terms (For New Buyers)

The Complete Glossary of Moissanite Gemstone Terms (For New Buyers)

Shopping for a moissanite watch should feel simple. Use this glossary to decode the words sellers use, compare builds fast, and check quality without guesswork. Definitions are short, practical, and arranged A to Z.

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A

Aftermarket set

Stones added by a third party, not the original factory. Looks can be strong, but brand warranties may not apply. Always ask for natural light photos and a stone map.

Arabic numerals

Dial markers that use 1 to 12. Easy to read at a glance, especially on darker dials.

Automatic movement

A mechanical movement powered by a rotor that winds with wrist motion. No battery. Expect a thicker case than quartz and periodic servicing.

B

Baguette cut

Rectangular step cut stones. Clean, linear flash. Often channels are set for stability on bezels and bracelets.

Bezel

The ring that surrounds the dial. Prime real estate for moissanite. An iced bezel delivers the biggest visual payoff.

Bezel set

A thin metal rim holds the stone. Secure and protective. Shows less of the stone crown than prongs.

Bracelet styles

Common patterns include presidential style, jubilee style, oyster style, and Cuban link. Pattern affects drape, weight, and how ice distributes.

Box clasp

A male tongue clicks into a box with a safety catch. Preferred for heavier iced bracelets because it locks with authority.

C

Carat vs millimeter

Moissanite is sold by millimeters more than carats. A 6.5 mm round looks like a 1 ct diamond visually. Always compare by mm to avoid confusion.

Channel setting

Stones sit in metal walls with minimal prongs. Best for baguettes. Clean look and strong lateral hold.

Chronograph

A stopwatch feature with subdials and pushers. Sport look, thicker case. Keep the dial clean if the bezel is iced for legibility.

Clarity grades

VVS, VS, SI describe internal inclusions. VVS is very clean to the eye. Cleanliness affects face-up sparkle, especially under LEDs.

Color grades

D to F are colorless, G to J near colorless. D color moissanite reads crisp white under most lighting.

Crown

Two meanings. On the watch, the winding and setting knob at 3 o’clock. On a stone, the top portion above the girdle. A tester should touch the stone crown, not the metal.

Cubic zirconia

A cheap diamond simulant. Much softer. Often fails thermal testers. Not the same as moissanite.

D

Day date

Displays day of week and date. Adds dial text, so pair with simple markers if the bezel is iced.

Diamond tester

Pens that read thermal or electrical conductivity. Thermal pens often ping moissanite as diamond class. Duo testers can separate diamond from moissanite. Request a tester video in natural light for proof.

Dial

The face of the watch. Common terms: stick markers, Roman numerals, skeleton, marble, sunburst, matte. Dial choice drives readability once stones go on the bezel.

E

Electroplating

Metal coating process for color, such as yellow or rose over steel. Quality plating resists wear and keeps tones true. Ask for studio and daylight photos.

End links

The bracelet pieces that meet the case. Solid end links improve fit and reduce rattle.

F

Fire

Rainbow flashes from high dispersion. Moissanite shows stronger fire than diamond under many lights. Bezel placement amplifies it.

Full set watch

Every visible surface is iced. Case, bezel, dial, and bracelet. Maximum shine. Heavier and more maintenance than a bezel-only build.

G

Gasket

Seals that keep moisture out. Important for chronograph pushers and screw down crowns. Water resistance can change after setting or service.

Gold tone vs solid gold

Gold tone is plated color over steel or silver. Solid gold is gold through the piece. Both can look premium if finishing is right. Price and weight differ.

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H

Hardness

Scratch resistance on the Mohs scale. Moissanite is about 9.25. Safe from keys, coins, steel, and glass. Only diamond and equal hardness abrasives can mark it.

Hand set

Stones placed by hand with prongs or beads, not glued. Look for even prongs and tidy bead rows.

I

Iced out

Dense stone coverage for high flash. The bezel is the highest impact zone. Dial icing should not overpower the hands.

Index markers

Stick markers. Clean, modern, and the easiest to read when the bezel is fully iced.

IP plating

Ion plating. A durable way to apply color tones like black, yellow, or rose.

J

Jewels

Synthetic rubies in movements that act as low friction bearings. Do not relate to moissanite stones on the exterior.

Jubilee style bracelet

Five piece link layout. Comfortable drape and a dress leaning look when iced.

L

Lug to lug

Distance from top lug tip to bottom lug tip. Controls how the watch sits on the wrist. Shorter lug to lug wears smaller.

Lume

Glow material on hands or markers. On iced dials, lume is usually minimal. Choose contrasty hands for night readability.

M

Marble dial

Stone or stone effect dial with natural pattern. Pairs well with a clean iced bezel.

Mineral crystal

Hardened glass that covers the dial. Less scratch resistant than sapphire crystal but cost effective.

Millimeter size

Real measurement you should compare across listings. Ask for mm on stones and case width.

Moissanite

Lab grown silicon carbide. High refractive index, strong fire, excellent hardness. Ethical and consistent in quality.

Movement

The engine inside. Quartz uses a battery. Automatic is self winding. Mechanical is hand wound. Quartz is thin and low maintenance. Automatic and mechanical bring wrist feel and presence.

N

Near colorless

G to J range. Slight warmth under certain lights. Some buyers prefer the look with yellow or rose tones.

Numeral styles

Arabic or Roman. Roman dials feel classic, Arabic feel sport. Stick markers are the simplest to read under heavy ice.

P

Pavé setting

Multiple small stones set closely with shared beads. Creates a continuous field of sparkle on bezels and links.

Polish and finishing

Surface treatment on metal. High polish reads the mirror bright. Brushed finishing reduces glare. Mixed finishes can frame stones nicely.

Pushers

Buttons that control a chronograph. Keep them sealed and do not operate in water unless the watch is rated for it.

Q

Quartz movement

Battery powered. Accurate and thin. Easy daily wear. Replace batteries on schedule to avoid leaks.

R

Refractive index

How strongly a material bends light. Moissanite is higher than diamond, which is why fire looks intense under LEDs.

Rhodium

A bright white plating used over silver or white gold. Adds shine and resistance to tarnish.

Roman numerals

I to XII markers. Pair well with two tone cases and classic bezels.

S

Sapphire crystal

Very scratch resistant clear cover over the dial. Premium feel and long term clarity.

Screw down crown

Crown that threads into the case for better water resistance. Check threads after any service.

Setting styles

Prong, channel, pavé, and bezel are the main ones. Prong shows more stone. The channel is sleek for baguettes. Pavé is continuous sparkle. Bezel is protective.

Silicone strap

Comfortable and light. Good with chronographs for sport styling. Reduces overall weight compared to a full iced bracelet.

Skeleton dial

Open dial that shows movement parts. Keep bezels clean or lightly iced so the face does not look crowded.

T

Table

The flat top facet of a stone. Proportion affects face-up size and light return.

Two tone

Two metal colors on the same watch, commonly yellow and white or rose and white. Solves mixed metal outfits and frames moissanite well.

U

Under gallery

The inside finishing of links or cases. Smooth under galleries feel better on skin and collect less residue.

V

VVS clarity

Very, very slightly included. In practice, clean to the naked eye. Standard for high grade moissanite builds.

VS clarity

Very slightly included. Still clean face-up on small stones. Acceptable on bracelets and bezels when matched well.

W

Water resistance

Usually shown as ATM. 3 ATM handles splashes, 5 ATM handles showering, 10 ATM handles swimming. Ice and pushers do not change ratings, but seals must be maintained.

Warranty

Coverage for movement and setting. Read the term length and what is excluded, such as damage from impacts or unauthorized service.

Z

Zirconia

Short for cubic zirconia. Different material from zircon, and not moissanite. Sellers sometimes say simulated diamonds for CZ. Ask directly for moissanite or silicon carbide in writing.

How to Use This Glossary in 30 Seconds?

Match what you want to how you live. If daily readability matters, choose a stick or Roman dial with an iced bezel and clean bracelet. If sport styling is your lane, pick a chronograph with a simple dial and moissanite on the bezel or center links. 

Always request case size in millimeters, natural light photos, a short tester video if promised, and clear warranty terms. Then size the bracelet before shipping so the watch sits flat on day one.

The Final Words

Clear terms lead to clear choices. With these definitions in hand, comparing moissanite watches is straightforward. Pick the dial you enjoy, place the sparkle where it adds clarity, confirm the build, and enjoy the shine.

Keval Patel

Written By

Keval Patel

HR Manager

Keval Patel is the HR Manager at Glazed Diamonds, where he oversees human resources operations and workforce management in the diamond industry. His expertise includes talent acquisition for specialized diamond roles, employee development programs, and implementing HR policies tailored to diamond manufacturing and trading environments. Patel specializes in building skilled teams for diamond operations, from artisan craftsmen to technical specialists and sales professionals.

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