FAQs

Moissanite is a gemstone made of silicon carbide. It was first discovered in 1893 in a meteorite crater, which is why people sometimes call it "the stone from the stars." Today, almost all moissanite used in jewelry is grown in a lab, where the same crystal structure can be created with consistent quality and without mining. It's not glass, not cubic zirconia, not a synthetic diamond. It's its own gemstone, and it's one of the most brilliant materials you can wear.

A lab grown diamond is a real diamond: pure carbon in the same crystal structure as a mined diamond, grown above ground under controlled heat and pressure instead of deep in the earth. It has the same hardness, 10 on the Mohs scale, and the same white sparkle. Our lab grown diamonds are graded for color, clarity and carat on the same scales used for mined diamonds.

Yes. A lab grown diamond is pure carbon in the same crystal structure as a mined diamond, so it has the same hardness (10) and the same sparkle. The only difference is where it formed. The Federal Trade Commission defines a diamond by what it is, not where it came from.

No. Moissanite is silicon carbide and a diamond is pure carbon, so they are different stones. We sell both: D colorless moissanite and certified lab grown diamonds. Every product title and certificate says exactly which stone you are buying.

Both are hard enough for everyday wear and both come with an Estara certificate, and every lab grown diamond piece is also IGI certified. At Estara, a 1 ct stone in 14K gold costs about the same either way, so choose on look and preference. A lab grown diamond is a diamond: pure carbon, Mohs 10, with bright white sparkle. Moissanite is its own gemstone: Mohs 9.25, with more colorful fire.

Not sure? Email care@houseofestara.com with a photo of a look you like and we'll show you both.

At a glance they look alike. The difference shows in the light. A diamond, lab grown or mined, returns bright white sparkle with crisp flashes. Moissanite has a higher refractive index and more dispersion, so it throws more colorful flashes, often called fire, especially in sunlight. Our moissanite is D colorless, so the stone itself looks icy white. Neither look is better. It comes down to which kind of sparkle you prefer.

Every lab grown diamond piece is IGI certified and comes with a numbered Estara certificate that records the stone, carat weight and metal. Main diamonds of 0.5 ct or more each get their own IGI report. Pieces with smaller diamonds, such as tennis bracelets and smaller studs, get an IGI jewelry report for the finished piece that records the total carat weight, color and clarity. You can look up any IGI report on igi.org. Moissanite comes with the Estara certificate. The product page shows which IGI report comes with the size you pick.

Every product title and product page names the stone, moissanite or lab grown diamond, along with its grade, carat weight and metal. The Estara certificate in your box records the same details, and every lab grown diamond piece is also IGI certified. If anything is unclear before you order, email care@houseofestara.com and we reply within one business day.

Not at the quality level we sell. Cheap moissanite, the kind sold for $30 on overseas marketplaces, can have visible color tints or cloudy spots, and it sits badly in low-grade metal. Our moissanite is graded D color (completely colorless) and VVS clarity, set by hand in solid gold, sterling silver or platinum. The result looks every bit like fine jewelry, because that's what it is.

Yes. Moissanite is a naturally occurring mineral that we now grow in labs at scale and quality. The stone in your House of Estara piece is structurally and chemically identical to natural moissanite. Lab-grown doesn't mean fake, it means we control the conditions to produce a stone with consistent color, clarity, and brilliance. The same way lab-grown emeralds and sapphires are real emeralds and sapphires.

Moissanite jewelry holds value for reasons different from natural diamond. The metal (gold or platinum) holds intrinsic value based on weight and purity, and the craft of a hand-set, hand-finished piece holds value as an object. The stone itself is unlikely to appreciate the way a rare natural diamond might, but it's also unlikely to lose value the way mass-produced costume jewelry does. We see Estara pieces as designed to be worn and loved for decades, not as investments, but they hold their character and quality over time.

Our lab grown engagement rings are E to G color and VVS to VS clarity, which looks colorless and clean to the eye. Each product page lists the grade for that piece.

Solid gold (10K or 14K) is gold all the way through and won't wear away. Gold vermeil is 925 sterling silver with a thick layer of gold on top: the look of gold for less, though the layer can wear down after years of daily wear. 925 sterling silver is bright and strong, and a quick polish keeps it shiny. Every metal holds the same diamonds.

Yes. It is a diamond, so a standard diamond tester reads it as one. The IGI report states the lab grown origin plainly.

Yes: 14-day returns, one free resize within 60 days on rings, and the same limited lifetime warranty.

Every listing states the exact stone, grade, carat and metal, and the certificate in your box records them. Moissanite is always D colorless, VVS. Every lab grown diamond piece is IGI certified. Every stone is set by hand in solid gold, sterling silver or platinum, and gold vermeil, offered on some lab grown earrings and bracelets, is always labeled as vermeil.

Yes. Moissanite is hand-selected to D color and VVS clarity. Lab grown diamonds are graded on the same color and clarity scales as mined diamonds, and each product page shows the grade. Every piece comes with a certificate that records the grade, carat and metal.

Solid 10K, 14K and 18K gold (white, yellow or rose), 925 sterling silver and platinum 950. Gold and platinum pieces are stamped for purity. Solid gold, platinum and sterling silver pieces are never plated. Some lab grown earrings and tennis bracelets also come in gold vermeil, which is gold plated over 925 sterling silver and always named in the Material option.

Sensitivity varies a lot from person to person, and no jewelry can be guaranteed safe for everyone. That said, platinum 950 is generally the safest choice for sensitive skin because it's a high-purity, naturally non-reactive metal. Our 14K and 18K gold pieces also tend to work well for most people because of their high gold content, which means minimal contact with the alloys some people react to. If you've reacted to fine jewelry before, reach out before ordering and we'll help you pick the right metal for your skin.

Email us at care@houseofestara.com before placing your order. Tell us what metals have caused reactions for you in the past, and we'll help you pick a piece and metal that's most likely to work for your skin. For severe sensitivities, platinum 950 is usually the safest answer because of how stable and pure it is.

Stop wearing the piece and email us at care@houseofestara.com within 14 days of delivery. We'll work with you to find a solution, whether that's a return, an exchange to a different metal, or another option that works for you. We want every piece to feel right, and that includes how it feels on your skin.

Every piece ships with a numbered Estara certificate that records the stone, carat weight and metal. Every lab grown diamond piece is also IGI certified, with an IGI report you can look up on igi.org. Keep both with your piece. They're your record if you ever want to verify, insure or have the piece appraised.

Solid gold and platinum don't tarnish. Sterling silver can darken slowly with air and skin oils, and a silver polishing cloth brings it back. Solid gold, platinum and sterling silver pieces are never plated, so there is no plating to fade. Gold vermeil is gold plated over sterling silver, and the gold layer can gradually wear through after years of daily wear. The Material option on every product page names the exact metal, so you always know what you're getting.

All sizes on our site are US standard. If you don't know your size, the most reliable method is to visit a local jeweler and ask them to size you (most do this for free). Or measure a ring you already wear comfortably and compare it to a sizing chart. Our size guide includes US, UK and EU conversions. If you're between sizes, size up rather than down: a ring can be brought in later, but one that's too small can't be worn.

We resize once for free within one size, within 60 days of delivery, and cover shipping both ways. Full eternity bands have stones all the way around, so they can't be resized; we remake those in your size once, free, within the same 60 days instead. A bigger change is a remake, and we'll quote it. Email care@houseofestara.com to start a resize.

Yes. Every ring comes in US sizes 4 to 9, including half sizes. Select your size on the product page. If you need a quarter or a non-standard size, email us before ordering and we'll let you know what's possible.

A few options. The easiest: borrow a ring they already wear (preferably from the right hand, or a ring they wear on the same finger you're targeting), trace the inside circle on paper, and either measure the diameter or send us the tracing. We can work backward from that. Alternatively, ask their friend or sibling, they probably know.

Lab grown diamonds and moissanite are among the hardest gemstones in the world, so they hold up to daily life. Still, treat your piece like the fine jewelry it is. Avoid harsh chemicals, perfume, lotion and chlorine, wipe it with a soft polishing cloth after wearing, and store it in its box so it doesn't scratch other jewelry. Gold vermeil needs a little extra care: keep it away from abrasive cleaners.

We don't recommend it. Chlorinated water can dull metal over time, and shampoos and soaps can leave residue that builds up around stones. The piece won't be damaged by occasional exposure, but for daily showering or pool use, take it off. It only takes a moment, and it adds years to the piece.

Yes, that's what they're made for. Lab grown diamonds score 10 on the Mohs hardness scale and moissanite 9.25, so both handle everyday wear. Solid gold and platinum settings are tough enough for daily life. Just take it off for activities like rock climbing, gardening, or anything with heavy impact.

Warm water, a drop of mild dish soap, and a soft toothbrush. Dip the piece, gently brush around the stone and setting, rinse, and pat dry. Do this once a month or whenever the stone looks less brilliant. Avoid commercial jewelry cleaners with ammonia or harsh chemicals, they're harder on the metal than they need to be.

If it's a manufacturing defect, such as a faulty setting or a weak prong, it's covered by our limited lifetime warranty. Email us at care@houseofestara.com with photos and we'll repair or replace the piece. If the stone came loose from impact damage, for example after knocking it on something hard, we can usually still help, and repairs are billed at cost.

Pick the piece you want, choose your stone, metal and size, and add to cart. Check out as a guest or log into your account. We accept all major credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Shop Pay. You'll get an order confirmation email within minutes.

You'll receive a confirmation email immediately after checkout with your order number and a summary of what you bought. If you don't see it within an hour, check your spam folder. If it's not there either, email us at care@houseofestara.com with your name and we'll find your order.

If you contact us before the piece ships (usually within 2 business days of ordering), yes. Email care@houseofestara.com as soon as possible. Once a piece has shipped, changes get harder, but we'll do what we can.

If the order hasn't shipped yet, yes, email us as soon as possible. Once it's in transit, address changes are limited to what the courier allows, but we'll do our best to help.

All major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Shop Pay. Everything is processed through Shopify's secure checkout.

Yes. With Shop Pay Installments you can pay in 4 interest-free payments, or 6 monthly payments at 0% APR, on eligible orders. Longer plans of up to 24 months are also offered. You see your options at checkout, subject to approval.

Yes. All prices are displayed in US Dollars. International customers can see approximate local currency through the converter on our site, but the final transaction is processed in USD.

Every US and Canadian order ships free and fully insured, with tracking from dispatch to your door. For any other country, please email care@houseofestara.com before you order. Tell us where the piece is going and we'll confirm whether we can deliver there, what shipping costs and how long it takes, so there are no surprises. We reply within one business day.

Within 2 business days of your order (Monday to Friday, excluding holidays). Engraved and custom pieces take longer, and we confirm the date with you. You'll get a tracking link by email the moment your piece ships.

Orders dispatch within 2 business days. Delivery then takes 6 to 10 business days after dispatch, and every US and Canadian order ships free and fully insured. You'll get a tracking link by email as soon as your piece is on its way, so you can follow it to your door. Made-to-order custom pieces follow their own timeline, which we confirm with you when you approve the design.

Yes. Every US and Canadian order ships free and fully insured, with tracking from dispatch to delivery. There's no minimum order. Orders dispatch within 2 business days and arrive 6 to 10 business days after dispatch. For any other country, email care@houseofestara.com before you order and we'll confirm whether we can deliver there and what it costs.

Yes. Every order is tracked end to end, and US and Canadian orders are fully insured in transit at no cost to you. If a package is lost or significantly delayed, we'll reship it at no cost or refund you in full, your choice. Just email care@houseofestara.com with your order number and we'll take it from there.

For most orders, no signature is required. The package is delivered to your address by your local courier with tracking. If you'd prefer a signature requirement for security, email us before your order ships and we can arrange it.

You can return any non-personalized piece within 14 days of delivery. It needs to come back unworn, in its original packaging, with its certificate. Return shipping is free on US and Canadian orders: we send a prepaid label. Full details in our Returns and Warranty Policy.

We issue your refund within 5 business days of receiving and inspecting your return. Your bank may take a few more days to post it.

Yes, same 14-day window, same condition requirements. Email care@houseofestara.com to start an exchange.

Manufacturing defects, for the life of your piece and for the original purchaser: stones that loosen from a setting or prong failure, structural defects, and clasps that fail in normal use. We repair or replace the piece free and cover shipping both ways. Not covered: impact or accidental damage, loss or theft, discoloration from chemicals, normal surface wear, or work by another jeweler. Full details in our Returns & Warranty Policy.

That's our mistake to fix. Email care@houseofestara.com within 14 days of delivery with a photo, and we'll send a replacement at no cost. We cover shipping in both directions.

Personalized pieces (engraved, custom designs) are non-returnable because they're made specifically for you. The exception: if we made an error in fulfilling the personalization, we replace it free.

Yes. Many of our designs can be customized: different stone sizes, metals and setting styles. Email care@houseofestara.com with what you have in mind and we'll tell you what's possible. For a one-of-a-kind ring, see our custom engagement ring page.

Yes, we offer engraving on most rings. Letters, numbers and select symbols are supported. Engraving is done exactly as you submit it, so double-check spelling, capitalization and spacing before you order.

Engraving and simple changes typically add 3 to 4 business days. Fully custom pieces take longer, and we'll quote a specific timeline when we discuss your project.

Custom and personalized pieces are non-returnable, since they're made specifically for you. We'll work with you on the design before production to make sure you're confident in what you're getting.