F.A.Q

Frequently Asked Question

What Is Moissanite

Moissanite has earned a lot of attention in the recent years, but has been around for much longer than that. It was first discovered by a man named Moissan in 1893, in a meteor crater of all places! Natural occurring moissanite is extremely rare for that exact reason, it can only be found in very limited and specific locations. As such, all premium moissanites on the market are lab-created. 

Conflict-Free, Eco-friendly & Completely Sustainable You will often hear us mention that our gems are conflict-free, eco-friendly and entirely sustainable for this exact reason, it is lab-grown and created. This means the Earth and its inhabitants were not harmed or disrespected through the production of the gem, which is very important to us.

Moissanite Vs Diamond

How does it compare to a diamond? Zen Moissanites are premium moissanites made from silicon carbide - 4H crystalline polytype version, like all other premium moissanites on the market. This means that chemically, it is very different from a diamond, but resembles it so much which is why it has become such a leading option for engagement jewelry in the past few years. 

Moissanites are often compared to a diamond because diamonds have been the go-to option for engagement jewelry and any heirloom pieces due to their leading durability. This is achievable since a diamond’s hardness is a 10 on the Mohs scale (highest possible). The second gemstone on that list are moissanites, coming in at a 9.25, which means you can wear it every day for the rest of your life. In terms of reflection of light (flashes), moissanites actually beat diamonds in two ways. Through its brilliance (2.65 vs a 2.42) that can be seen as white flashes of light as well as through its fire (0.104 vs 0.044) that can be seen as rainbow flashes of light. 

One final category in which moissanites are often compared to diamonds are their price tag. Moissanite introduce a way to have the ring of your dreams, without having to break the bank! For example, for the same amount of carats, a diamond will cost you between 15 to 25 times the cost of an equivalent sized moissanite.

Zen Moissanite - What Can You Expect?

On top of everything you have read above, one last note on our gemstones. Our stones come in complete colorless (EF range) unless you want it otherwise! Our moissanites also come in a clarity rating between VVS1 and VVS2. 

Last but not least, one of our leading service is offering custom moissanites and fine jewelry. This means that if you do not see the exact size or cut of moissanite you’d be interested in, simply send us a message and we can create it for you! Don’t see your exact size listed? That’s also not an issue! Looking for a custom ring or piece of jewelry started, again, simply contact us and we’ll take it from there. 

Since all of our stones are cut to order, you can expect your order to take 3-4 weeks to get to you. For custom jewelry, we aim to have it completed within a 6-8 weeks timeframe. Timeframes may increase without notice during peak seasons or due to other circumstances.

Return / Exchange Policy

We do not accept cancellations, returns or exchanges on our pieces as they are created completely custom for each client. To avoid any confusion or miscommunication, each client received a CAD (computer design) of the ring for their review and approval before we proceed with our work (cutting the gems and casting the ring). That way, you get to see exactly what the final ring will look like. 

Loose Stones: If for any reason you are not satisfied with your moissanite, you are entitled to return or exchange your stone, no questions asked! Zen Moissanites have a 7 day return policy which means you must return it to us (in Ottawa, Canada) within 7 days of having received it yourself. Each of these transactions have a 20% restocking fee associated with them. The buyer is also responsible to return the stone to us (cover shipping cost as well as duties and taxes if applicable). For refunds, all of the parts that you received must be returned to us such as the packaging and warranty card. Exception: any custom cuts (not listed on website) are not eligible for exchange or returns. 

Pieces of Jewelry: Please note that as all Zen Moissanite jewelry pieces are made to order, and as such, we do not accept cancellations, returns or exchanges; all items are final sale. To avoid any confusion or miscommunication, each client received a CAD (computer design) of the ring for their review and approval before we proceed with our work (cutting the gems and casting the ring). That way, you get to see exactly what the final ring will look like. If the product has a defect upon shipping to the client that was missed, we will repair it or offer an exchange (our discretion). These exchanges can only be done within 7 days of receiving the piece and the piece must be returned in new condition (no damage). 

Payment Plans

Here at Zen Moissanite, you have the choice of paying for your whole order upfront, or to start a payment plan. All of our payment plan options are layaway plans. They're done in house and have no interest or time limits. They're set up through a PayPal invoice that allows partial payments (you decide how much and when to do them). 

- Once we have received 50% of the full amount, we start the work (create the CAD, cut the stones, cast the ring). 

- Once we have received 100% of the ring (and the ring is ready), we ship it out.

- As all other orders, they are non-cancellable. 

If you're ready to start a payment plan, please fill out our custom order submissions form and select "Start payment/layaway plan (via PayPal invoice)" at the bottom.

Repairs

As gold is a malleable metal, this is the reason why we can make jewelry with it, it can be bent out of shape on impact (doesn't have to be a big impact like we might think) or due to repeat movements. As such, yearly inspections and repairs is recommended. At that point, the jeweler will inspect all the prongs to make sure they are securing the stone in place. We offer repairs and maintenance on rings at a fee (at cost of labor/materials). In this case, the customer is responsible to ship the ring to us, and also cover the return shipping fee, plus any repair costs. We recommend shipping return orders via a trusted and trackable service as Zen Moissanite is not responsible for any lost, damaged, or stolen parcels. Any and all damage should be covered by an independent insurance (buyer's responsibility) and is not covered by the moissanite gemstone's warranty. Repairs take about 5-6 weeks.

Moissanite Warranty

Each purchase of a Zen Moissanite gemstone comes with peace of mind. On top of knowing that each Zen Moissanite is a conflict-free and eco-friendly gemstone, you can rest assured that you will be able to enjoy it for a lifetime. Each purchase of a Zen Moissanite gemstone comes with a Certificate of Authenticity & Limited Lifetime Warranty card. The Warranty guarantees that the moissanite stone will maintain its optical properties for as long as you own it. This includes the stone’s clarity, color, fire, luster and brilliance. Here are the terms of the warranty: 

- The warranty is non-transferable and only applies to the original purchaser. 

- The warranty covers changes to the optical properties (clarity, color, fire, luster and brilliance) of the Zen Moissanite gemstone.

- The warranty does not cover theft or loss of the stone. 

- The warranty does not cover damage or the result of abuse or misuse of your Zen Moissanite. - Upon receipt of your moissanite, you must register your warranty online by filling out all of the required fields. 

- Any alterations or treatments to the Zen Moissanite gemstone will void the warranty. 

- You must retain your original receipt. To register your warranty, please use the submissions form and provide the following information in the message:     

- Full legal name of owner of Zen Moissanite Warranty             - Place of purchase

- Email address The moissanite warranty does not cover the ring setting or piece of jewelry.  

Production Time

As we create each piece to order, please allow the following timeframes for the production. Our loose stone turnaround time is 3-4 weeks from the order date. Our jewelry turnaround time is 6-8 weeks from order date. Please note that CAD revisions are not taken into account in this production timeframe. As such, please expect an extended production timeframe if revisions are requested by the customer. Timeframes may increase without notice during peak seasons or due to other circumstances.

Resizing

In most cases, if the ring you purchased is slightly too small or large, a simple resize can be done. There are limitations to rings that require a significant increase or decrease in size, and in this scenario, remanufacturing may be necessary to maintain the structural integrity of your piece. Clients can either ship the ring back to us for the resizing or get it done locally at a jewelry shop. In the event that a simple resize is possible, resizings costs 75 CAD (approx. 60 USD) and the client is also responsible for the shipping costs (to ship here, and then the return shipping as well). We recommend shipping return orders via a trusted and trackable service as Zen Moissanite is not responsible for any lost, damaged, or stolen parcels. Resizings requiring remanufacturing entirely will be quoted by our team. Resizings take about 5 weeks.

Showroom

Can I visit your store without an appointment?

We ask that you book an appointment to visit us in-store. We have varying hours and staff availability so we want to ensure someone is available to help you. While it may be possible for us to accommodate walk-ins at times, we do prioritize our scheduled appointments. Depending on their needs, clients who walk-in may be asked to book an appointment at a later time.

Why are consults by appointment only?

We believe that your experience with us should be as unique and special as the jewelry you’re looking to create. That’s why we offer consultation appointments to provide you with a personalized and tailored experience. Our team wants to ensure that you have all of your questions answered, that we have the necessary items on hand, and that we can verify stock with our production manager ahead of you coming in. All of this takes time and attention to detail, which is why we offer consultations by appointment only. This allows us to provide you with the time, care, and guidance you deserve!

How do I book a consultation?

To get started with booking your Phone, Virtual, or In-Person Consultation, simply choose the type of appointment that best fits your needs. We offer 4 appointment types: 1) 20-minute Q&A session 2) 20-minute Shopping & Checkout Assistance 3) 20-minute Browse with a Personal Shopper session and 4) 40-minute Consultation with an Expert Designer. Then, fill in your information in the booking form and submit. Our team will promptly review your request and offer you a selection of available dates and times. Once you confirm your appointment, we’ll send you a confirmation email and add it to our calendar! Virtual consultations will be provided with a link to a video call platform. We’ll make sure to have a curated selection of jewelry for you, tailored to your specific needs. Please show (virtually or in person) a few minutes prior to the start of your appointment and your Jewelry Consultant will greet you.

Is the consultation free?

Yes, our consultations are complimentary. Although you are welcome to purchase your ZM item (either in full or start a payment plan) at the time of your appointment to lock in your quoted price, there is no commitment requirement or pressure to purchase during our consultations. We understand you may not be ready to buy or want to weigh your options before ordering!

What is a virtual appointment?

Our new Virtual Consultation service allows you the unique opportunity to virtually explore our showroom boutique from the comfort of your own home. Our dedicated Jewelry Consultants are eager to guide you through our curated collections of hand-crafted jewelry and showcase the diverse customization options available to you. With this innovative service, you can expect the full Zen Moissanite experience, delivered directly to you through a personalized video call.

What do I need to access a virtual consultation?

To access your virtual consultation, you will need access to a computer/laptop, a decently strong/fast internet connection, and an email address (preferably Gmail).

What platform do you use for virtual consultations?

We use a platform called Calendly to book appointments and Google Meet for virtual consultations.

Can I bring my partner to my consultation? 

Absolutely! Please feel comfortable to bring a partner, friend or family member to your appointment. We kindly ask that you limit your appointment to 1-2 guests for a maximum total of 3 guests at a time.

How can I cancel my consultation?

To cancel your appointment, please email us atteam@zenmoissanite.comas soon as possible, or at minimum 1 business day in advance.

How can I reschedule my consultation? 

To reschedule your consultation, please email us at team@zenmoissanite.com as soon as possible, or at minimum 1 business day in advance.

Can I change my appointment type? 

Yes! If your needs have changed since booking your appointment and you would like to change your appointment type, please email us at team@zenmoissanite.com as soon as possible, or at minimum 1 business day in advance.

Do you have a selection to shop from?

Yes, we have a small jewelry selection available in our showroom for you to browse and purchase from. We have a range of moissanite engagement rings, wedding bands, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets in solid gold and platinum. We strive to keep a variety of designs, stone shapes, stone sizes, stone cuts and metals in stock to accommodate your preferences. Although our entire selection is not always listed on our website, you may consult our in-stock selection here to get a general idea of our current available in store options.

Do you have my ring size?

We will have a small selection of rings to browse from and try on. They typically range from sizes 4.5 to 7. Although we try to carry a range of sizes, we cannot guarantee we will carry your ring size in store at the time of your visit.

Will you have the design I want to see in store for my appointment?

As each ZM piece is made to order and completely customizable, we offer endless customization and combination possibilities. Although we try to keep our showroom stocked with popular designs and it’s possible you will find exactly what you’re looking for, we cannot guarantee we will have your desired design (with your exact combination of specs) available for viewing in store at the time of your appointment. That said, we will do our best to have your preferred design, or something similar, available to you during your appointment. So while we can’t guarantee that every single detail you want will be available for viewing in-store, we’re more than happy to help you identify design features that fit your style and preferences.

Is your showroom accessible? 

Our showroom is accessible for wheelchairs and mobility aids. There is a ramped curb a few feet from our entrance. We do not have a push to open button at our entrance but one of our staff members can assist with letting you in! If you require any accommodations, please let us know while filling out your consultation request form and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Do you offer evening or weekend appointments?

We are currently open weekdays between 9 am and 5pm EST, and booking appointments weekdays between 10am and 4pm EST. We don't offer evening or weekend appointments at this time. However, we understand that many of our clients have busy schedules and may require appointments outside of these hours. We are constantly evaluating our business and are hoping to expand our hours to better serve our clients in the future.

Rest assured, if we do decide to offer evening or weekend appointments, we will make sure to communicate this with our clients through social media and our official website. In the meantime, please don't hesitate to contact us during our regular business hours to schedule an appointment or ask any questions you may have.