What a 1 carat moissanite ring costs in South Africa
A 1 carat moissanite engagement ring at Moissanite Engagement Rings South Africa starts at R13,995. That price is for a 1 carat diamond equivalent round solitaire set in 9ct gold. The stone itself sits at roughly 6.5mm across, which is the standard face-up size buyers picture when they say one carat. The final figure moves with the metal you choose, the setting style, and whether you add side stones, so treat R13,995 as the honest floor rather than a fixed number.
Moissanite is sold differently to diamond. It is graded by weight in the trade, but you buy it by millimetre size and diamond equivalent weight, written as DEW. A 1ct DEW moissanite measures about 6.5mm round. So when you ask for a one carat look, you are asking for a 6.5mm stone, and the price follows the mm size and the quality grade, not a per carat rough market.
Why "1 carat" alone does not fix the price
Carat is only the starting point. Two rings can both hold a 1ct DEW moissanite and still differ by thousands of rand. The metal is the biggest lever. A 9ct gold band uses less pure gold than 18ct, so it costs less. Platinum sits higher again because it is denser and harder to work. We set in 9ct and 18ct gold across yellow, white, and rose, and in platinum. We do not use 14ct gold.
The setting matters too. A plain solitaire holds one stone on a simple band. A halo adds a ring of smaller moissanite around the centre, which lifts both the sparkle and the price. A pavé band scatters small stones along the shank. Each addition adds material and bench time. If you want to keep close to R13,995, a solitaire setting in 9ct gold is the way to do it.
The 4Cs of moissanite, and where value moves
Moissanite is graded on colour, clarity, and cut, with size standing in for carat. Colour runs from colourless to near colourless. A colourless stone, graded D to F on the GRA scale, shows no tint and carries the top price. Near colourless stones cost a little less and still look bright to the eye. Clarity is rarely a problem because quality moissanite is grown clean, so most stones you see are eye clean regardless.
Cut is where the money earns its keep. Moissanite has a refractive index near 2.65, higher than diamond, so it throws more fire, meaning more coloured flashes. A well cut stone uses that property. A poorly cut one looks glassy or dark in the centre. We cut and set for brilliance, so the sparkle you pay for is the sparkle you get. If you want the full comparison, read moissanite carat versus diamond carat.
Moissanite against lab diamond, and what we sell
We build custom moissanite and lab-grown diamond engagement rings. A 1 carat moissanite solitaire starts at R13,995. The same shape in a lab-grown diamond starts at R24,995 because lab diamond costs more to produce. Both are set in the same metals, both are made in our South African workshop, and both look sharp on the hand. Moissanite gives you the largest, brightest stone for the money. Lab diamond gives you actual diamond at a fraction of a mined price. If you are weighing the two, our page on moissanite versus diamond lays out the differences plainly, and you can browse the full moissanite engagement rings range to see what R13,995 and up buys.
What moves the price of a 1 carat moissanite ring
Metal choice is first. Moving from 9ct to 18ct gold or to platinum raises the figure. Stone size is second. A 6.5mm stone is one carat equivalent, but many buyers size up to 7mm or 7.5mm for more presence, and the price climbs with the millimetres. Setting complexity is third. Halos, hidden halos, and pavé all add stones and labour. Colour grade is fourth. A colourless D to F stone costs more than near colourless. Add these together and you can see why one honest starting price cannot cover every ring.
How to get your exact 1 carat figure
Tell us the stone size in millimetres, the metal, and the setting style you want. Send it through the quote page or message us on WhatsApp at +27 69 288 1535. We reply with a firm rand price, no showroom visit needed, because we work remotely and deliver free anywhere in South Africa. Every moissanite ships with GRA certification. For a wider view of what rings cost across sizes and metals, see our engagement ring prices guide.
How much is a 1 carat moissanite ring in South Africa?
A 1 carat diamond equivalent moissanite solitaire in 9ct gold starts at R13,995. The price rises with 18ct gold, platinum, larger stones, or added side stones.
What size is a 1 carat moissanite?
A 1ct DEW round moissanite measures about 6.5mm across. Moissanite is sold by millimetre size and diamond equivalent weight rather than by mined carat weight.
Is moissanite cheaper than a lab diamond?
Yes. A 1 carat moissanite solitaire starts at R13,995, while the same ring in a lab-grown diamond starts at R24,995.
Does the moissanite come certified?
Every moissanite is certified by GRA. Lab-grown diamonds come with IGI or GIA certification. Read more on our certification page.
Can I pay off a 1 carat ring?
Yes. You can use PayFlex, PayJustNow, Happy Pay, or Mobicred at checkout, or pay a deposit and balance for made-to-order rings. See our payment plans.