Frequently Asked Questions

We conjured up a ton of our frequently asked questions (already!) to give you the ultimate transparency.

Can you educate me on "color" and "clarity" of a moissanite and a diamond? I'm a little confused.

Here's the easiest way to put it. Colors are categorized like letters of the alphabet: DEF, GHI, and so forth. D, E, & F are completely colorless and G, H, & I are near colorless (also more economical). There are other colors such as J and K which carry a faint yellow color plus fancy color diamonds!

Clarity is another thing to also be mindful of if you're choosing to go with a diamond - lab or natural. This is how they're categorized:

FL - Flawless

IF - Internally Flawless

VVS1 - Very Very Slightly Included 1

VVS2 - Very Very Slightly Included 2

VS1 - Very Slightly Included 1

VS2 - Very Slightly Included 2

SI1 - Slightly Included 1

SI2 - Slightly Included 2

I1 - Included 1

I2 - Included 2

I3 - Included 3

There are also included diamonds, but we choose to not carry those here. At MAIA + LYRA, we prefer using lab diamonds in the VS1/VS2 category due to them being the most economical without sacrificing the quality. If you're wanting to customize the ring you see with a different diamond, we can always do a custom order!

What is a "cut" of a gemstone or diamond?

The cut of the stone is more so based on style preference! The most common stone cuts we see are brilliant or faceted. You might have also heard of a classic emerald cut or an old european cut. 

Are your natural diamonds conflict free and ethically sourced? 

Yes, all of our natural diamonds are conflict free! We are 100% committed to ethical sourcing. Any human suffering is not tolerable in the sourcing of diamonds. We fully support the Kimberley Process and provide a warranty stating a diamond is conflict-free. 

What's the recommended timeline on a custom piece for either an engagement or a wedding band?

It generally takes about 2-3 months from the initial design to delivery for any custom or bespoke piece. If you do not have a set deadline, you can allocate that timeline for your piece! If you're inquiring about a custom piece for your wedding day or special event, we recommend getting started on your project no later than 4 months before so you have ample time for revisions, fittings and arrival of your piece. We cannot do custom/bespoke pieces if you are less than three months out from your deadline date.