The Premium Stones Story: Brilliance Meets Accessibility

When light hits the bezel of a Paul Rich Moissanite or Diamond watch, something magical happens—brilliant flashes of fire and sparkle that rival the most expensive jewelry in the world. This is the power of premium stones, and we're bringing this dazzling luxury to accessible watchmaking.

Our Two-Tier Stone Philosophy

At Paul Rich, we offer two levels of stone-set luxury, each with its own story and appeal:

• Moissanite - Lab-grown brilliance with near-diamond hardness and superior fire
• Diamonds & Premium Stones - Natural brilliance for ultimate luxury

Both represent our commitment to bringing genuine sparkle and premium materials to accessible price points. Let's explore each one.

Moissanite: The Lab-Grown Marvel

What is Moissanite?

Moissanite is one of the most brilliant gemstones on Earth—and one of the most fascinating. Originally discovered in 1893 by French scientist Henri Moissan in a meteor crater in Arizona, natural moissanite is extraordinarily rare. What Moissan found were tiny crystals of silicon carbide that had traveled from the stars.

Today, moissanite is created in laboratories using advanced technology that replicates the extreme heat and pressure conditions under which the stone forms naturally. The result is a gemstone that's optically superior to diamonds in many ways, yet costs a fraction of the price.

Why Moissanite is Extraordinary

More Fire Than Diamonds
Moissanite has a refractive index of 2.65-2.69, compared to diamond's 2.42. This means moissanite bends light more dramatically, creating more "fire"—those rainbow flashes you see when light hits the stone. In direct sunlight or bright lighting, moissanite actually outsparkles diamonds.

Nearly as Hard as Diamonds
Moissanite scores 9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it the second-hardest gemstone after diamond (10). This means it's incredibly durable and resistant to scratching—perfect for everyday watch wear.

Flawless Clarity
Lab-grown moissanite is created under controlled conditions, resulting in stones with exceptional clarity. Unlike natural diamonds, which often contain inclusions and imperfections, our moissanite stones are eye-clean and flawless.

Ethical and Sustainable
Lab-grown moissanite has zero environmental impact from mining and no ethical concerns about conflict stones. It's luxury you can feel good about wearing.

Colorless Brilliance
We use only premium colorless moissanite (D-E-F color grade equivalent), ensuring pure white brilliance that complements our frosted cases and aventurine dials perfectly.

Moissanite vs. Diamond: The Truth

Let's be honest about the comparison:

Property	Moissanite	Diamond
Brilliance (Fire)	Higher (2.65-2.69 RI)	High (2.42 RI)
Hardness	9.25 (Very Hard)	10 (Hardest)
Clarity	Flawless (Lab-grown)	Varies (Natural)
Ethics	100% Conflict-free	Depends on sourcing
Environmental Impact	Minimal (Lab-grown)	High (Mining)
Cost	10-15% of diamond	Very expensive
Rarity	Lab-created	Natural (Rare)

The bottom line: Moissanite offers superior optical performance and ethics at a fraction of diamond's cost. For watch bezels where sparkle and durability matter most, moissanite is often the smarter choice.

Our Moissanite Collections

Moissanite Frosted Star Dust II
Our flagship moissanite collection combines three premium elements: diamond-dust frosted cases, genuine aventurine dials, and hand-set moissanite stones on the bezel. It's a triple-texture masterpiece—matte icy metal, smooth cosmic shimmer, and brilliant sparkling stones. Available in Silver, Gold, Rose Gold, Black, and Void editions.

Each watch features carefully selected moissanite stones that are hand-set into the bezel, creating a frame of brilliance around the aventurine dial. The contrast between the matte frosted case and the sparkling stones creates maximum visual impact.

Diamonds & Premium Stones: Natural Brilliance

When We Use Natural Stones

For our highest-tier collections, we use natural diamonds and premium stones. These represent the pinnacle of luxury—materials that have been formed over millions of years deep within the Earth.

Our Diamond Collections

Diamond Astro Skeleton
Our tonneau-shaped skeleton watches feature natural diamonds hand-set into the bezel, creating a luxurious frame for the intricate mechanical movement visible through the dial. The combination of exposed gears and sparkling diamonds creates a bold, contemporary aesthetic. Available in multiple colorways including Lunar Silver, Galaxy Black, Eclipse Gold, and more.

Iced Star Dust
Taking our aventurine signature to maximum luxury, Iced Star Dust features premium stones set into the bezel, creating a dazzling frame around the cosmic blue aventurine dial. It's bold, it's brilliant, and it's unmistakably special.

Our Stone Setting Process

Whether moissanite or diamonds, every stone in a Paul Rich watch is:

• Carefully selected - We inspect each stone for clarity, color, and cut quality
• Hand-set - Skilled craftsmen individually place and secure each stone
• Prong-secured - Stones are held by metal prongs that ensure security while maximizing light entry
• Quality inspected - Every bezel is checked to ensure all stones are secure and properly aligned
• Durability tested - Stone settings are tested to ensure they'll withstand daily wear

Why Stone-Set Watches Matter

Stone-set bezels aren't just about sparkle—they represent a level of craftsmanship and luxury that elevates a watch from accessory to statement piece.

The Visual Impact

Stones catch and reflect light in ways that metal simply cannot. They create movement, sparkle, and visual interest that draws the eye and commands attention. A stone-set bezel transforms a watch from subtle to striking.

The Craftsmanship

Hand-setting stones requires skill, patience, and precision. Each stone must be individually placed, aligned, and secured—a process that can take hours for a single bezel. This level of hand craftsmanship is rare in accessible watchmaking.

The Versatility

Stone-set watches work equally well for evening events and daily wear. They add elegance to formal attire and bring luxury to casual outfits. They're conversation starters and confidence boosters.

Caring for Your Stone-Set Watch

Daily Wear

• Avoid impacts - While stones are durable, sharp impacts can loosen settings
• Remove for heavy work - Take off your watch during activities that could damage the stones or settings
• Check settings periodically - Gently touch each stone to ensure it's secure (they shouldn't move)

Cleaning

• Soft brush and soap - Use a soft toothbrush with mild soap and warm water to clean around stones
• Rinse thoroughly - Ensure all soap residue is removed
• Dry completely - Pat dry with a soft cloth, paying attention to areas around stone settings
• Professional cleaning - Consider professional ultrasonic cleaning annually for deep cleaning

Storage

• Separate storage - Store stone-set watches separately to prevent stones from scratching other watches
• Soft pouch or box - Keep in a padded watch box or soft pouch when not wearing
• Avoid extreme temperatures - Don't leave in hot cars or expose to extreme cold

The Ethics of Our Stones

Moissanite: 100% Ethical

Our lab-grown moissanite has zero environmental impact from mining, no conflict concerns, and no human rights issues. It's created in controlled laboratory environments using sustainable processes. You can wear it with complete peace of mind.

Diamonds: Responsibly Sourced

For our diamond collections, we work only with suppliers who adhere to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, which prevents conflict diamonds from entering the supply chain. We're committed to ensuring our natural stones are ethically sourced.

Moissanite vs. Diamonds: Which Should You Choose?

Choose Moissanite if you want:

• Maximum brilliance and fire (more sparkle than diamonds)
• 100% ethical and sustainable luxury
• Exceptional value (10-15% of diamond cost)
• Flawless clarity guaranteed
• A modern, forward-thinking choice

Choose Diamonds if you want:

• Natural stones formed over millions of years
• Traditional luxury and prestige
• The hardest natural material on Earth
• Investment value and rarity
• Classic, timeless appeal

Both are exceptional choices—it comes down to your personal values and preferences.

The Future of Premium Stones at Paul Rich

As we continue to innovate, we're exploring:

• New stone-setting patterns and designs
• Colored moissanite options for unique aesthetics
• Combining different stone types in single designs
• Expanding stone-set options across more collections
• Lab-grown diamond options for ultimate ethical luxury

Our commitment remains constant: bringing genuine premium stones to accessible luxury watchmaking.

The Complete Paul Rich Experience

When you combine our three signature elements—diamond-dust frosted finish, genuine aventurine dials, and premium stones—you get something truly extraordinary. A watch that sparkles with moissanite or diamonds, shimmers with cosmic aventurine, and glows with icy frosted texture.

This is accessible luxury at its finest: genuine materials, expert craftsmanship, and bold design at prices that make sense.

Experience the brilliance of premium stones. Explore our Moissanite and Diamond collections.

Shop Stone-Set Watches