Moissanite Solitaire Ring, 1ct to 3ct Certified, 925

A solitaire is the simplest ring to wear and the hardest to fake well, because there is nothing to hide behind. One stone, a slim band and a raised basket setting, so the cut and the polish do all the work. The band is kept narrow on purpose. It stacks easily beside a wedding band, and a slender shank makes the centre stone look larger against the finger than a heavy band would.

The centre stone is certified moissanite, and the certificate matters most on a ring you plan to keep. It documents what you bought, which helps with insurance and with any later resale. Moissanite has a refractive index of about 2.65 against diamond's 2.42, so it throws more coloured fire, and at 9.25 on the Mohs scale it resists the scratches that cloud softer stones. The band is pure 925 sterling silver with 14k plating, so it will not tarnish the way plated brass does.

Choose by carat and by finish. The 1ct is the everyday size, low enough to wear to work and under gloves. The 2ct has clear presence at conversation distance. The 3ct is a statement stone and suits a longer finger. Finishes are a silver colour, which reads as white metal, and rose gold, which is warmer and flatters most skin tones. Ring sizes run from US 3 through 8 in whole sizes, so measure a finger before you order.

• Stone: moissanite, supplied with certificate
• Carat options: 1ct, 2ct, 3ct
• Metal: pure 925 sterling silver, 14k plated
• Finish: silver colour or rose gold colour
• Ring sizes: US 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
• Setting: raised basket solitaire