Round stones are a common choice, but baguette moissanite watches may offer a more refined luxury look․ Baguette watches feature a stylish Art Deco design that is still fashionable today․ Moissanite is a relatively inexpensive gemstone compared with diamonds and other gemstones․
This article discusses the baguette-style moissanite, differences and similarities between round brilliant and baguette moissanite and other moissanite styles, jewelry styles that use baguette moissanite, tips for buying baguette moissanite, and pricing information․
What Is a Baguette Moissanite Watch?
A baguette-style moissanite watch has baguette-style moissanite accents on the watch bezel, dial, or band․ Baguette-style gemstones are rectangular gemstones with step cuts and large, open facets․ The name baguette comes from the French word for “rod” and describes the elongated shape of these gemstones․
Channel settings and other methods are commonly used to set baguette-style moissanite on a watch in rows on the bezel or other parts of the watch to give a uniform appearance with reflected light․
This is a different type of iced jewelry than the typical kinds of iced jewelry and watches that people think of․ The rectangular-shaped baguette diamonds have less dispersion of light than other cuts, making them look more elegant․
According to information on the Vaira, the “step-cut faceting” of baguette diamonds creates a “hall of mirrors” effect that enhances other diamond characteristics, such as color, over brilliance․
Baguette Cut Versus Round Brilliant Cut: Differences on a Watch
Learning about the distinction can prevent you from buying certain types of moissanite․ Round Brilliant-cut moissanite has 58 facets designed to maximize light reflection and fire․ Round Brilliant-cut moissanite reflects colored light․ A ring setting with a row of round Brilliant-cut moissanite gemstones is sometimes referred to as a “water ring” and was popularized in hip-hop culture․
Baguette gemstones look different․ Baguette gemstone facets reflect light to produce sparkles rather than fire․ Baguette gemstones are popular on watches․ Many watch styles include both baguette and round-cut gemstones․ Bezels on some popular styles are made with baguette gemstones, while round-cut gemstones are used on the case and watch bands․ Watches with these styles have the benefits of both gemstone cuts․
| Feature | Baguette Cut | Round Brilliant Cut |
| Facet style | Step-cut, straight edges | Brilliant, 58 facets |
| Light effect | Flat sheets, “hall of mirrors” | Intense fire and sparkle |
| Look on wrist | Sleek, architectural, refined | Bold, flooded, maximum flash |
| Clarity demand | Higher (inclusions show more) | More forgiving |
| Best use on watches | Bezels, dial accents | Full coverage, bracelets |
Why Moissanite Is Popular in Baguette Cuts
Baguettes have gemstone qualities․ Baguette cuts have high light reflections that can make imperfections and color of gemstones more noticeable than in round brilliant cuts․ Lower-quality baguettes are less desirable because of this․ Moissanite is a good choice for baguette cuts because moissanite gemstones grown in a lab are colorless D or E and flawless․
Properties described on the website indicate that moissanite has a Mohs hardness score of 9․25 and a refractive index of 2․65 to 2․69, higher than that of a diamond․
According to the Sateur, moissanite has around 2․4 times the fire of natural diamonds, is priced at 90-95% less than diamonds, and maintains its color and clarity over time, desirable features in baguette-style gemstones․
Baguette Watch Styles You Should Know
The traditional baguette bezel design incorporates a full circle of baguette diamonds around the watch face․ This design frames the watch face much like an image is framed and works well with dress watches and high-diamond-content watches․ The design photographs well․
Then there are models with more than one type of gemstone, like round brilliants in the case and lugs and baguette gemstones in the channel setting of the bezel․ Retail models with a combined gem weight of 14 carats typically have round gemstones weighing about 9 carats and baguette gemstones weighing about 4 carats․
Models with this combination are popular due to the contrast between the round and baguette gemstones․ Bracelets with fully set baguette gemstones are less common and more costly to manufacture because of the challenges of manufacturing with baguette gemstones․
| Style | What It Looks Like | Best For |
| Baguette bezel | Circle of channel-set baguettes around the clock dial | Dress and other framed watch styles |
| Mixed-stone build | Baguette setting, round diamonds on case and bracelet links | Forest and bright colors combined in one picture |
| Full baguette bracelet | Calibrated baguettes across the whole bracelet | Maximum statement, rarest and costliest statement issued |
What You Should Know Before Buying
Clarity is especially important for baguette gemstones․ Baguette gemstones are more likely to display flaws than other gemstones․ Aim for baguette gemstones with at least VS1 clarity and D-F color․ Flaws in VS2 baguette gemstones may be visible in similarly graded round gemstones․ Ask for written warranties on the clarity and color of baguette gemstones instead of verbal ones․
Quality assurance is important for baguette diamonds․ Commonly used settings for baguette diamonds include channel and secure bar settings and other safe options suitable for baguette diamonds and other long diamonds․ Avoid setting baguette diamonds with glue․
Use video to confirm that baguette diamonds pass a diamond tester․ Ask for a certificate of diamond grades from GRA․ Verify the watch features an automatic movement, solid stainless steel case, and a stated water resistance rating․
- Memorable, VS1 or higher, proof of D-F color in writing
- Channel or bar setting (not glued)
- Video demonstrating that the diamond tester passed
- GRA certification included
- Automatic movement confirmed
- Stainless steel case and water resistance rating
How Much Does a Baguette Cut Moissanite Watch Cost?
Baguette moissanite watches are more costly than round moissanite watches because baguettes are more difficult to manufacture and assemble․ Affordable baguette moissanite watches with small quantities of moissanite cost $800 to $1,200․
Moderately priced baguette moissanite watches with 10 to 15 carats of moissanite in various shapes and other features, including an automatic movement, cost $1,500 to $2,500․
Premium iced baguette builds with 20 carats or more sell for $2,500-4,000․ Natural baguette diamonds sell for $10,000 or more․ Baguette diamonds of good quality are expensive․ Moissanite products marketed under $500 are likely zirconia or crystal․
| Tier | Price Range | What You Get |
| Entry moissanite baguette | 1‚200 | Lighter baguette toppings, basic structures |
| Mid-range moissanite | 2‚500 | 10-15 carats of various shapes, automatic timepiece |
| Premium moissanite | 4‚000 | 20+ carats, full coverage, display backs available |
| Natural diamond baguette | $10‚000+ | Lab-created baguette diamonds, high quality finish |
Caring for a Moissanite Baguette Watch
Baguette watches require regular maintenance, including weekly washing with warm, soapy water and a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean the gaps between the baguette stones and other hard-to-reach spots on the watch․ Rinse well, then use a lint-free cloth to remove excess moisture to preserve the baguette stones’ reflective qualities․
Do not use an ultrasonic cleaner․ Sound waves can loosen the channel settings․ Remove the watch when handling other chemicals or chlorine or playing rough sports․ Check channel settings with a jeweler at least once a year․ With proper care, moissanite baguettes will keep their bright look forever․
Frequently Asked Questions
Scroll down and read short answers about the related faqs people are searching throughout the internet about the same topic.
Do baguette diamond cuts reflect light as well as round diamond cuts?
They have different sparkle rather than less sparkle․ Round brilliants have more fiery sparkle․ Baguettes have flashes of sparkle that make them look more elegant․ Baguettes set in a bezel have an elegant, less eye-catching appearance that many customers prefer․
Are baguette moissanite watches appropriate for daily wear?
Yes․ Moissanite has a Mohs hardness of 9․25 and is very scratch-resistant․ Certain moissanite jewelry settings, including channel settings, can protect baguette-cut moissanite, whose corners are the most vulnerable point․ Moissanite watches with baguette cuts set in channels or bars can withstand everyday wear and tear․
Why do baguette watches need higher clarity grades?
Step cuts show more internal characteristics than brilliant cuts․ Inclusions and other color characteristics are more noticeable in baguette-shaped diamonds than in round diamonds of similar clarity․ Inclusions visible in a VS2 baguette-shaped diamond may not be visible in a round brilliant diamond of the same clarity․ We recommend VS1 or better clarity and D-to-F color for baguette-shaped watch diamonds․
How do I tell the difference between authentic moissanite watches with baguette cuts and counterfeit watches?
Ask written questions about clarity and color grades․ Ask for video proof of a diamond test․ Check for GRA certification․ Real moissanite jewelry will test positive on common diamond tests․ Examine settings of real moissanite jewelry for channel or bar settings․ Fake moissanite jewelry is usually cemented into settings․ Moissanite jewelry priced below $500 is probably fake․
Can baguette-cut moissanite be combined with round stones?
Absolutely, a popular look․ Channel-set baguette diamonds on the bezel and round brilliant diamonds on the case and bracelet provide a mixed look and attractive timepiece that can often be bought for $1,500 to $2,500․
Final Thoughts
A baguette moissanite watch may be attractive to consumers who enjoy angular watch styles․ Advantages of baguette moissanite watches include Art Deco features and enduring moissanite sparkle․ Tips for buying a baguette moissanite watch include looking for VS1 or better moissanite quality and video proof of channel settings from jewelers, as well as choosing an appropriate coverage tier․ A baguette moissanite watch is likely to sparkle more than a round moissanite watch․
