Synthetic diamonds won't hurt natural diamond industry

There is a lot of controversy around the cultured diamond. These diamonds are synthetic, or in other words, not naturally made. While experts can tell them apart from real diamonds, experts do believe that they can be helpful when added to the industry. Synthetic diamonds are diamond crystals that have been produced by a very complex, technological process. In short, this method is a geological process done by man.

At a recent diamond conference held in Europe, the topic of cultured diamonds came up. The leading investment and corporate leaders in the industry talked about the effects that the cultured diamond would have on the markets. The key is that they did not say the diamond would cause the natural occurring diamond’s prices to fall. Rather, they believe that the synthetic formed diamonds will in fact help to provide some solution to the problem of demand, which the diamond industry has had a difficult time keeping up with.

Engagement Ring Trends

Engagement Ring Trends Inspired By
What Celebrities Are Saying “Yes” To



According to this article on diamond engagement ring fashion trends, celebrities have fallen head over heels in love with their engagement rings...



Eva Longoria Parker, Stacy “Fergie” Ferguson, Jessica Alba, Ellen Pompeo, Katherine Heigl. It almost appears that all of young Hollywood has fallen in love. They have also fallen head over heels in love with their engagement rings.


When you’re contemplating an engagement ring, you may care to consider that engagement rings can tell you a lot about a person. According to jewelry experts, an engagement ring is as individual as the person who wears it. Here are three top celebrity engagement ring styles and some clues to what the style means:


Fancy-Shaped Diamonds
Round diamonds are undoubtedly the most-popular shape stone for engagement rings. However, there is an entire world of “fancy” shapes available including emerald, oval, marquise, pear and cushion. These fancy-shaped sparklers say the person is fashion forward with distinctive style. Celebrity fancy-shaped engagement ring wearers include Ellen Pompeo (emerald), Katherine Heigl (pear), Eva Longoria Parker (emerald) and Victoria Beckham (marquis).


Romantic Vintage Inspiration
Vintage engagement rings are romantic and ornately crafted. However, you don’t have to scour estate stores to find vintage design. New, vintage-inspired rings are being meticulously designed to be just as beautiful as their predecessors. Platinum, white gold, and palladium are great options, as vintage styles are best suited for cool metals. Vintage and vintage-inspired rings say the person is passionate, optimistic and hopelessly romantic, suggest the experts at the Jewelry Information Center. Celebrities such as Kate Walsh, Christina Aguilera and Jennifer Love Hewitt adore vintage styles.


Brilliant Color
Getting engaged is a colorful time in a couple’s life. Engagement rings are now equally as vibrant and vivid. Diamonds come in nearly every color in the rainbow. However, like a rainbow on a clear day, they are very rare. Being rare also makes them very valuable and pricey. Yet, small accent stones can be attainable and make a big impact. Women wearing colored diamonds want to make heads turn and are fun spirited while craving luxury. Heidi Klum, Rebecca Romijn and Brooke Mueller (Charlie Sheen’s fiancée) all have yellow diamond engagement rings.
Engagement rings and wedding bands serve as a lifelong reminder of dedicated love. They are passed down through generations. Find the right rings by shopping with a reputable jeweler.

NEW NOMENCLATURE RULES REGARDING SYNTHETIC DIAMONDS

The three major international trade organizations in the diamond and jewelry industry reached an agreement to abide by new rules set by the International Diamond Council (IDC) - a joint committee established in 1975 by the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) to create an international standard for rules, working methods and nomenclature.
The three organizations issued the following joint statement during the 33rd World Diamond Congress in Shanghai:

"CIBJO recognizes and respects the revised IDC Rules for Grading Diamonds, which was prepared by the International Diamond Council (IDC), which is a joint committee of IDMA and the WFDB concerned with diamond grading standards and nomenclature. The revised rules were approved in Shanghai by the executive committees of both IDMA and WFDB".

"The revised IDC rules include terminology that broadens the range of descriptors that can be used for gem-quality diamonds that have been created in laboratory or factory, and to date have been referred to as ‘synthetic’. According to the new IDC rules, gem quality diamonds created in a laboratory or factory can be described as: ‘synthetic’, ‘laboratory-grown’, ‘laboratory-created’, or ‘man-made’, and the descriptor must always be followed by the word ‘diamond’ or ‘diamonds’. Under no circumstances can the term ‘cultured’ be used to describe gem-quality synthetic diamonds.

At present, CIBJO's Diamond Blue Book only allows the descriptor ‘synthetic’ to describe gem-quality synthetic diamonds."

"Concerning diamond nomenclature, we have been aiming to get IDC - i.e. WFDB and IDMA - in line with CIBJO for many years. This important achievement bodes well for the development of the future of international diamond grading standard and nomenclature," enthuses Stephane Fischler, Chairman of the IDC, who praised the WFDB and IDMA Presidents and IDC officers for their support, and CIBJO Chairman Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri for his vision and statesmanship.

Pet bling a big thing with owners

According to this article on diamond jewelry, jewelry for pets is becoming more and more popular with pet owners:



Blame it on Paris.


The spoiled celebrity hasn't just had influence over the raising of the human hemline; she's practically single-handedly responsible for the mass posh-ification of pets, too.


Using her four-legged friends as dressed-up accessories, Paris Hilton has spawned an industry explosion of blinged-out bulldogs and chi-chi chihuahuas.



"You can trace it to the Paris Hilton thing for sure. I think that's when it really took off. You go to these trade shows nowadays, and there are tons of these booths full of this kind of stuff. It's in the last five years it's really taken off," says Michael Hoeper, manager of Pisces Pet Emporium.


The shop carries an array off accessories for the pampered pooch, including Chloe's Canine sparkly collar charms that look like diamond-encrusted bones and dollar signs.


The popularity of dog clothing has also skyrocketed, and both male and female pet owners purchase everything from precious leopard-print jackets with matching tutus and pillbox hats to tough stuff like leather jackets and bandanas -- Pisces carries a whole line of Harley -Davidson brand dog gear that includes leather collars, T-shirts, bandanas and leads.


Montreal-based Poochey Couture (poocheycouture.com) is a brick-and-mortar shop that also offers online shopping. The place is a howl, decked out in bubblegum pink and lemon yellow, stocked with racks of fashion for Fido, whether your dog tends toward geek chic, punk princess or trendsetter.


Many pet owners are content to just shampoo and brush their animals and call it a day in the looks department, but Hoeper says a lot of people like adding that attention-getting wow factor.
"I think it's that people see pets as an extension of themselves and dress them up. But they also just like to spoil them."

Fine Jewelry News Launches Weekly Poll on Jewelry Trends

From an article on diamonds and jewelry:



Fine Jewelry News has launched “A View from You,” a weekly opinion poll on its website, allowing visitors vote for their jewelry and fashion favorites, such as gemstones and metals, and weigh in on industry issues such as conflict diamonds and gem treatments.

The company, based in Wisconsin, says that the poll “gives visitors an opportunity to find out what they have in common with jewelry lovers around the world.”

In addition, the website features a forum called “Fine Jewelry Connection,” where they can ask questions, get second opinions on potential jewelry purchases and share stories and swap ideas with other visitors.

Fine Jewelry News provides jewelry news and information online and through its subscription-based bi-monthly e-newsletter, at http://www.finejewelrynews.com/. The company offers a free sample issue of the newsletter, and six bi-monthly issues are available for $15.95.



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Visit renaissancediamonds.com and discover the affordable luxury of environmentally friendly, cultured diamonds in beautifully handcrafted settings for rings, earrings, necklaces and pendants.

Diamond Congress: Agreeing on Generic Marketing and Synthetic Labeling

From an article on synthetic/cultured diamonds:



The 33rd World Diamond Congress saw the release of new International Diamond Council (IDC) rules for grading diamonds. The rules, standards on nomenclature for lab-created or synthetic diamonds, were prepared by a joint committee of IDMA and the WFDB, and stipulate that diamonds created in a laboratory environment must be labeled by approved terms.

Lab-grown, lab-created, man-made and synthetic can all be used to describe a created diamond, and these terms must be accompanied by ‘diamond.’ The committee emphasized that the term ‘cultured’ may not be used in reference to synthetic diamonds. Fischler said during the final press conference this was due to the fact that the word can be very easily confused with cultured pearls, which could imply an element of natural growth in the process.

“The intrinsic value of diamonds is based upon its uniqueness,” Fischler said. “Each diamond is unique. Lab-grown diamonds are in no way unique, and I think it is very important for everyone to understand the difference.”

The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO), said in a joint statement issued by with the WFDB and IDMA that it acknowledged and accepted the IDC’s regulations relating to the nomenclature of synthetic diamonds.

Blue and Pink Cultured Diamond Jewelry Line Launched

According to this press release on cultured diamonds, Renaissance Diamonds announced Thursday that it has designed a new jewelry collection incorporating fancy vivid pink and blue colored lab-created diamonds. Gemesis, which supplies Renaissance, has yet to officially announce these new diamonds, though the development has been expected for some time.

Dubbing them “environmentally friendly created diamonds,” the “Breathtaking” collection comprises of fashion and engagement designs with pink and blue center stones set with micro pavé.

A Gemesis spokesman told IDEX Online that the firm could comment no further than to say that, as previously stated, Gemesis plans this year to begin producing and publicly selling cultured diamonds in colors other than yellow.

The source said that these colors included blues and pinks and that the announcement would take place sometime “in the next six to eight weeks.”

Gemesis launches new website

The Gemesis Corporation, producer of gem-quality, fancy color cultured diamonds, has launched a new website that serves as an educational tool for consumers and the trade. The Florida-based company has designed the site to inform the industry about the company, the growth process, general fancy color diamond information and diamond certification. The site also features jewelry brands carrying Gemesis Cultured diamonds.

“We have completely redesigned our new website with a fresh modern look,” says Gemesis President and Chief Exeuctive Officer Stephen Lux. The site can be viewed at http://www.gemesis.com/

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Visit renaissancediamonds.com and discover the affordable luxury of environmentally friendly, cultured diamonds in beautifully handcrafted settings for rings, earrings, necklaces and pendants.

Gemesis to launch pinks and blues this year

Gemesis, the cultured diamond producer, said today it expects to launch pink and blue diamonds by the end of this year.

Currently, Gemesis only sells cultured diamonds - diamonds that share the same chemical and physical properties of earth grown diamonds but are grown under laboratory conditions - in yellow and orange.

The Florida-based company said it can currently produce colorless stones, but in sizes that would directly compete with the most prevalent mined diamonds and thus it felt no need to bring a product to market that is so readily available.

However, with predictions of a major shortage looming in larger white goods, the company’s said it is working consistently to grow stones in the 5 – 10 carat range. Gemesis expects these types of goods will be commercially available in about three years.

The supply of cultured diamonds remains extremely limited. Gemesis does not give exact figures, but the company is believed to produce and sell around 100,000 carats per year.

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Visit renaissancediamonds.com and discover the affordable luxury of environmentally friendly, cultured diamonds in beautifully handcrafted settings for rings, earrings, necklaces and pendants.

Gemesis unveils fancy color cultured diamond collection

According to an article on cultured diamonds on Diamond Intelligence Briefs, cultured diamond producer Gemesis Corporation unveiled a collection of fancy color diamond jewelry worth more than US$2 million in Beverly Hills. The “Valentine Fancies Collection,” which was introduced at antique jeweler Frances Klein Classic Jewels, included collections of jewelry from Gemesis partners Diamande, Pintura, Renaissance, Savannah, Sienna Gems, Solaura and Taryn Rose.

A 64-carat fancy yellow cultured diamond necklace was among the earrings, bracelets, and vintage-looking pieces on display. Celebrities and celebrity stylists were among the crowd that attended the champagne reception.

Cultured Diamonds Save You Money

Not that you didn’t know this already, but this article details just how cultured diamonds save you money


Jewelry is always a big seller for Valentine's Day, but for many "diamonds" are not in the budget.

Now there is a new 'type' of colored diamond not found in a mine but grown in a lab.

It's got all the brilliance of a 'natural' stone, but costs a whole lot less!If diamonds are a girl's best friend, a discounted diamond could earn them a spot in the family.

So, for those looking for a fancy colored diamond, cultured diamonds may get you more bang for your bling."

A cultured diamond has the same characteristics as a natural diamond. Same hardness, same refractive index, same brilliance."

But cost about two-thirds less. Why?

Gary Kleinhenz, who is the president of Kleinhenz Jewelers in Westlake says, these diamonds don't come from the ground. They are grown in a lab.

"It's created under the same conditions that diamonds are underneath the ground."

The Gemesis cultured diamond making laboratory in Sarasota, Florida are where the diamonds are made. The process starts with a tiny diamond seed that is placed in a growth chamber. The chamber is capable of generating the 850,000 pounds per square inch of pressure and 2,700 degrees of heat necessary to make one diamond every four days.

"It is just crystals that grow upon crystals to create a larger piece of rough. The rough diamond is sent to the cutter to be polished into what you see in finished jewelry." When you put a cultured diamond on a diamond tester- it registers as a diamond. And when we held it under a blue light, you could see the the seed the diamond grew from, right in the center."

The nucleus of a Gemesis diamond is a piece of diamond.

Right now you can only get them in yellow and orange. Other colors will be available soon. Industry leaders don't expect them to replace the white diamonds everybody loves.

"I think most people want the whitest diamond they can find and fancy colored diamonds are almost for a right handed ring or a cocktail ring, moreso than the engagement ring."

The Gemesis diamonds are certified by the Gemological Institute of America. The key here is to know when you are buying one. Make sure you are dealing with a knowledgeable jeweler who offers full-disclosure about where the diamond came from.

How To Buy A Valentine's Day Diamond

Here’s a guide on how to buy a diamond for Valentine’s Day from the Independent Jewelers Organization:

Valentine's Day is a day of giving to those we love. For many, it's a day for proposals: Valentine's Day is one of the most popular days of the year for "popping the question."

Valentine's Day is a day of giving to those we love. For many, it's a day for proposals: Valentine's Day is one of the most popular days of the year for "popping the question." And what better way to propose than with a beautiful diamond solitaire engagement ring?

With so many new diamond cuts and brands to choose from, however, those in the market for an engagement diamond might find themselves reeling. The Internet is filled with information about the best ways to make a diamond purchase, and that's the first place many start. But can an online source be better than a trusted local jeweler when it comes to making the final purchase? What are the distinct differences between a so-so diamond and one that's truly out-of-this-world? What constitutes a fair deal? And of course, how do you select a jeweler you can trust and buy from with confidence?

Buying a diamond on-line may appear to be painless. But when it's time to make the purchase, it can be difficult to buy a diamond that's never been seen from to an unknown source. "The one-on-one relationship between an experienced retail jeweler and his or her customer is the one that usually matters most when the purchase of an important diamond is made," says Richard Swetz, chairman of the Independent Jewelers Organization, a consortium and buying group of retail jewelers whose membership reaches across the United States.

Here are some tips from the IJO on finding a jeweler and buying a diamond--on Valentine's Day or any day--that should help navigate this sometimes difficult terrain:

Familiarize yourself with the basics: The four-Cs--cut, color, clarity and carat weight--describe the proportion of a diamond as well as other important physical characteristics which will effect its price. Understanding the basics will help you to understand the diamond's price.

Learn how to read a diamond grading report: All reputable jewelers sell diamonds with grading reports or certificates, which provide a third-party evaluation of a diamond and heavily impact its price. All Forever10 diamonds display 10 hearts and 10 arrows making it the world's most brilliant diamond. The Forever10 is available exclusively from IJO Master Jewelers and comes with grading reports from either the Gemological Institute of America or the American Gem Society Laboratories, two of the leading U.S. diamond gem labs. The grades include measurements of the stone, carat weight, color, clarity, finish, polish, symmetry and fluorescence. Additional comments may also be included as well as the diamond's plot or graphical representation.

Decide what you can spend--and where you want to put your money: A diamond engagement ring is a major investment and buying the best diamond you can afford is always good advice. With the expanding market for designer engagement ring settings, however, you should make an early decision about where your budgeted money will be spent: Would you rather spend more for a better diamond in a simpler setting or opt for a designer setting with a smaller stone?

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Visit renaissancediamonds.com and discover the affordable luxury of environmentally friendly, cultured diamonds in beautifully handcrafted settings for rings, earrings, necklaces and pendants.

Man-made diamonds: a girl's new best friend?

According to an article on msn money, the answer is yes.

Most people are all too familiar with having champagne tastes on a beer budget. But when it comes to diamonds, you may be able to have it both ways.

That's because gem-quality diamonds are now being grown in laboratories in places like Sarasota, Fla., and Boston. Forget cubic zirconia and Moissanite, which are made to pass as diamonds. Lab-grown stones are the real deal. And instead of the millions of years it takes to create natural diamonds, they're grown by man in a matter of days.

"We've essentially recreated the same conditions that occur hundreds of miles below the surface," says David Hellier, president of Gemesis, the Florida company that specializes in growing colored diamonds. "After about four and a half days, we get a three-carat rough diamond. From that day forward, there's no difference between that diamond and one that comes from the ground.

"Even the Gemological Institute of America, the foremost diamond research and grading body, acknowledges that these are diamonds. "To say it's not diamond is really false," says William Boyajian, gemologist and GIA president. "It's just man-made diamond."

Truth be told, General Electric has been producing synthetic diamonds for industrial purposes for years. But until recently, creating gem-quality colorless or near-colorless diamonds that were big enough to cut was a thing of fantasy.

Consumers "can have the bling they see on the stars but at a fraction of the cost," Hellier says. Remember JLo's pink diamond engagement ring? Gemesis mostly sells yellow and orange diamonds, but is starting to offer pinks and limited quantities of blues as well.

Even to the trained, albeit naked, eye these diamonds look like the usual mined variety. "The material is beautiful," says the GIA's Boyajian. "You can't tell visually a synthetic from a natural diamond."

Discover Affordable Luxury at Renaissance Diamonds' New Website

Heard about cultured diamonds, but want to learn more about these amazing gems?

Visit our new website, renaissancediamonds.com, and discover the affordable luxury of cultured fancy diamonds. You’ll find a stunning array of magnificent gems in beautifully handcrafted settings for rings, earrings, necklaces and pendants that are sure to make jaws drop. Plus discover a complete selection of loose diamonds in all the most popular cuts, including princess, emerald, heart and pear, ready to be placed in the setting of your choice.

Want to know what makes cultured diamonds unique? Read our FAQs and learn the facts for yourself in minutes.

Cultured diamonds have been featured in Newsweek, Vanity Fair and The Times of London online. Celebrities like Charlie Sheen are buying them for their fiancées. Find out what all the buzz is about from the leading resource of these dazzling gems at renaissancediamonds.com.