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Posts Tagged ‘cultured diamonds’

It has often been said that diamonds are eternal. Taking millions of years to form in nature, they are the hardest naturally occurring substance on Earth. It’s no wonder that they have become a symbol of enduring love and stability. Recent scientific advancements now allow for efficient production of jewelry-quality cultured, or man-made, diamonds. In some cases, these can be far more precious, unique and personalized keepsakes and heirlooms than mined stones.

Man-made stones are “grown” from a tiny seed of diamond, resulting in a flawless gem that is optically, chemically and physically identical to natural mined jewels. They are produced over a period of several weeks rather than millions of years. However, it is now possible to include carbon from sources as diverse as human hair and the ashes of the deceased.

This has led to the rise of synthetic stones that are produced using, for example, hair from the bride and groom of a wedding, or from the ashes of a beloved grandparent. While every gem is unique, these man-made stones are even more so, since the carbon which is used to produce them comes from a very specific source.

Besides the aforementioned uses in wedding bands and commemorative jewelry, these synthetic diamonds can serve as the ultimate Mother’s Day gift. A ring, bracelet or necklace with a center stone containing hair from each child will become a treasured keepsake, offering a degree of uniqueness which simply cannot be matched or repeated. In addition, those who want to commemorate a beloved cat, dog or other pet will be pleased to know that the pet’s hair or fur can also be used to create a cultured diamond.

Because diamonds are so enduring and beautiful, jewelry created as memorials to loved ones are a wonderful family heirloom. These pieces will be passed down for generations with a special heritage – not merely a cold rock like any other from the earth, but a part of friends, family members or pets that will endure for hundreds of years and a physical reminder that our loved ones never are truly gone as long as we remember them and hold them close in our hearts.

There is even a rising market for cultured diamonds created from the hair of celebrities. Many of these unique and eternal gems are being auctioned off to benefit charities or other public causes. Since all it takes is a small snip, gems made from famous performers such as Michael Jackson are already on the market. These unusual stones are becoming popular for use in charity fundraising – proceeds from sales of such celebrity commemorative jewelry going to important causes that the celebrity held dear. For those who have been touched deeply by a celebrity’s work, these unusual collectors’ items could be considered the ultimate way to honor them. These stones would also be an amazing gift for a loved one who is a huge fan.

These special cultured diamonds offer a unique way to show love and appreciation. No matter if the resulting jewelry is intended as a gift or for yourself, these amazing gems are a treasure that cannot be measured in mere material worth, and a memorial that will endure for hundreds of years.

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Stephen Daniels is an acclaimed SEO 2.0 researcher of best practices, products, and services for a wide variety of industries. He highly recommends JewelNet.com, the premiere producer of eco-friendly cultured diamonds named by EarthShare. They offer loose stones and bridal jewelry, pendants and earrings with certified stones in six vibrant colors.

In general, most people love diamonds, but are deterred by the cost of owning them. The once popular synthetic cubic zirconia (CZ), an inexpensive option, is heavy and lacks the brilliance that makes diamonds so desirable. In large sizes, CZs don’t even look real to the naked eye. How, then, can one purchase the fire and sparkle at a reasonable price? Lab-created gems have come of age. They are no longer poor substitutes for the real thing – they are the real thing. In fact, they go one step farther — these stones are flawless.

Carbon crystals with the same chemical, optical and physical properties as those stones that are found in mines, “cultured”, or man-made diamonds, provide the same brilliance, sparkle, fire and scintillation as their natural counterparts. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades cultured gems by the same standards it uses for natural ones, acknowledging that they are in fact diamonds. The primary difference is that the rating describes cultured stones as “laboratory grown.”

High quality colored stones are extremely rare in nature, and thus very expensive. These colors result from certain impurities – nitrogen will create yellow, boron will create blue, and so forth. Besides being flawless, lab-created diamonds can easily be produced in several different colors. Prices for these vibrantly colored stones are fairly comparable to colorless gems.

Similar to their natural counterparts, cultured diamonds can be purchased either loose, or already in jewelry settings. Most jewelry and department stores don’t carry them, however. These stones have only just been introduced to the market, and still comprise only a small portion of the total diamond inventory out there.

Here are some differences to be aware of regarding man-made diamonds: 1. Most are 1-2 carats in weight. Larger stones are made, but are the exception, rather than the rule. 2. The majority of man-made stones are colored, rather than colorless – precisely the opposite of natural stones. 3. While experts can detect that these gems are man-made, special equipment is required to be sure. This equipment is very expensive. 4. It is far easier to find “matched pairs” of identical man-made stones for use in jewelry than it is when one is using natural gems.

Some people may be concerned that a seller may try to pass off a lab created diamond as “the real thing.” This is unlikely as long as you are purchasing from someone reputable. Producers of lab-grown diamonds are very proud of the gems they are able to create. Also, these are genuine diamonds rather than “cheap” imitations in the first place. The difference in the stones can be detected, and, in addition, jewelers have every incentive to preserve the integrity of the natural diamond market. Thus, a good jeweler will be happy to help you identify the stone you wish to purchase.

While lab-created gems are available less expensively than natural stones, they are not priced anywhere near as low as cheap CZ. Expect to pay about one third less for lab produced diamonds than for natural ones. Cultured diamonds are readily available through websites that openly and proudly announce that their stones are lab-grown. However, just like any other online purchase, carefully check out the vendor prior to your purchase to make sure they are reputable.

Looking for high-quality diamonds that won’t break the bank? The only eco-friendly diamond producer named by Earthshare, JewelNet.com offers loose stones, bridal jewelry, pendants and earrings with certified stones in six colors. Visit the website for a free e-book on Diamond Savings. Powered by SEO 2.0 Services