Creating a More Eco-Friendly Jewelry Industry
Charles & Colvard® to Open First Brick & Mortar
in Morrisville, NC
Perhaps the only way Charles & Colvard could top the momentum they’ve created in launching four major collections this season is to debut an exquisite brick and mortar showroom for customers to be able to experience the sentiment of the brand in person.
When Charles & Colvard CEO, Don O'Connell, said the Research Triangle Park, NC based company was "on the move," he certainly meant it.
With three major launches unveiled in three months’ time, their latest announcement - new lab grown precious gemstones in color - is another big milestone for the company and adds a colorful n
Fresh off a Couture Collection launch that showcased their Caydia® lab grown diamonds in astounding carat weights and dramatic new silhouettes - Charles & Colvard is once again turning heads. This time, with their first ever line of men's diamond fashion bands.
Featuring Caydia® lab grown diamonds and 14K recycled yellow and white gold, this sleek new line will join their acclaimed Signature Collection and g
A brand on the move, Charles & Colvard is giving the luxury industry a glimpse of what the future of fine jewelry looks like with their new Couture Collection. Responsibly crafted using Caydia® lab grown diamonds and recycled precious metals, the 50-piece collection features rings, bracelets, and earrings in staggering carat weights and design combinations that prove luxury fine
All new Forever One™ moissanite engagement rings were unveiled on charlesandcolvard.com, just in time for bridal season.
With over 35 new pieces, these designs showcase the expert craftsmanship that’s been synonymous with Charles & Colvard's Forever One™ moissanite, but with elevated and unexpected details in every piece.
With larger carat weights, striking geometric shapes, and intricate det
This week, as jewelers from all over the world head to JCK for “the most important jewelry buying event in North America,” they’ll have a new shift in diamond buying trends to consider.
As CNN Business recently reported, there’s been a monumental up-swing in demand for lab grown diamonds over traditional mined diamonds amongst consumers.
New data shows lab grown diamond ring sales jumped 63% last year amongst ring shoppers and natural diamond rings declined 25%.
Charles & Colvard partnered with Wake Technical Community College to award two deserving women the Charles & Colvard Women’s Empowerment Scholarship – an award specifically designed to support women in the community that are seeking higher education and actively pursuing their long-term career goals. To learn more about this scholarship, we encourage you to visit this page.
Recently, we caught up for a Q&A session with both winners: Ashley Mobley and Latiffa Lindsey. These lovely ladies opened up on topics of personal achievements, encouragement, and advice for the next brilliant woman. Read on to see just what makes them so very deserving of this scholarship….
Ashley:
Just like describing a gemstone, brilliance in my opinion pertains to un
We can’t say congratulations enough to the amazing ladies of the North Carolina Courage for their second National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Championship win in late October 2019! This team proves time-and-time again, their deserving presence. Having the mind-set and experience of previously capturing a championship, they were unstoppable when closing out their winning game on October 27th against Chicago Red Stars in a 4-0 win. What can we say – they just can’t stop shining!
Charles & Colvard stands behind these successful, inspiring women as proud partners that are the epitome of #ShesBrilliant – our underlying message to consumers that seek beautiful, moissanite jewelry backed by the women that inspire them. For more on what drives and inspires these champions, check out these videos:
Have you ever had an allergic reaction to your jewelry? It’s a well-known fact that the metal contained in your jewelry setting can cause some annoying allergy symptoms to those that have a sensitivity to it. You may not be aware of the metal(s) and alloys that are present in your favorite pieces of jewelry, and the results may surprise you! Those that do experience a reaction should transition to metals that are hypoallergenic.
According to the National Institute of Health, an individual allergic to metals can experience contact dermatitis. Symptoms may present themselves as quickly as a few minutes or as much as 48 hours later depending on level of sensitivity. They can include itching, redness, tenderness, swelling, and warmth to the exposed area. In more severe cases dry patches and blisters ma
Charles & Colvard is honored to be the official jewelry sponsor of the North Carolina Courage professional women’s soccer team. And we are thrilled to have created the 2018 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Championship rings.
The celebratory ring is crafted in 10k white gold, featuring 23 moissanite gemstones carrying a total diamond equivalent weight of 0.83ct. The NC Courage logo and their mantra #NoFinishLine seamlessly integrate to complete the design. Presented in a pre-game ceremony of their home opener on April 13, 2019 when the 2018 NWSL Champions took on the Chicago Red Stars.
Originating in the 1500s, this vintage cut features a flat base with a domed top that resembles the petals of a rosebud. It was popular in the Georgian and Victorian eras when the primary sources of light were candles and then gas lights, which were perfectly romantic for this mostly transparent gem.
Cut by hand at a time when tools were not as advanced, the rose cut tops off at 25 facets. It offers a soft luster rather than a reflective sparkle. And because the cut is flat on the bottom with no carat weight below the girdle, the domed surface appears larger than it is.
The beauty of rose cut gems has never been lost, though popularity waned during the early 1900s. Today, there is a resurgence in vintage style
Anyone else watch the Oscars just to see all the gorgeous dresses and jewelry? We love fashion just as much as the next gal, and this year’s designs did not disappoint. From necklines, to statement sleeves, shoes, and jewelry, it was a fabulous display of glamorous style that left us feeling so inspired! We thought it would be fun to take a few of our favorite looks from the night and pair them back to some of our own stunning jewelry.
Perfectly Classic. Regina King, Melissa McCarthy, Emilia Clarke, and Ashley Graham went for classic looks that offer timeless appeal. If you’ve got a black-tie affair on the horizon, reach for styles with defined lines that create a refined silhouette and leave ample room to complement with jewelry. Drop earrings are a great accessory for strapless dresses and can play to a geometric trend. For a plunging neckline, an elegant tennis necklace draws attention without overpowering, and a tennis bracelet ties it all together with a so
Third generation jewelry designer, Kristy Ford shares her love for all gemstones. In this video, she gives us a peek inside her studio, her design process, and how the double refractive properties of Charles & Colvard moissanite brought a specific design to light.
We're so happy the brilliance of moissanite could highlight Kristy's beautiful design.
You can follow her on Instagram @shopkristyford to see more of her gorgeous jewelry.
Did you catch our Facebook LIVE with The Knot's How They Asked?!
We've got you covered! Watch as How They Asked's director, Meghan Brown talks all things moissanite with our very own marketing director, Sarah O’Dea and see for youreslf why this brilliant gemstone should be top of mind when you’re thinking about choosing an engagement ring this year!
Love is in the air, so we’re calling out to sweethearts everywhere! Valentine’s Day is near, and it happens to be one of the most popular days to get engaged. What better time for a proposal, than a day dedicated to love? If you’re thinking about the most romantic “yes” you’ll ever utter, you’re most likely envisioning your dream ring. To help guide you, we’ve put together a list of our Top 10 engagement rings. From dainty classics and bold bling to modern spins, their brilliance will wow you!
The most wonderful time deserves the most brilliant ring.
Here are the best of the best, guaranteed to get you the YES!
Think Heavenly
The Signature Halo Oval Engagement Ring in 14k rose gold – A sophisticated ring with royal appeal, this one is best suited for the most glamorous gal.
Divine Simplicity
If your heads and wallets are spinning from the styles you've seen at fashion week, award shows and red carpets, don't worry - we're here to help! Inspired by a recent Jewelers of America webinar, here are our fashionable jewelry picks to stay on trend all summer long, all available at Charles & Colvard!
This year's Met Gala and Royal Wedding made fashion history and definitely influenced what is now trending. Since these events, there has been a noticeable uptick in a more luxurious styles and color in jewelry. Get the brilliant look with these environmentally and budget friendly green moissanite pieces, prince charming not included. Did you know: With every purchase of our limited edition green moissanite styles, Charles & Colvard will donate 10% of the proceeds to The Nature Conservancy? Love green, live green!
“All that I am or hope to be, I owe to my mother.” – Abraham Lincoln.
We couldn’t agree more with Lincoln. Whether you’re married to one, the mother of one, the son of one, or the best friend of one, these special mother figures deserve a shout out for all their hard work! Over the past few weeks, we’ve shared loving stories from Catherine, Meghan, Melissa and Bianca about their superhero moms. This week, we will celebrate two more amazing moms who have inspired their daughters to be the best version of themselves.
If you’d like to see your mom featured in our blog series, share your story with us on Facebook, Instagram or
Earlier this week, we started our new mini-series of blogs celebrating the brilliance of the mother figures in your lives. We loved reading Catherine and Meghan’s stories, and hope you did too! This week, we are featuring Melissa and Bianca’s submissions about their hardworking, selfless and loving moms. Keep reading to learn more about their stories and share your own with us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using #BrilliantMoms!
“My mom is the light of my life.”
This year, Charles & Colvard is celebrating moms in a new way. Not only are we offering personalized jewelry and other special Mother’s Day gifts, we will also be sharing stories of the #BrilliantMoms and mother-figures in your lives. In March, we held a Mother’s Day Giveaway in which entrants shared stories of gratitude and love for their special moms. They were so touching we couldn’t keep them to ourselves! Each week until Mother’s Day we will celebrate these women by posting new stories of your truly inspirational moms. This week, Catherine and Meghan share why their moms mean the most to them. Learn more about their stories and get inspired to find the perfect gift for your mom this year.
This just in: moissanite engagement rings are 2018’s hottest trend!
“This year, brides are obsessed with a non-diamond engagement ring… it’s called moissanite.” According to Pinterest, moissanite engagement rings are the biggest ring trend happening right now – in fact, “searches for moissanite engagement rings are up 294% since 2017.”
A recent article by Jessica Booth on Hello Giggles discusses this growing trend, highlighting moissanite’s value, brilliance and affordability as key reasons brides are opting for this alternative gemstone. Having a distinctive, non-traditional ring is important for brides today – they are looking for “something a little bit more unique.” And their search for the perfect ring is leading them to moissanite. Booth can see why people are opting for moissanit
Here at Charles & Colvard, we are leading a revolution in the jewelry industry – delivering a brilliant, eco-friendly product at an extraordinary value. We were thrilled to be a part of Megyn Kelly's Golden Goodies giveaways and to have the opportunity to share the world's most brilliant gem with her entire studio audience! Each person received a pair of 1-carat diamond equivalent weight Forever One moissanite stud earrings.
Check out the audience’s reaction below:
If you’re still swooning over Meghan Markle’s engagement ring or if you’ve fallen in love with Princess Eugenie’s unique sparkler, you aren’t the only one! While these princesses are getting ready for their big day, we’ve been reflecting on royal engagement rings of the present and the past. We love their beautiful rings, but the price tags (experts are pricing Markle’s ring at a jaw-dropping $350,000!) are fit for a royal budget. Our experts have picked out 7 of our most princess-worthy, eco-friendly engagement rings that will fit any budget.
1. This three-stone option is guaranteed to shine more brilliantly than Markle’s stunner.
Today we announced our newest Forever One shapes available on our website: hearts, marquises and trillions. These long sought-after shapes are the perfect centerpiece or accent for your dream ring! Stay tuned for an in-depth look at each of these cuts and find out which one is the perfect choice for you. After all, there are a trillion reasons why moissanite is the key to her heart.
You’ve gotten engaged! Congratulations! Now that you have the fiancé(e) and the ring, what do you do next? Check out our list of the 7 things you MUST do right after you get engaged.
1. Take some time to celebrate with your new fiancé(e). You two just made a lifelong commitment to one another, enjoy it. This is a once in a lifetime moment. You will be spending the next several months (or more) planning the wedding of your dreams, so take a little time to celebrate your relationship at this particular moment in time.
2. Take pictures. When you’re caught up in the moment, sometimes you forget to stop and capture it. This is something you will want to remember for the rest of your life, so take a picture (or 20!) and commemorate it. Even if you don’t share them with anyone, 50 years from now you can look back on them and relive the proposal. Oh, and don’t
Today, the princess cut is one of the most popular cuts for engagement rings. It’s angular shape and multitude of facets make it the perfect choice for any piece of fine jewelry. If you’re getting ready to pop the question or if you’re looking to make a fine jewelry purchase, you’ve probably seen the array of gemstone shapes available. Read this blog to get to know the princess cut and why it’s in such high demand.
When the name “princess cut” was introduced in the 1960’s, it was connected with another type of cut designed by Arpad Nagy called the “profile” cut. The profile cut was fashioned with 58 facets and appeared much flatter than the modern princess cut.
Throughout the 1970’s, there were several variations on square
If you're thinking about proposing, you're in the right place. You got the girl, now it's time to ring shop. And ladies, don't be afraid to show him what you like, that will help guide him in picking out the perfect ring.
Feeling confident enough to start shopping?
You’ve found the love of your life and now you need to find an engagement ring she’ll love too!
Choosing the right ring can be a daunting task, but we’ve pulled together a few of our best-selling engagement rings to help steer you in the right direction. It’s no shock that our Forever One Round Moissanite Six Prong Solitaire is at number 1, since it is a timeless, classic beauty, but there are some more unique engagement ring designs that are popping up in the Top 5. Read on to learn about Charles & Colvard's most popular engagement rings featuring stunning moissanite in various styles.
Don’t forget ladies, it’s okay to give your man a little nudge as to what you like!
If you’re looking for something unique, radiant cuts are the perfect choice. In 1977, Henry Grossbard developed the radiant cut by combining the elegant “step-cut” used for emeralds with the “brilliant cut” used for rounds.
With its facets and an elongated shape, radiant cuts have revolutionized the jewelry industry’s view of square and rectangular cut stones. Because of the faceting required for a square or rectangular stone, they lacked the brilliance and fire of the oval or pear. It would take extraordinary craftsmanship and years of experimentation before
Your gemstone’s sparkle, or brilliance, is an optical property affected by its brilliance refractive index or BRI. When talking about brilliance in gemstones, we are referring to the light refracting in the interior of the stone, not the light reflecting off its surface. Brilliance is one of three terms used to describe the appearance of a gemstone as it reflects light. The other two are fire and luster. You can read more about a gemstone’s fire in this blog post.
The refractive index of gemstones is determined by directing light into the gemstone and then measuring the speed light reflects or refracts off its facets. The numerical result is
When light hits your gemstone and reflects, you see a sparkle and a prism of colors. These colors are known as fire. The gemological term for this is dispersion.
A gemstone’s fire is determined by a gemological property called dispersion. When pure white light enters a non-opaque object such as a gemstone, it breaks into different wavelengths of light that are refracted by its internal facets. These spectral colors are the rainbow-like effect you see when you look at a gemstone.
Yes, indirectly, a gemstone’s fire does affect the price of the stone because it shows the viewer how well the stone is cut. When properly cut, a gemstone will emit maximum fire and brilliance. If the stone is cut too shallow or deep, light will leak
When you purchase a piece of fine jewelry, you expect it to last a lifetime. And, it should. We’ve been in the gemstone business for more than 20 years and we’ve asked our resident expert Don O’Connell, chief operating officer and senior vice president of supply chain, to provide some helpful tips on how to take care of your fine jewelry.
Fine jewelry, especially engagement and wedding rings, are designed for everyday wear. Moissanite, for example is measured at 9.25 on the MOHs hardness scale, which means it will resist scratching and daily wear and tear. In comparison, the hardest mineral on earth, diamond, is measured at a 10 on the MOHs hardness scale. Some gemstones, like emeralds and sapphires, are more susceptible to damage, while certain metals are softer than others.
Like softer gemstones, certain malleable
Mother’s Day can mean a lot of things to different people. For many, it is a special day of celebration, reflection and appreciation for the women who have loved and sacrificed for us throughout our lives. Don’t forget Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 14th! To help you find the perfect gift for your wife, mother or grandmother this Mother’s Day, we have put together a list that will help you get started.
Selecting the best Mother’s Day gift for your wife can seem daunting. You want to give her something unique, yet personal, that shows her how much you appreciate everything she does. Below you will find three gift ideas that are sure to wow her.
Treat her to a day at the spa. Set up a playdate for the kids and let her enjoy some much-needed relaxation.
Finding the perfect piece of jewelry is hard enough, but needing to factor in a jewelry allergy makes it even more difficult. Previously, we identified the symptoms associated with common metals that can cause skin irritation. In this post, we outline common jewelry metals to avoid if you have sensitive skin and tips to help solve irritating jewelry problems.
Jewelry Materials To Avoid with Sensitive Skin
If you are looking for the best replacement for diamond (diamond substitute), then moissanite is the answer to your quest. This gem has more brilliance and fire than lab-created diamonds and natural diamonds. It also has more clarity, beauty, and durability than cubic zirconia.
Moissanite, unlike fake gems, is an actual precious stone. When it comes to the best diamond substitute, moissanite jewelry is the only answer. A lab-grown precious gem, it provides the beauty and sparkle you want out of all your fine jewelry without the hefty price tag of natural diamonds.
One of the reasons moissanite is used as a diamond substitute is because of its brilliant sparkle
Charles & Colvard is the original creator of moissanite, the world’s most brilliant gem with a brilliance refractive index at 2.65-2.69 and a fire dispersion of 0.104. Forever One moissanite is a lab-created gem, meaning it’s both environmentally and socially responsible. Have you ever wondered how this beautiful gemstone is manufactured? If you want to know more, keep on reading.
To create moissanite, scientists spent decades researching and developing an innovative process that would elicit brilliant, unique gems. The creation process is lengthy, complicate and expensive, which means the output for each gem is limited – it takes two to three months just to create a single gem! Our manufacturing process and many years of experience make us today’s leading source and global distributer of created moissanite.
Moissanite (\ˈmȯisənˌīt\): the name given to a naturally occurring and lab-grown mineral made up of silicon carbide. It’s unique chemical structure elicits an unrivaled fire and brilliance and makes it one of the most durable gemstones available today.
Moissanite is a rare, naturally occurring mineral made up of silicon carbide. It was first discovered in a meteorite crater in Arizona by Nobel Prize winning chemist Dr. Henri Moissan. Moissan spent years trying to recreate moissanite in a laboratory, but was unsuccessful. Scientists spent two centuries researching and developing his techniques, and in the late 1990’s they had a breakthrough. Using innovative thermal growing processes, scientists in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina grew silicon carbide crystals in a laboratory. These processes allowed Charles & Co
When you invest in a piece of fine jewelry, you expect it will be durable enough to stand up to everyday wear and tear. Though lab-created moissanite is not as hard as a diamond, it does have a hardness of 9.25 on the MOHs scale, meaning it will withstand the daily rigors your jewelry will endure. This makes it harder than any other white gemstone used in jewelry making. For more information about the durability of Forever One moissanite, keep reading below.
Is moissanite resistant to scratching?
When you’re rocking a new piece of jewelry, you want to be it will last a lifetime. Unfortunately, gemstones you want to wear every day demand a certain level of hardness and resistance to scratching. Whether it’s a new pair of studs or a unique engagement ring, your jewelry always carries the risk of encountering an abrasive surface.
Fake diamonds and diamond alternatives are neither fake diamonds nor diamond alternatives, rather, they are each their own unique gemstone. In the jewelry industry, the “diamond standard” reigns supreme, but other gemstones such as Forever One moissanite, white sapphires and white topaz are becoming more and more popular. Some buy them because, yes, they can be a diamond alternative – but each gemstone has their own characteristics that make them special, just like the person wearing them.
Forever One moissanite is a lab-grown colorless gemstone made from silicon carbide. Its gemological properties include more fire and brilliance than any other gemstone (including diamonds!) and coming in second only to diamonds on the MOHS hardness scale. Its excellent toughness ensures its ability to endure every day wear and tear. Yes, moissanite’s appearance
When you think of a white gemstone, what is the first thing that pops into your mind? Is it a diamond? While diamonds have been a popular choice for engagement rings since the early 1900’s, alternative gemstones have been gaining a lot of ground. Diamond alternative stones can include white sapphire and colorless Forever One moissanite – two beautiful options that share similar properties to a diamond.
Let’s start with the basics. All white sapphires are corundums – which means they belong to the same family as rubies and blue sapphires. Sapphires are aluminum oxides, which means that just a few trace elements within the sapphires chemical structure are responsible for the coloring of each stone. White sapphires can range from blue to colorless, and just about everything in between.
What better way to show your love than with our new Forever One™ moissanite hearts & arrows gemstones? One of the most proportionally ideal cuts, our hearts & arrows moissanite is now available. It’s 58 facets are cut with the utmost precision by our master gemcutters, resulting in eight symmetrical hearts & arrows. Love is perfect symmetry, so we made a cut that showcases it.
The hearts & arrows cut has become a fan favorite, despite its origins as an “accidental discovery.” In the 1980s in Japan, Kinsaku Yamashita noticed the hearts & arrows pattern in a gemstone. A decade later, the love for this new cut migrated to the United States and we’ve been refining it ever since.
This gem’s extraordinary visual effect is achieved through a precise cutting process which showcases its unique symmetry and angles. When you view this gemstone through a special gemstone viewer from the top (the crown), it will reveal eight symmetrical arrows. Additionall
When you buy an engagement ring, you’re looking for the perfect ring – one that not only shines brighter and delivers the greatest wow factor for your partner, but gives you the most value for your money. When The Today Show’s Jeff Rossen placed a diamond and moissanite side-by-side, most people failed to tell the difference, yet moissanite costs a fraction of what a diamond does. Read more to find out all the ways you can save big on jewelry – without sacrificing quality.
Diamonds are white gemstones that have a sparkle and beauty that have made them a sought-after luxury jewelry item both for their beauty and their rarity. Comparatively,
The decision between modern beauty and old-fashioned tradition drives many fine jewelry purchases. When making such a decision, it's crucial to have a complete understanding of the facts related to each type of gem you're considering. We hope we can help you bridge the gap to a more informed purchase that you'll cherish for a lifetime.
We often get the question, “Is moissanite a diamond?” The answer is no. Moissanite is a rare, naturally occurring mineral also known as silicon carbide. Named after Nobel Prize-winning chemist Dr. Henri Moissan, moissanite was first discovered in 1893 at the site of a massive meteorite strike in Arizona. Scientists in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina later developed the thermal growing process that creates silicon carbide crystals, which are fashioned into moissanite gemstones. More information about moissanite remarkable qualities read our post, What Is
Are you looking for a Valentine’s Day gift for the one you love? Check our gift guide below for some of the best Valentine’s Day gifts for her.
Featured Jewelry: Forever One Round Moissanite Shared Prong Trellis Band, starting at $359; Forever One Round Moissanite, starting at $179; Forever One Round Moissanite Peek A Boo Drop Earrings, starting at $499; Forever One
Out with the old, in with the new! This year is all about multifunctional simple designs. Dressed up or down, our new fashion rings, statement bracelets, hoop earrings and delicate necklaces will go with any outfit.
Featured Jewelry: Forever One Round Moissanite Station Necklace, starting at $439; Forever One Round Moissanite Split Shank Bezel Set Fashion Ring, starting at $229; Forever One Round Moissanite Bypass Cuff Bracelet, starting at $499; Forever One Round Moissanite Open Bypass Fashion Ring, starting at $229; Forever One Round Moissanite Hoop Earring, starting at $999
What pieces will you be rocking in 2017? Tell us about it on Twitter, Facebook or send us a pic on Instagram
Are you interested in making jewelry with moissanite, but want to know more about working with it? Today, we are kicking off our eight-part series of guidelines for working with moissanite with a few tips on repairs, sizing and re-tipping.
As one of the hottest eco-friendly, lab-created stones on the market, moissanite is forging its own path in the jewelry industry. If you’re looking to bring more value to your business by offering this socially responsible stone, these guidelines will ensure your moissanite will be the best product possible for your customers.
Moissanite is extremely stable material. You can complete general repairs and sizing with colorless,
Shine bright this winter with moissanite! Check out our 2017 winter lookbook for the hottest trends and styles of the season.
Featured Jewelry: Stackable Twist Band, $199; Milgrain Stackable Band, $569; Beaded Stackable Band, $269; Drop Halo Necklace, starting at $1,299;Three Prong Martini Studs, starting at $469; J-Hoop Earrings, $489; Bezel Set Five Stone Necklace, $149; Four Prong Tennis Bracelet, $3,279
Main Image Ring: Forever One Round Moissanite Double Band Geometric Ring, starting at $799
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