Etsy designers and moissanite enthusiasts Kristin Coffin, Heidi Gibson, and Konstanze of Nodeform recently paid us a visit here at Charles & Colvard® HQ in Morrisville, NC. They were nice enough to chat with us about the inspiration for their unique designs and what attracted them to moissanite in the first place. They also discuss why their clients are fans of moissanite, from the price point to the beauty of the gemstone to its eco-friendly and conflict-free status.
Gemstones and jewelry have been a source of fascination since pre-history, variously intertwined with deities, royalty, magic, pirate booty, and rappers’ teeth. They’ve also generated a mountain of scientific analysis which seeks to define and quantify why and how they are so desirable. In the last century or so a highly complex system of quantitative comparison has been devised – Refractive Index, Mohs Scale, Luster, Fire Dispersion and the like, all geared towards establishing quality and value. This is especially useful when comparing near-colorless gems such as moissanite and diamond.
The chart below compares and contrasts moissanite with diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds that have dappled the pages of history and literature. In hardness, purity, fire and brilliance, moissanite more than holds its own – it dominates. And when one factors in the cost to acquire these gems and the jewelry that’s made from them, there’s simply no comparison.
Last month, one of our favorite independent jewelry designers, the wickedly talented Heidi Gibson, visited us here at Charles & Colvard® HQ. She was given a tour of our manufacturing area and received the opportunity of a lifetime: to pick her dream gemstone from our vault!
Below is her recap of the trip, plus a sneak peek at her upcoming design.
In April, I was given the opportunity, along with two other designers and four bloggers, to take the Willy Wonka tour of the magical Charles & Colvard® headquarters in Morrisville, North Carolina. I have worked with their Forever Brilliant® Moissanite for several years now, and was excited to get a behind the scenes peek at the production process.
Gents, if you’re worried about getting an alternative gem like moissanite in the engagement ring you’ll be presenting to your lady, jewelry designer Kristin Coffin is here to put your minds at ease. She’s heard every gemstone-related worry in the book. Here, she gives the lowdown on what women really want when it comes to engagement rings.
Hi there, gentlemen, this post is for you. A question I’m frequently asked concerns the pressure you feel to purchase a diamond engagement ring. You want to know if it’s really, truly okay to buy a ring with an alternative stone. Please know the pressure is felt subconsciously, ingrained through years of marketing. It’s likely not even coming from friends, family, or most importantly, your fiancee-to-be.
For over half a century, you’ve been conditioned through extremely effective advertising
Konstanze, owner and designer of jewelry line Nodeform, recently visited us here at Charles & Colvard® HQ. While she enjoys working with a variety of alternative gemstones, moissanite is definitely one of her favorites. Below she discusses what attracts her to this gem and why it makes a great choice for the eco-conscious and humanitarian jewelry buyer.
I absolutely adore moissanite. I enjoy working with it and designing jewelry to show off its true beauty. What’s not to love about moissanite? They are more affordable than diamonds, durable, and lasting for every day wear. They have the same or even better sparkle than a diamond and are ethically sourced and conflict-free. Plus, they are made in the USA and free of environmental issues.
I personally have never been a fan of the traditional white diamond ring. I just could not fathom spending that much money on a large diamond ring, or walking aro
