They Won't Leave in the Night: Diamonds Are ForNEVER!
Shirley Bassey sure said it best. They WON'T leave in the night unless they're stolen!
You can buy replicas of a lot of different things in all levels of quality, accuracy of appearance and performance. Some things never quite live up to the look of the original like, for instance, a replica of a Ferrari. And some replicas, like the faux Rolex Daytona, do not perform like the original. In both analogies, I feel nothing but the genuine will do. But not every replica item has shortcomings; some can be 100% identical to the genuine article in most all measurable ways.
Not to get too political in this forum, but I believe certain items I really don't need (or want) the authentic version of due to what I feel the item itself, the company marketing the item or the socio-enviro implications surrounding the item represent. The diamond is the perfect example of one of those items I cannot conscientiously purchase. But some replica items are much easier to live with financially and socially; often times in this cold, cruel world, that's a blessing.
This pictures says in French: "What price for those diamonds?"
http://www.iansa.org/issues/images/diamonds-price.jpg
I suggest a reading of this article by Edward Epstein that was published in The Atlantic; it's very well known and has been referenced by others and tells exactly how a very plentiful stone that can be easily chipped, shattered, discolored or burned got the aura that now surrounds it. The diamond mythos and advertising I have a problem with just on general principle but my concerns lie much more in the realm of human rights violations perpetrated for mere rocks. There really is no real way to be completely sure a diamond is conflict-free unless you saw it being mined and watched it until it hit Harry Winston. But thanks to science and technology you can be sure your bling hasn't really hurt a thing! ;)
Being a good hypocrite, I salivate over the one thing I simply can't bring myself to actually buy: a real diamond. I love that sparkle. I love that fire. I love that scintillation as the light hits it. It's truly a beautiful thing that really is a joy to simply look at and behold. Unfortunately, for DeBeers and N.W. Ayers, I don't think a diamond tells me how much I'm loved. Rocks can't do that. But I do think it's a nice gift for almost anyone. Not everybody wants a diamond but for those that do, I'm going to focus on what I feel may be the best choices.
Betterthandiamond.com's Cartier 1895 Engagement set in Palladium. Completely guilt-free:
http://www.betterthandiamond.com/ima...set_bigger.jpg
I like looking at the baubles, socially responsible baubles ;), online and came across this site called Betterthandiamond.com; I regularly read their forum to stay current with jewelry trends, enjoying the multitude of pictures and rings which are magnificent. The girls and guys over there know simulants, synthetics and cultured stones like the guys and girls here know crown guards and rehaut! And they are super friendly and helpful, just like everyone here. :) The site also sells many other cultured stones, including to-die-for Alexandrite, in addition to their Asha simulant. Mother Earth is weeping but not because she's being strip mined for jewelry. They're tears of joy because this is more environmentally sound!
I reached the Asha simulant site a long time ago while looking into something I heard about called "cultured diamonds" (more on them later). The site goes into greater detail than I can but essentially they are using high-quality cubic zirconias that have a layer of real diamond bonded into the upper substrate of the stone, giving the stone optical properties that are more in line with a real diamond, and depending on the quality of the real diamond, it can be better. The hardness is improved, the brilliance is improved and since the amorphous diamond is infused into the stone's top layers, the stone does not cloud like traditional a diamond simulant when exposed to water and air. I had no idea that plain old water and air is what caused this in CZs. Just washing your hands or breathing on the stone to shine it on your shirt can start the degradation process! The whole process they use on the Asha to prevent this has a patent pending and I really hope they get it.
The stones themselves look stunning and as close to gen as physically possible without being the real thing with the cost. Take a look:
http://www.betterthandiamond.com/ima...d_asha_med.jpg
The stones are sold loose or mounted in different settings before they are sent out to people.
But for those who have to have a real diamond for fear of offending someone unimportant you don't know who might care, there's two companies selling fancy colored diamonds that sell for less per carat than mined diamonds, and can never be called out, not in the traditional sense of that phrase anyway. The industry has coined the term 'cultured diamonds' for these stones. They are completely molecularly identical to mined diamonds; this means they have the same physical, optical and chemical properties as their natural counterparts. They cannot be told apart from their natural brethren, which worries the devil out of DeBeers. But the good news is they can also use these in the advancement of science.
Gemesis, using technology (DeBeers wanted the machines that could make diamonds to stay suppressed) gained from the Russia after the fall of Communism, makes diamonds. They are partnered with some of the best designers in the business. And they offer some pieces that are magnificent and most times no more expensive than a genuine Omega! Take a look:
http://www.renaissancediamonds.com/i.../L/400227L.jpg
And this:
http://www.renaissancediamonds.com/i.../L/415190L.jpg
Apollo Diamond also makes cultured diamonds and can do custom work as well. They are using a different technology than Gemesis to achieve their stones. And unlike Gemesis, Apollo uses their stones for industrial applications as well. They are very adamant about the technology being used not just for pretty bling but also for applications to advance science which is definitely conscious and benefits everybody. Their jewelry work looks like this:
https://www.shopapollo.com/ringart/larger/R36.jpg
And like this:
https://www.shopapollo.com/ringart/larger/R37.jpg
I would show pictures of the other side of their business but I can't get pics of their single crystal diamond wafers and diamonds they use for optoelectronics and nanotechnology. I have a feeling it would anticlimactic anyway. :rolleyes:
As an aside, a lot of the jewelry above is set in Palladium which is a noble white metal in the same family with platinum. Palladium offers all the benefits of platinum without the drawbacks, like cost. It is easier to mold than platinum because it has a specific density closer to that of gold, which means it is no where near as heavy as platinum (but you still get that feeling of 'heft' due to it's density being higher than stainless steel). For those who look to white gold for their platinum appearance needs, there is another great benefit to palladium over white gold: no yearly rhodium platings! Everyone knows that to keep white gold looking white it is plated with rhodium, coincidentally it is from the same family of metals that which platinum and Palladium belong and that is why white gold has a platinum-esque appearance. The problem with that is the rhodium rubs off very quickly over time and if you want the item to continue looking white, you must constantly get it replated. Palladium, which depending on the commodities markets, costs about the same as 18k gold at any given time is a natural, no-brainer choice for white precious metals. And it is being used everywhere now in jewelry and watches.
In regards to watches, Palladium was used for a line by Cartier recently (that completely sold out) and Ulysse Nardin; both companies plan to use the metal more and more. You get the heft associated with gold, the feel and look of platinum without the price and no one's the wiser. I believe that's apropos to repping in general! ;)
Here's the Cartier:
http://www.thewatchquote.com/mesIMG/imgStd/23084.jpg
Here's the Ulysse Nardin:
http://www.prestigetime.com/images/w...278-70-609.jpg
It doesn't take much to do your part to save the world, even in little ways like this! You have on replica clothes, carry a replica bag and wear a replica watch. I suppose a replica or cultured diamond is the next logical choice. I hope this is informative. Comments or questions are always welcome. :D
