Let’s BLOG about it!
M O R E ! ?
There is already so much to consider when choosing a Diamond.
I know -it’s a lot - but we will break it down for you at Northwood Jewelers and be your biggest asset when purchasing the perfect diamond! Have a Seat with us in person and we will take our time onE- on - one to help!
Let’s learn about some of the differences between Natural Earth Mined Diamonds and Man Made/Laboratory
Grown Diamonds.
It is always important to know who to trust when it comes to selecting the perfect diamond that you have all options available to you - because essentially YOU are the one who is choosing. There is a Type of R O M A N C E that comes with selecting the perfect diamond - and the one YOU choose is in the eye of the beholder. Like we will Mention in the Do’s and Dont’s of buying an Engagement Ring below, DO NOT just go merely off price or the information that is on a Diamond Certificate.
Even though a specific Diamond Certification may tell you the diamond is SI1-2 clarity and G-H in color in comparison to another - what diamond is more beautiful to you. There are many labs including GIA, EGL and IGI that may call a diamond a specific grade, but it is the way it calls to you. Set aside the paperwork and use your judgement along with discretion for pricing.
Use the Grading as a starting point - But do not get stuck on it.
Diamond has visual symmetry, Polish, Depth, and factors such as fluorescence that determine color variation. Where are those characteristics, what are they- wisps, clouds, pinpoints, surface graining. Can a characteristic be hidden by a prong so the feather is close to the girdle of the diamond? The layout is so important!
But What about the Diamond - It is near impossible to know if a Diamond is Natural Earth Mined or Lab by just the Naked Eye…. That is where we come in for a little more assistance.
Developed in the 1950’s
HPHT or High Pressure High Temperature was the first method developed for diamond synthesis! The process begins by a carbon starting material-usually graphite (a mined material) , a mixture of metals called a metal flux, and a small diamond seed.
Heated to 1,300º to 1,600º C and pressed to pressures up to 59,200 atm. The makeup of the metal flux varies. The dissolved carbon source can then pass through the molten metal mixture to crystallize around the diamond seed, forming a lab-grown diamond. The HPHT process can take from hours to weeks, depending on the desired size and quality of the stones.
Later another process, CVD or Chemical Vapor Deposition that is now most popular. The CVD process begins by filling a chamber with a mixture of gasses,
Next, a substrate is added to the chamber, usually a thin sliver of diamond seed, although graphite can also be used. The chamber is then heated to temperatures of 800º to 900º C, using microwaves, lasers, or a hot filament. The energy from the heat source causes the carbon to precipitate out of the gaseous mixture and stick to the substrate, which begins to crystalize into a diamond. CVD process must be paused frequently, so they can remove any graphite that crystalizes around the diamond. CVD can take from days and weeks, depending on the desired size and quality of the stones. However, dozens of stones can be grown at the same time. Later the CVD diamonds can be perfected further with additional treatments.
Lab-grown fancy-colored diamonds, whether produced via HPHT or CVD, are much more affordable than their natural counterparts. (information provided by: Lab-Grown Diamond Production Methods - International Gem Society)
In comparison with Quality the more perfected Diamonds are CVD Lab Grown Diamonds, HPHT can throw more of a gray tone. Many do favor Man Made or Lab grown diamonds for price and others prefer them because they understand them to be more “eco-friendly” than the mined diamonds. In many studies the carbon footprints are similar.
Earth Mined diamonds have the possibility of a Lifetime Upgrade program.
This means any earth mined diamonds purchased from Northwood Jewelers ever will have a 100% return value when upgrading! When you bring the original diamond in, no matter if it was a recent purchase or bought 20+ years ago, you will get the exact amount of money back you put down towards the entire value towards a bigger and better diamond!
Northwood Jewelers will give a fair market value trade with Lab diamonds but over time there is a possibility of them depreciating because they can be made over and over again with no rarity to them to keep their original value like an earth mined diamond.
So if you are like many, and you want your love to be symbolized by a Diamond, which one would you choose?
Does the prices it was made matter to you? It may or may not but that is why it is so important that we want it to be
YOUR CHOICE!
Natural Earth Mined Diamonds Vs Laboratory Grown Diamonds
Ask yourself - What is your deciding factor? Price, Rarity or Preference?
It Doesn’t even matter what we think - It is your decision! -We are just here to help guide to to make the right choice for your Budget, Commitment and future options!
Do’s
DO Your Investigating - We are here to help you to find the perfect price and ring! Our Rings in store are flexible for pricing inquire today Text or Call ahead of time before a visit (419)691-6352
DO Utilize your experts in store. Northwood Jewelers sales associates have gone through educational courses such as GIA (*Gemological Institute of America) and seminars to learn all there is to know about how diamonds are formed and all of their characteristics and what makes them the price they are. Let us help break down what the costs are of todays market diamond. You really do get what you pay for! You cannot put a price on the correct education you will receive with your quality purchase.
DON’T buy a diamond based off just the diamond grading report. Some reports are much more accurate than others when compared to GIA and EGL. Sound like another language? Stop in we will explain the difference.
Please DO!
DO create a relationship with your jeweler. Take a seat, let’s chat-you will begin to feel more comfortable and less overwhelmed, be sure the jewelry store is for you too. Local? Close to home, easy to contact? Will they go the extra mile? Of course we will….look at our reviews!
Plan ahead! - If you want, schedule an appointment with us - Your time is valuable let us give you our full attention!
DO ask what type of services come with your purchase/after the sale! From Northwood Jewelers you will receive 1) Options for 0% financing for your purchase. We will configure your monthly payments before you buy 2) Insurance education is important, we want you to be covered after that beautiful rings leaves our store. When purchased from Northwood Jewelers we supply you with a FREE $75.00 value Appraisal for Retail Replacement Value to take to your insurance agent. 3) We offer Lifetime Jewelry Care Plans. Jewelry repair exists because jewelry can break-This should not be a shocker.
PLEASE DO purchase a Care Plan! Boo boo's happen and they can be pricey. Our Care Plan is the BEST Out There -NO PENALTY care plans for LIFE with no out of pocket expenses. Lifetime repairs, cleanings, check-ups, one free sizing, rhodium dipping for white gold rings etc. Want to learn more about our amazing care plans? Visit our information page on our website.
Purchasing your Diamond Engagement Ring from us? Be sure we are your one stop shop. Our Men's wedding band selection is SUPURB! The possibilities are endless.
Don’t
DON’T go out one day and decide out of nowhere you’re going to buy an engagement ring! This item is expensive and you want to view all of your options. Put your 007 shades on and get an idea of what she likes-INVESTIGATE! Pay Attention and Take Notes. If you are not sure how…Amanda at Northwood Jewelers- She ask has many tricks up her sleeve to help you! Narrow down the options and it will take a huge weight off your shoulders.
DON’T be afraid to ask "stupid" questions! OMG… I hear this all the time and the questions are not stupid at all. My most recent "stupid" question was "What is the difference between silver and gold silver?" What my customer meant was-What is the difference between Sterling Silver 925 and White Gold. SO MUCHHHH! Sterling Silver is a very soft metal and very low in cost. Sterling was known to be costume jewelry for many years in the jewelry industry because of its lack of wear-ability. Sterling Tarnishes quickly, it can dent and pit. White gold naturally comes out of the earth yellow, so there are alloys added to white gold to make that color. White gold is so much stronger when compared to Sterling Silver and it is a higher price range as well depending on the percentage of gold within the piece i.e.: 14K, 10K, 18K gold.
DON’T panic if you don't know her/his size OR if you have absolutely no idea what to get that special someone! Most customers come into the store knowing they want to ask the person they love to spend the rest of their life with them-----then there is choosing the ring and the correct size?!?!? Breathe! Wrong size-we will size it. No problem and get it done ASAP- If you don't pick the correct ring we will exchange it for you. That is our Northwood True Love Guarantee! No One else does that.
DON’T BREAK THE BANK! Save, budget and ask for that interest free financing. DON’T skimp on quality because of price. At Northwood Jewelers we will meet you in the middle. We will find you a quality piece of jewelry at a fair price. Again we will remind you-you get what you pay for.
DON’T Stress! Take it easy, follow this guide and it will be smooth sailing from here on out. We hope to see you soon.
