The Diamond Report

What is a Lab-Grown Diamond? A synthetic diamond is known in the trade as a lab-grown diamond. Synthetic diamonds and natural diamonds have the same optical and physical properties. They both share the same chemical composition of one single element, carbon. The only difference is that one was grown in a laboratory while the other was grown in nature.  There are two known processes that are currently used to produce high-quality synthetic diamonds: • High-Pressure, High-Temperature (HPHT)- The synthetic diamonds crystals are formed under a controlled high-pressure and high-temperature condition. In the lab, the carbon atoms crystallize around a natural or synthetic seed crystal. Powdered carbon then causes a reaction for the synthetic stone to...

how we met May 2014, I moved into my New York City apartment with my college roommate, Anna, on St. Marks Place in the East Village. I had been working for a public accounting firm Marcum since September 2013, just 3 months after graduating Quinnipiac University with a BS in Accounting and an MBA. This was going to be great. Being single in the greatest city in the world with my best friend. I joined the Marcum Softball team to socialize with my co-workers and start making new friends. John was the coach of the softball team and at the...

Did you know that diamonds were formed approximately 90 miles below the surface in the Earth’s mantle 1 to 3 billion years ago as a result of extreme pressure and heat?  Diamonds rise through deep volcanic eruptions which then allows for their mining.  As result of this intense formation process, the majority of diamonds form with imperfections. Discovering a diamond without or with very little natural imperfections is rare and as such, are the most valuable. In the 1940s, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) created the 4 C’s grading system by outlining four criteria that quickly became the globally...

“How much should I spend on an engagement ring?”  Every persons situation is different.  I am sure you heard the old school methodology of ‘two-months’ salary’ – don’t get hung up on that.  Instead, start with understanding your future fiancés expectations and then coupling that with a number you are comfortable with spending.  Your lady is not looking to bankrupt you, but this is going to be the most important piece of jewelry she will ever own and will be wearing it every day.  The sentimental value will always outweigh the financial value as long as you design and select...