Dear Joe-

Our story may be typical of many couples these days where John and I met on line. We never expected to develop into anything more than companionship, but when it did, he proposed to me with my mother’s original engagement ring so that I could partake in the experience of choosing the perfect one.

Not knowing a lot about jewelry, I chose rings online from an unknown jeweler and we were married. The quality of the ring was far less than I had hoped.

I confided in my sister who knew of Schubach jewelers. Our visit to pick out a replacement ring was memorable. I walked in the door having the style of a ring in mind. The selection was so varied and unique. I tried on many but could not decide. Joe watched and said, “you keep going back to that one”. You know, he was right. That was the ring I ultimately chose and have been overjoyed with it. I chose a moissanite stone for the center. The sparkle is remarkable, and pairing it with diamonds makes the perfect setting. The overall quality of the ring surpassed my expectations. I find myself pausing throughout my day to look at my ring; I am so proud of it.

Thank you, Joe, for your professionalism, providing a quality piece of jewelry, and mostly, your attention to the client’s satisfaction.

Celeste T.

Celeste’s ring can be found here:

Gold may be one of the key elements of your jewelry box, but it’s much more than that. The gold market has vast economic implications both globally and politically. This great piece in JCK gives the reader an idea of the complexities of this precious metal:

Cool Facts About Gold:

• Gold has two sources of supply: mining and recycled gold.

• Mining gold has decreased of late owing to the fact that all the “easy gold” has been mined and exploration budgets to find more are going to be much more expensive. Even if a new find was discovered, it would take 5–10 years for that gold to reach the market.

• According to the WGC’s website, recycled gold ensures that there is “potential source of easily traded supply when needed.” As long as the metal is in a form that can be melted down, refined, and reused, it helps keep prices stable and avoid economic volatility. According to the WGC, recycled gold contributed an average 32 percent to annual supply flows between 2005 and 2009.

• Four components to gold demand: jewelry, investment, technology, and central banks.

• Between 400 and 500 tons of gold a year are in technology. Along with the uses I mentioned early, it is also employed extensively in dentistry, although Schraeder tells me that practice has dropped off slightly in recent years.

• There has been a shift in gold demand from the West to the East.

• China and India combine to make up 50 percent of the global demand for gold. The United States and the rest of North America make up just 13 percent of global demand.

• Women in India possess upward of 18,000 tons of gold—mainly because of India’s culture of giving gifts to women after marriage or during holidays like Diwali. To put that number is perspective, total U.S. holdings equal 8,133.5 tons.

Read more.

Hi Beth,
I wanted to thank you for all of your assistance in re-designing my ring! I absolutely love it! I have received a lot of compliments, even one person telling me it looks like a $10,000 ring. I can’t thank you and the jeweler enough.

Your team is great! J
Thank you,

We’ve heard it from our clients a lot over the years: their significant other gave them something a little…offbase for Valentine’s Day, when they really wanted jewelry. A toaster, a pair of gloves, French lessons….the list goes on. Most women would like jewelry. It means something to them; it symbolizes his feelings for her. Unfortunately this year, according to JCK Magazine, a substantial amount of women might be a little letdown:

Ranking second to jewelry were the other Valentine’s Day staples, flowers or chocolate, favored by 20 percent. Some 9 percent of women preferred perfume, and only 8 percent said the “latest technology product.”

Yet, despite this preference, another survey predicts that not every woman will receive the jewelry she wants on Feb. 14.

According to the American Express Spending & Saving Tracker, 29 percent of consumers are giving flowers for Valentine’s Day this year, with 19 percent giving gift cards, and only 15 percent giving jewelry.

Trust us on this one: even if you’re on a tight budget, our pendant necklaces are an “across the board” pleaser. Stylish and significant.

Style 10363 Key of Love Necklace “Key of Love” key necklace. For a larger view click here. Other sizes available, call for info

We have espoused the virtues of moissanite for years now. Not only is it superior diamond simulant, but its ecologically sound. The great news? Moissanite just got that much better. We should have these wonder gems in within the next month, so send us an email or check back for more news:

Charles & Colvard, Ltd., the sole manufacturer of created moissanite gemstones, has partnered with Serenity Technologies, Inc., a laboratory for gemstone enhancements, to create whiter and brighter gemstones. The company is introducing these enhanced gemstones as “FOREVER BRILLIANT™,” a new premier brand of Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite®.

Handpicked and polished moissanite is enhanced, through a proprietary process by Serenity Technologies, which can make each stone up to four color grades whiter on the Gemological Institute of America’s near-colorless spectrum.

“As a former jewelry retailer, I recognized the importance of being able to market a whiter gem and sought to provide one since joining Charles & Colvard,” says Randy N. McCullough, CEO of Charles & Colvard, Ltd.

“While moissanite can easily withstand very high temperatures and its covalent bonding, similar to diamond, allows it to withstand very high pressures, moissanite crystal does not respond to HPHT treatments in a fashion similar to Type IIa (virtually nitrogen-free) diamonds that can become near colorless after such treatments,” says Dr. Suneeta Neogi, president of Serenity Technologies, Inc.

“Serenity has developed a radically different proprietary process of whitening moissanite that greatly improves the color and brilliance of moissanite without any residual negative effects.”

Each “FOREVER BRILLIANT™” stone will be accompanied by a Charles & Colvard certification and laser inscribed on the girdle for easy identification.

 

Style 10365MS   Save 30% Now!! Round Moissanite Oval Cluster Design Necklace Oval cluster pendant with approximately 1 1/3ct t.w. (dia equiv) Charles and Colvard created round moissanite set on an 18″ cable chain. Available in 14kt white gold only. Sale! Save 30% on select items. Use coupon “Discount30” at checkout. (Discount will be calculated at checkout) While supplies last Trade Up Our Guarantee

MSRP: $2,255.00
Our Price: $1,899.00
Sale Price: $1,329.30

Hi Beth!

I wanted to say thank you very much!  I got the ring weds and it looked great.  I surprised her and asked her on Thursday!

I took her to disneyland thursday cause this was where we first hung out together, and when I first took her to the wishing well.  We got there mid afternoon, and went on a ride and walked around a little.  We made our way over to the wishing well, and said i happened to have a couple of quarters in my pocket.  We made are wishes, then I got down on one knee and asked her for her hand.

It was great!  Had dinner at Ruths Chris.  And am soo happy!

Thank you for all your help!

-B

CHARLES & COLVARD LAUNCHES ENHANCED FOREVER BRILLIANTTM MOISSANITE GEMSTONES AND ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH SERENITY TECHNOLOGIES

MORRISVILLE, N.C. – January 27, 2012 – Charles & Colvard, Ltd. (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CTHR), the sole manufacturer of created moissanite gemstones, The Most Brilliant Jewel in the World®, today announced that it has exclusively partnered with Serenity Technologies, Inc., one of the world’s notable laboratories for gemstone enhancements, to create moissanite gemstones with optical properties that are remarkably whiter and brighter than ever before. Charles & Colvard is introducing these enhanced gemstones as FOREVER BRILLIANTTM, a new premier brand of Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite®, available on its e-commerce site Moissanite.com and soon through its current distributors.

In creating the FOREVER BRILLIANTTM gemstone, Charles & Colvard hand selects and expertly polishes only the world’s finest moissanite. Then, through a proprietary process using extraordinary, cutting-edge twenty-first century technology, Serenity Technologies transforms each stone to a higher standard of the Gemological Institute of America’s near-colorless spectrum, up to four color grades whiter.
“As a former jewelry retailer, I recognized the importance of being able to market a whiter gem and sought to provide one since joining Charles & Colvard. Serenity Technologies provided the solution that best maintains the integrity of our moissanite gemstone and I’m excited to be able to bring FOREVER BRILLIANTTM gems to market, opening a whole new chapter for moissanite sales,” stated Randy N. McCullough, Chief Executive Officer of Charles & Colvard, Ltd. “Consumers around the globe will be astonished at the transformation of our gemstone that is up to four color grades whiter. I can’t imagine a better platform for launching new jewelry brands that provide an affordable luxury experience like no other.”
Dr. Suneeta Neogi, President of Serenity Technologies, Inc., commented, “While moissanite can easily withstand very high temperatures and its covalent bonding, similar to diamond, allows it to withstand very high pressures, moissanite crystal does not respond to HPHT treatments in a fashion similar to Type IIa (virtually nitrogen-free) diamonds that can become near colorless after such treatments. Serenity has developed a radically different proprietary process of whitening moissanite that greatly improves the color and brilliance of moissanite without any residual negative effects. This partnership between Charles & Colvard and Serenity brings the best opportunity for consumers worldwide to experience this exciting new product with confidence, knowing that it is brought to the market directly from the sole manufacturer of created moissanite gems.”
300 Perimeter Park Drive, Suite A Morrisville, North Carolina 27560 919.468.0399
Company Contact:
Timothy Krist
Chief Financial Officer
919.468.0399, ext. 295
tkrist@charlesandcolvard.com
Investor Relations:
Christopher Schreiber
Taglich Brothers, Inc.
Investor Relations Counsel
800.383.8464
cs@taglichbrothers.com
Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite®
Made of silicon carbide (SiC) and exhibiting overall properties that are close to that of diamonds but with nearly 2.5 times the fire of diamond, moissanite’s superior brilliance, luster, and optical properties rival even the highest quality diamonds. Created moissanite gemstones possess the quality, value, and resilience of fine diamonds while offering much more affordable price points. In partnership with Serenity Technologies, Charles & Colvard is bringing to the marketplace its exclusive trademarked brand of whiter moissanite gemstones – FOREVER BRILLIANTTM.
Limited Lifetime Warranty and Certificate of Authenticity
Charles & Colvard and Serenity Technologies are committed to ensuring the quality and longevity of FOREVER BRILLIANTTM gems. Each stone will be accompanied by a Charles & Colvard certification and laser inscribed on the girdle for easy identification. FOREVER BRILLIANTTM moissanite gemstones carry the same Limited Lifetime Warranty as all other Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite® gemstones for maintaining their optical property of brilliance.
The process developed by Serenity Technologies is the only color alteration process that is included under Charles & Colvard’s Limited Lifetime Warranty. Any other third-party alterations or treatments made to moissanite created gemstones are not supported by either Charles & Colvard or Serenity Technologies.
About Charles & Colvard, Ltd.
Charles & Colvard, Ltd., based in the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina, is the global sole source of moissanite, a unique, near-colorless created gemstone that is distinct from other gemstones and jewels based on its exceptional fire, brilliance, luster, durability, and rarity. Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite® is currently incorporated into fine jewelry sold through domestic and international retailers and other sales channels. Charles & Colvard, Ltd. is headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina, and its common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “CTHR.” For more information, please visit www.charlesandcolvard.com.
About Serenity Technologies, Inc.
Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Temecula, California, Serenity Technologies has focused on bringing new ideas and innovation to emerging technologies that have potential for large-scale application. Serenity’s strong portfolio of intellectual property and diversification strategies have helped develop innovative products having wide commercial application. These products cover a gamut of fields relating to color enhancement technologies for diamonds and other gem materials, protective treatment technologies for precious metals and alloys, nanocrystalline diamond coatings, hydro-oleophobic treatments for gems and jewelry, personalization and branding of jewelry articles, micro-marking of diamonds, revolutionary chemical-mechanical polishing technology for diamonds, analog archival, custom optics, and beam-based polishing, to name a few. For more information, please visit www.serenitytechnology.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements expressing expectations regarding our future and projections relating to products, sales, revenues, and earnings are typical of such statements and are made under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, representations, and contentions and are not historical facts and typically are identified by use of terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “continue,” and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently.
All forward-looking statements are subject to the risks and uncertainties inherent in predicting the future. You should be aware that although the forward-looking statements included herein represent management’s current judgment and expectations, our actual results may differ materially from those projected, stated, or implied in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors including, but not limited to, our dependence on consumer acceptance and growth of sales of our products; our dependence on third parties for the sales and marketing of our products to end consumers; dependence on a limited number of customers; our current customers’ potential perception of us as a competitor in the finished jewelry business; general economic and market conditions, including the current economic environment; dependence on Cree, Inc. as the current supplier of the raw material; intense competition in the worldwide jewelry industry; the financial condition of our major customers; risks of conducting business in foreign countries; the pricing of precious metals, which is beyond our control; our ability to protect our intellectual property; and possible adverse effects of governmental regulation and oversight, in addition to the other risks and uncertainties described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 and subsequent reports filed with the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur except as required by the federal securities laws, and you are urged to review and consider disclosures that we make in the reports that we file with the SEC that discuss other factors relevant to our business.
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We’re not one to toot our own horn but we just had to share this recent testimonial about our custom design work and what the process is like from the client’s point of view:

Initially I was very skeptical to make such a large purchase through an online retailer. My fiancé told me his budget and I “went to work.”

I wanted a custom ring and wanted to be sure I was working with the right team. I researched several online, (as well as brick and mortar), locations before stumbling across Schubach Jewelers. I was intrigued by their custom pieces and thought it was worth a look. I called and spoke with Beth and it took off from there!

She reassured me all along the way regarding my fears. Both Joe and Beth made me feel like my ring was the only custom project they were working on. Now that I have the ring, I couldn’t be happier!

Forget all your reservations about dealing with an online retailer for your special purchase – Schubach Jewelers is the way to go. I plan on having my matching wedding bands made there and all of my future jewelry pieces.

I truly feel like I was working with friends during this experience and recommend working with Joe and Beth to design your custom piece!

Thanks again Joe & Beth!!!!

– Gabriella D.

 

Want to see the entire process? Here’s Gabriella’s project page:

 

She was totally surprised and overwhelmed. Looks like I have an unlimited golf pass in my future. She can’t seem to walk by a mirror without stopping.

Thanks again.

P