Red Box Diamonds
Accurate GradingGuaranteed Value
When you are ready to upgrade your Red Box Diamond®, we can help by offering a phenomenal Trade-Up Program. You can have confidence that the diamond you are purchasing will hold its value over time. When you are ready, you can trade in your Red Box Diamond® for a stone of greater value and receive a credit toward your new purchase of a Red Box Diamond®*. Ask your retailer for details.
Purchasing Your Dream
Whether you are purchasing a diamond engagement ring, an anniversary gift or a special reward of diamond jewelry, you deserve the best. Red Box Diamonds® offer you more than you imagined possible. Every purchase of a Red Box Diamond® is a brilliant choice.
A Guarantee Above All Others
Each Red Box Diamond® is a unique gift of nature, meant to be cherished for a lifetime. It is our responsibility and our desire that you be perfectly satisfied with your diamond purchase. If you are not satisfied, for any reason, return your diamond to your jeweler within their specified return policy guidelines, and your purchase will be refunded, no questions asked.
Free Loss Protection for One Year
To help ensure your purchase is properly protected, all Red Box Diamonds® come with free loss protection for one full year. This provides you with worldwide coverage against theft, loss, or mysterious disappearance. Free coverage of the Red Box Diamond® begins on the postmarked date of the registration form. There is no deductible.
In the event of a loss, simply return to your retailer for a replacement. This helps to guarantee that you will receive the same quality merchandise as you originally purchased.
Secure Identification
You can have peace of mind that the diamond you purchased is unique. Each Red Box Diamond® comes with the added security of a unique identifier. A laser-engraved number, matching the grading report, is etched on the girdle of the stone. This number allows for proof positive identification. Custom engraving is available. You can inscribe a secret message of love on your diamond for a nominal fee. Ask your retailer for details. *Red Box Diamond® benefits applies to most diamonds weighing 3/8 carat and larger. Stuller, Inc. reserves the right to modify or discontinue benefits at any time. Program benefits are not combinable with other offers.
The 4C’s of Diamonds
Fine diamonds are among the most coveted of all gems. Their value, however, differs widely from one diamond to another. Experts evaluate every diamond for rarity and beauty, using four primary guidelines. These are called The Four C's—Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight.
When you think of the cut, you probably think of the shape of the diamond. You are partially correct. While cut does refer to shape, it also refers to the proportions of how the diamond is actually cut.
Diamonds are cut into many different shapes, reflecting not only popular taste but the proportions and quality of the rough diamond. The most popular shapes include Round, Oval, Square, Princess, Emerald, Baquette, and Marquise cuts. Many specialty shapes are also available.
A diamond's overall proportions, as well as the size and placement of its many reflective surfaces or facets, also play a large part in "cut." The consistency and balance of these can greatly affect how the stone captures light and reflects it back to the eye.
Color
With the exception of some fancy colored diamonds, the most valuable diamonds are those with the least color. The color scale for transparent diamonds runs from D-F (colorless), G-J (near colorless), K-L (faint yellow), to Z (light yellow). Completely colorless diamonds are rare.
When diamonds are formed with traces of other minerals, rare and beautiful colors can result. These "fancy" colors range from blue to brilliant yellow to red, brown, pale green, pink, and violet. Because of their rarity, colored diamonds are highly desirable and may be quite valuable.
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W
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| Colorless | Near Colorless | Faint Yellow | Very Light Yellow | Light Yellow | Fancy | ||||||||||||||||||
Clarity
A diamond's clarity is measured by the existence, or absence, of visible flaws. Tiny surface blemishes or internal inclusions -- even those seen only under magnification with a jeweler's loupe -- can alter the brilliance of the diamond and, thus, effect its value. Clarity levels begin with Flawless (F & IF) and move down to Very Very Slight (VVS1 & 2), Very Slight (VS1 & 2), Slightly Included (SI1 & 2), and Included (I1, 2 & 3).
| FL, IF Diamonds | Flawless: No internal or external flaws Internally Flawless: No internal flaws |
| VVS1, VVS2 Diamonds | Very, Very Slightly Included: Very difficult to see inclusions under 10% magnification. |
| VS1, VS2 Diamonds | Very Slightly included: Inclusions are not typically visible to the unaided eye, |
| SI1, SI2 Diamonds | Slightly included: Inclusions are visible under 10× magnification and may be visible to the unaided eye. |
| I1, I2, I3 Diamonds | Included: Inclusions are visible with the unaided eye. |
The size of a diamond is measured, not by its dimensions, but by weight. One carat, the traditional unit of measure for diamonds, is equal to approximately 0.2 grams. You may also hear the weight of a diamond referred to in points. A point is equal to 1/100 of a carat; therefore, a 75-point diamond equals 0.75 carat. Diamonds of equal weight may appear slightly different in size, depending on their depth and proportions. Because they are quite rare, larger diamonds of gem quality are much more valuable.
Rarity & Beauty
All gem-quality diamonds are rare, taking billions of years for nature to form them. The journey from the mine to you is long and arduous. While the four C's information helps you to identify the quality of the diamond you are purchasing, it is the combination of these four characteristics which determine a diamond's rarity. If you imagine a four-sided pyramid, with each side being a diamond characteristic—the more readily available diamonds form the base of the pyramid while the rarest diamonds are at the top. Keep this pyramid in mind when you are selecting your diamond. Your selection of characteristics will determine rarity and value. And remember—beauty is in the eye of the beholder. A diamond can only be truly perfect if you think it is beautifully perfect for you.
Black Box Gemstones
Accurate Grading Each Black Box Gemstone® comes with a grading report from an independent lab or a comprehensive report from Stuller. We guarantee our reports provide accurate grading information. If you feel your Black Box Gemstone® with a Stuller report is not accurate, we will exchange or refund your purchase within 30 days from the date of purchase. At any time in the future, should the gemstone purchased be graded by any of the following independent gemological laboratories (GIA, AGTA or GRS) and the grade of the stone disputed, we will exchange or adjust the price of the Black Box Gemstone® in question. Free Loss Protection for One Year
To help ensure your purchase is properly protected, all Black Box Gemstones® come with free loss protection for one full year. This provides you with worldwide coverage against theft, loss, or mysterious disappearance. Free coverage of the Black Box Gemstone® begins on the postmarked date of the registration form. There is no deductible.
In the event of a loss, simply return to your retailer for a replacement. This helps to guarantee that you will receive the same quality merchandise as you originally purchased.
RarityThe various combinations of color, clarity, cut and carat weight are primary factors in determining the value of a gemstone.
Some other factors that impact rarity are the abundance of a particular gem type and the geographic location where it is mined. Several gemstones are more abundant and are more easily accessible than others. Many other gems are found in remote locations, which makes mining virtually impossible. The economic and political environments of the region where the gemstones are located may also limit the accessibility of some gems.
With all of these considerations, it is truly an amazing and often challenging journey from the mine to the jewelry store. The gem you have chosen is a treasure—rare, beautiful and valuable; just like you!
Each Black Box Gemstone® arrives in a handsome portfolio with a grading report. The report contains information about the size, shape and quality of your gem. Some reports include a brief history of your gem, any treatment information, along with care tips, to help you keep your stone beautiful in the years ahead. This information is provided so that you can better understand the rarity of the gem you are purchasing.
You can have peace of mind that the gemstone you purchased is unique. Each Black Box Gemstone® comes with the added security of a unique identifier. A laser-engraved number matching the grading report is etched on the girdle of the stone. This number allows for proof positive identification. To view, high-power magnification is required.
The 4 C's of GemstonesMuch like a diamond, the various combinations of a stone's cut, color, clarity, and carat weight, along with availability and accessibility, determine rarity. You will find a brief description of those features here. These explanations are based on the system for gemstone evaluation establised by the Gemological Institute of America. For more information on GIA, please visit www.gia.org.
ColorColor is typically the most important value-setting factor for gemstones. All gems have a preferred color or a relatively small range of preferred colors. The more the color varies from this range—lighter or darker, more vivid or less—the less valuable the stone.
Color is composed of three dimensions: hue, tone, and saturation.
- Hue refers to the impression of color usually noticed immediately, such as red, yellow or blue.
- Tone refers to the degree of lightness or darkness of an object.
- Saturation defines the degree of purity of a hue.
Cut refers to the shape or design of a stone, arrangement of facets, as well as the precision of the stone's proportions and finish. The cutting process reveals the beauty of a gem.
Gemstones are cut into shapes we are familiar with such as oval, emerald, pear, round, and marquise. In addition, they can be carved or fashioned into almost any design imaginable. Proportions involve the balance and appeal of the basic design. Finish refers to the detail of the workmanship. A well-proportioned cut with a fine finish will show a stone's optical properties to its fullest potential. When all other factors are even (color, clarity, and carat weight), a better-cut gem will be more valuable.
The size of a gemstone is measured, not by its dimensions, but by weight. One carat, the traditional unit of measurement for gemstones, is equal to approximately 0.2 grams. You may also hear the weight of a gemstone referred to in points. A point is equal to 1/100 of a carat; therefore a 75-point gemstone equals 0.75 carat.
Two different gemstones may have the same dimensions but different weights. This is due to the specific gravity or density of the gem mineral. This difference can help gemologists identify a gemstone.
Up to a certain point, the larger a stone is, the more rare it is and the higher the price it will command. For stones that commonly occur in larger sizes, the value may decrease if the gem reaches a size that makes it impractical for jewelry use.
Source: Gemological Institute of America
ClarityA gemstone's clarity grade is directly related to its rarity. Clarity refers to a gemstone’s relative freedom from clarity characteristics. Clarity characteristics include inclusions, which lie within the stone, or blemishes, which lie on the surface of a gem. The fewer clarity characteristics, the more rare the gemstone.
Each variety of gemstone has its own clarity standards. For example, Tanzanite is virtually inclusion-free, while Emerald almost always contains clarity characteristics. For this reason, Gemological Institute of America's grading system divides transparent colored gemstones into three clarity types. This allows gems to be more evenly evaluated as it takes into account the individual nature of each gemstone. Each type is further divided into five grading descriptions.
Clarity Types Type I gems are often virtually free of clarity characteristics. The stones most commonly seen in the market include:- Aquamarine
- Green Tourmaline
- Morganite
- Smoky Quartz
- Green Tourmaline
- Tanzanite
- Topaz – Blue
- Zircon – Blue
- Alexandrite
- Garnet
- Zircon – Green
- Amethyst
- Iolite
- Sapphire – all colors
- Zircon – Orange
- Ametrine
- Peridot
- Spinel - all colors
- Zircon - Red
- Citrine
- Ruby
- Tourmaline
- Zircon - Yellow
- Emerald
- Tourmaline – Watermelon
| Clarity Grades | Type I: Usually eye-clean with no clarity characteristics visible to the unaided eye. |
Type II: Typically shows some eye-visible clarity characteristics that do not detract from the overall beauty of the gem. |
Type III: Almost always contain eye-visible clarity characteristics. |
| Eye Clean | Appears clean to the unaided eye. | ||
| Slightly Included | Minute inclusions difficult to see with the unaided eye. | Noticeable inclusions apparent to the unaided eye. | |
| Moderately Included | Minor inclusions somewhat easy to see with the unaided eye. | Noticeable inclusions apparent to the unaided eye. | Obvious inclusions vert apparent to the unaided eye. |
| Heavily Included | Prominent inclusions that have a negative effect on appearance or durability. | ||
| Severely Included | Prominent inclusions that have a severe effect on appearance, durability, or both | ||
"Chatham does not make gemstones, we make environments in which crystals grow naturally."
You love Chatham's diamonds and gems, but you may have some questions. We'll try to answer these questions below:
Are Chatham gemstones real or imitation?
They're real. Our gemstones and diamonds are cultured just as many pearls “ natural components are placed in an environment created to duplicate nature's. Once the required combination of chemical and environmental factors is created, the crystals grow over the course of a year, the length of time depending on the gemstone. As a result, quality diamonds and gemstones are developed with identical physical, chemical, and optical properties to those found in nature.
Can I tell the difference between created gemstones and mined gemstones?
Unless you're a certified gemologist with a powerful microscope, you won't be able to tell the difference between created and mined gemstones. Every gemological laboratory in the world has reference samples of Chatham gemstones to aid in the separation. Chatham is at the forefront of full disclosure, contributing samples and updates whenever something new is released.
Why do Chatham gemstones and diamonds often look better than their mined counterparts?
Under laboratory conditions, computers control temperatures, while foreign materials found in the earth are eliminated from our starting chemicals. This makes our crystal growth more predictable and consistent. We strive for the best qualities and colors found in nature. Lower qualities are not released for sale.
Are there cost savings with Chatham gemstones?
Significantly! Price differences between Chatham created and natural gemstones of like quality are notable, sometimes as much as $100,000 per carat as in the case of colored diamonds.
Does Chatham offer a warranty?
Yes. Trust, integrity, and value are at the heart of Chatham and our products. For your peace of mind, we provide a lifetime warranty with your Certificate of Authenticity. Chatham will gladly repair or replace your gemstone at no charge if it should chip or break under ordinary circumstances, or any defect in the workmanship or materials become apparent*. If you question whether your damaged jewelry is covered under our warranty, return the damaged jewelry, along with the sales receipt, to the store where the item was purchased. Then, your Chatham retailer will expedite the item to Chatham for immediate servicing and, if a replacement gem is needed, consideration will be taken to honor the original size and weight.
Reasons to buy Chatham Created Gemstones
1. Commitment to the highest standard of quality and service.
2. Long term history of achievement and presence in the fine jewelry industry.
3. Identical chemical, optical, and physical to their mined counterparts.
4. The most beautiful gemstones at a fraction of the price of their natural counterpart.
5. Never treated, colors are permanent, and part of the growth process.
6. Chatham Created Gemstones are the only gemstones covered by a lifetime warranty.
Gilson Created Opal
The laboratory opal producing process, was first invented by Pierre Gilson, Sr. of France in 1974. This process produces a kaleidoscope of colors. From the rare and precious black opal, to crystal and white opaque opal. The Gilson formula is considered the truest gemological process in the world today. Considered by many gemologists to by the world's finest laboratory grown Opal. This process takes from 14 to 18 months,and the colors are natural with no treatment or enhancements. Unlike its natural counterpart, this created opal is much tougher and not prone to breaking. It gets it's hardness because it contains no water. Unlike natural opal which does contain water. The lack of water in Gilson opal has currently brought about debates and differences of opinion. Concerning the final classification of Gilson Opal. In any event. Natural Black Opal is exceedingly rare and expensive. With Created Black Opal cabochons, you can have all the sizes you need at an affordable price! The Gilson White opals are very nice too. These stones whether they are finally classed as Imitation or Synthetic. Are the best mimic to real opal we have seen. They are grown in similar conditions as to what might be found in nature and do have all of the elements but water. We think their beauty, toughness and heat resistance is a plus.