A Faux Best Friend; Left Gasping by Diamond Prices and Morals? Moissanite May Be a Sparkly Buddget Option.
Excerpt from Washington Post
January 23, 2002
Edition: F, Section: Style, Page: C12
Author: Christina Ianzito
Continental Jewelers on Connecticut Avenue has a glass case displaying a pretty engagement ring. Its white-gold setting is studded with three pale, glittering jewels. You’d never guess it, but those little rocks aren’t diamonds. They’re moissanite, says storeowner Jim Gianforte — man-made stones from a North Carolina company called Charles & Colvard. Because they’re not the Real Thing, the ring costs $1,150 rather than $8,500.
Charles & Colvard CEO, Robert Thomas explains that his company hopes to attract the pragmatic women out there, “the sophisticated people who understand what jewelry is, who are starting to think, ‘Wait a minute. I can have a beautiful engagement ring and spend $2,000 rather than $20,000, and we can spend that $18,000 on a down payment for a house.’” Or on a new car, a few weeks in Tuscany, a favorite charity or a trip around the world.
Copyright 2002 The Washington Post