Diamonds & Gemstones
Natural Diamonds Are Eons Old And Nature's Little Miracles
A diamond is the miraculous result of location, carbon, immense temperature, pressure and time. They form in the earth’s mantle a 100 miles below the surface and are pushed up to the surface by underground volcanic explosions as Igneous rock and most are over a billion years old. Diamonds have been prized by man for tens of thousands of years, first as engraving tools used by early man and as gemstones for more than 5000 years, and today is no exception.
In 2013 De Beers moved it main trading and sorting facilities from London to Gaborone, Botswana. De Beers is responding seriously to modern sentiments surrounding conflict-free diamonds, the floundering Kimberley Process Scheme and humanitarian atrocities (linked to African diamonds) by partnering with diamond mines in Botswana, Namibia, Southern Africa and Canada. These mines meet strictly monitored labor and environmental standards, and are having a truly positive effect on the local people and their economy. In Botswana, Namibia, and Southern Africa, diamond mines donate directly to schools and hospitals, buy local goods, and provide funding and training to help local people start their own businesses or get jobs. The DTC’s Canadian diamonds are sourced from mines that work with local Aboriginal people to make community investments. All and all changes to the diamond industry are finally happening in a positive, responsible and transparent way.
De Beers was historically involved in an array of controversial activities, however under its current ownership, it's diamond mines are among the most responsible mines in the world. DTC diamonds are mined in Botswana, Namibia, and Southern Africa, are mixed together during sorting, which currently prevents diamond consumers from knowing the exact location origin of each stone. The exception being Canadian government controlled diamonds bearing the CanadaMark inscription and/or a government issued certificate of Canadian origin.
At Laura Preshong all of our Diamonds comes from a socially and environmentally responsible origin. With the inception of the DTC partnership, there is very little risk of purchasing a conflict diamond, environmental mining impacts are diminished, workers are treated with respect and paid a fair wage, and local communities benefit socially and economically. By purchasing a Botswana DTC diamond you are helping to support economic development and positive humanitarian change in Botswana, Southern Africa and the Canadian Northwest Territories.
Diamond Grading Reports
In 1931 the GIA created and standardized an international grading system for describing diamonds for consumer confidence in diamond purchasing. The 4 C’s are used globally to describe Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight, but your grading report is also a map of the diamonds symmetry, spread, depth, proportion and polish. Since the inception of the GIA grading system other companies have followed suit such as EGL USA and AGS. View a GIA grading report using the link below.
GIA Grading Report
The 4 C's
Diamond Selection Tool and Purchase Advantages
Our Diamond Selection Tool is designed to help you easily select an ethically sourced Canadian or Botswana DTC diamond from 1/3 to 6+ carats. Every diamond purchased through Laura Preshong is laser inscribed with the grading certificate number for identification purposes, and comes with a one year replacement insurance policy against theft, loss or damage worldwide. We also offer a life-time diamond trade up program.
<p">Not sure which stone to purchase? Our trained in-house diamond concierge team regularly selects diamonds of every cut, size, and to suit any budget. Contact us at 617-236-7660 or at gallery@laurapreshong.com and let us assist with your diamond or gemstone purchase.
Sapphires
All of the sapphires and gemstones used in Laura Preshong jewelry are guaranteed to be ethically sourced natural gems. Our gemstone suppliers have all provided written certification showing that they comply with the U.S Patriot Act. In addition our main gem supplier provides experts from both of their U.S. and Bangkok offices who frequently visit their suppliers and cutters in order to make certain socially responsible practices are being followed in those locations.
The majority of our sapphires are mined in the country of Sri Lanka. Second only in hardness to the diamond, the sapphire is prized for it's richly saturated color, and is a wise choice for an engagement center stone because of its ability to resist scratching and chipping which can make other colored gemstones undesirable for daily wear. All of the genuine sapphires sold through Laura Preshong are of AA or AAA grade and are selected from the finest Sri Lanka sapphires available.
Sri Lanka is a small country located at the southern tip of India. Sapphires have been mined in Sri Lanka the same way for thousands of years, by artisanal miners who employ low impact mining practices that are today monitored by their government. The miners work in cooperatives that share expenses and profits, as well as ownership of the mine. The miners are treated fairly with concern for their safety and welfare, and are paid weekly for their labor. The Mines and Minerals Act of 1992 prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from mining gemstones in Sri Lanka.
Moissanite
Moissanite, originally discovered in 1893 in a meteor crater, is a very rare and scarce mineral that was originally thought to be a diamond deposit because of it's hardness, clarity and brilliance. Moissanite that is sold today is almost exclusively laboratory grown because of the scarcity and stone size of the natural occurring Moissanite deposits. Moissanite is an ethical center stone choice that is hard to visually distinguish from a natural diamond. The Moissanite sold at Laura Preshong is Charles and Colvard, selected for it's superior white color, excellent cut and brilliance.
