F A Q S
E T H I C A L C O N S I D E R A T I O N S
Social media platforms, online live sales, and perpetual store-sale advertisements have heightened their proliferation and use. Fundamentally, the intent is to capture a purchasing market that is unaware of the intricacies and safeguards accompanying a jewelry or diamond purchase. However, an intention to capture even more sophisticated markets have begun, through the channels of “influencer” advertisement and endorsement.
Scrupulous overseas suppliers and factory sources take advantage of this lack of retailer and purchaser education, as well as the lack of portable and accessible equipment, and the persistent attraction to questionably low costs.
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Q: IS AFFORDABLE ALWAYS BETTER?
A:
In diamonds, lower carat, color, clarity, and cut, with lower technical specifications mean a more attainable cost. In precious metals, a more commercial or less substantial make also mean a more attainable cost.
However, diamonds declared as natural or earth-mined, non-treated diamonds, which appear to be distinctively low in cost, must prompt a purchaser to probe.
The proliferation of Laboratory-grown (CVD/HPHT) and treated diamonds declared erroneously as natural or earth-mined, non-treated diamonds, has been strongly affirmed, by Gemological Journals, significant proponents in the industry, and factual validation.
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The erroneous declaration of laboratory-grown (CVD/HPHT) and treated diamonds as natural or earth-mined, untreated diamonds, does not benefit the purchasing market. It confuses a purchaser by affirming that natural, untreated diamonds can be acquired at great bargains—that there is a secret to the trade. This is not true, and there is none.
True natural diamond price is a highly published matter. Its value is constantly appreciating and its cost is controlled, which allows for very minimal retailer price differences. Bells and whistles, such as celebrity endorsement and different storylines as to diamond source, can lure a purchaser to believe the contrary. In the end, the purchaser is at a loss.
A:
To restrict pricing and healthy trade, laboratory-grown (CVD/HPHT) and treated diamonds are declared erroneously as natural or earth-mined, non-treated diamonds. Furthermore, stones with counterfeit Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Certificates and inflated specifications have inundated the market. These have been strongly affirmed, by Gemological Journals, significant proponents in the industry, and factual validation.
Q: WHAT IS THE ETHICAL DILEMMA IN THE DIAMOND AND JEWELRY INDUSTRY AT THE MOMENT?
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Q: WHEN I COME ACROSS AN EXTREMELY LOW PRICED DIAMOND OF SUBSTANTIAL CARAT AND HIGH QUALITY SPECIFICATIONS, WHAT MUST I ALWAYS REMEMBER?
A:
Natural diamonds are rare. According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), it takes the processing of 1 ton of ore to yield 0.30 carat of rough diamond material, and the diamond material extracted in our present time necessitated a formation of 1 to 3.3 billion years, under the extraordinary combination of pressure and temperature found only in specific ancient sections of landmasses existing for million years.
Gem-quality diamonds of higher clarity and color specifications are yet even rarer.
According to the same Institute, the determination of the viability of a mine and their operations are extremely dangerous and expensive. Expense is further expanded by changing policies, current events, and geographic happenings, to name a few.
Fundamentally, the natural origin, age, and rarity of diamonds, as well as the expense to mine them, are what dictates their value, cost-appreciation and unlimited acceptability in the market, through the years before and the years to come. Erroneously declared and undisclosed laboratory-grown diamonds hold no significant and comparable rarity and value, historically, and at the moment.
The question to be asked is, “Will a rare diamond formed in 1 to 3.3 billion years, under extraordinary conditions, from an expensive mining and processing operation, cost this low?”
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Q: DOES THE PROBLEM WITH THE DIAMOND INDUSTRY, APPLY TO GEMSTONES AND SOUTH SEA PEARLS?
A:
Yes. Sophisticated synthesis developments in gemstones continue to require developments in scientific testing. The same can be said with pearls. Some freshwater pearls inundating the market are cultured and treated to be indistinguishable from genuine south sea or saltwater pearls. These pearls must never be erroneously declared or priced as south sea or saltwater. It is always wise to be wary when price offers are too low.
Q: HOW DOES GLOBAL JEWELERS GUARD ITS CLIENTS AGAINST THIS PROLIFERATION?
A:
As serious and active proponents of client protection, ethical trade, and diamond value, the following protocols are in place:
We have maintained the same two channels of diamond supply and origin since 2006, with a complete restriction on new supply chains.
All diamonds, diamond inclusions, and diamond inscriptions are screened and meticulously examined in our premises by alumnae of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), using updated methods necessitated by newest developments in laboratory-grown diamonds.
*The antiquated diamond tester/selector tests only thermal conductivity and not natural crystal structure, hence is an improper way to display to the purchaser the legitimacy and exactness of diamond origin.
GIA Reports/Certificates and Diamond Laser Inscriptions also undergo thorough and technical impression checks, to ensure that:
All Reports/Certificates are non-counterfeit;
All laser inscriptions are confirmed valid based on definitive and fine features; and
All diamonds match the clarity and plots of the GIA Reports/Certificates that accompany them, to full exactness.
Most critically, Global Jewelers takes the protection and peace of clients seriously through attorney-drafted legal contracts. With full disclosures and guarantees, these contracts are further amplified and reconstructed in real time by our legal division, according to each unique service, product, or client requirement.
Q: ARE CVD LABORATORY-GROWN OR HPHT / TREATED DIAMONDS BAD?
A:
No. The continuing developments of diamond synthesis are welcomed by environmentally-conscious retailers and clientele.
However, the proper disclosure must always be made by an offeror. Disclosing CVD Laboratory-grown / HPHT / Treated Diamonds fully, to purchasers, is completely ethical.
Erroneously declared and undisclosed laboratory-grown diamonds hold no significant and comparable rarity and value, historically and at the moment. It is essential that
this be highlighted to a purchaser, when investment value is a significant priority to him or her.
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To accommodate environmentally-conscious clientele, we may accommodate limited transactions covering fully-disclosed and laser inscribed CVD Laboratory-grown / HPHT / Treated diamonds.
Q: AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHAT DO WE WISH TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE INDUSTRY?
A:
Industry Advocacy against fraud and thorough Purchaser Education is our contribution to a much respected, enduring, and beautiful industry. We take client protection and the sanctity of the industry very seriously.
