Sapphires – a rainbow of (ethical) options
10 September 2009
[Sapphires are a great alternative for consumers not wanting diamonds]
Sapphire, the September birthstone, was once believed to protect against envy. (Rubies, which are essentially red sapphires, were believed to attract and maintain love.)
Derived from the Greek word “sapphirus,” the word “sapphire” means blue, but the reality is that sapphires come in a whole spectrum of colors including yellow, pink, green and white. Next to diamonds, sapphires are the hardest gem stone making them ideal for engagement rings and every day wear. Though the white sapphires can be mistaken for diamonds, it is the vibrant colors that are attracting brides to be. (White sapphires lack the brilliance of the colored sapphires.)
Sources of sapphires are found virtually around the globe from the United States to Sri Lanka. In addition to fair-trade sapphires being available, so too are lab-grown sapphires, which are chemically and optically identical to their mined counterparts.
Fair-trade gems are those that are tracked from mine to market to ensure that they have been handled according to a set of protocols, which include environmental protection, fair labor practices, health and safety standards, and a tight chain of custody that reduces the possibility of treated gems being sold as natural.
Gems are often treated to be of a higher quality or color grade. When purchasing colored gems, be sure to find out if the stone you are considering has been treated. Natural stones are more rare and therefore more valuable.
Green diamonds?
5 December 2008
We received an inquiry asking about the existence of green diamonds. Since it is the first time we have ever been asked this, we thought we would pass along the answer to everyone…
“Lab-created diamonds are available in a full spectrum of colors including shades of blue, yellow, pink, peach and as of recent, green. The green is more of a peridot (lime) color. They are being produced by one of our suppliers in Russia. The company we purchase most of our lab-diamonds through is based in the United States, but the closest they have to green is more of an aqua color.
Lab-created diamonds and gems are the most sustainable option available. There is no social impact of the stones and the environmental impact is minimal and drastically less than the environmental impact of mining. Lab-diamonds are produced in a machine the size of a washing machine and require as much energy as a hair dryer. There is no waste involved in the process.”
Alternatives to diamonds
14 November 2008
As consumers learn about the social and environmental implications of mined diamonds, they increasingly look for alternatives that they feel better about purchasing and wearing. Some consumers are boycotting diamonds altogether preferring other precious gems such as emeralds, rubies and sapphires. However, there are others who want the look of a white diamond, while not having to compromise their values. This is especially true when it comes to engagement rings.
Here are three alternatives concerned consumers should consider:
- White Sapphires – Though sapphires lack the brilliance of diamonds, white sapphires are a great option for accent and side stones. In sizes less than a half-carat, they are nearly identical looking to diamonds.
- Moissanite – Not only are moissanites far less expensive than diamonds, but they are far more brilliant too. The only downside is that they sometimes have a slight yellow or greenish tint dectable when next to a white diamond.
- Lab-created Diamonds – Lab diamonds are optically, chemically and physically identical to mined diamonds, but without the social or environmental impact. They are similar in price to mined diamonds, but availability is limited.
C5 company carries ethically sourced diamonds, lab-created diamonds, moissanite and white sapphires as well as a range of gem alternatives.
Rare gem available through C5
5 November 2008
Conscious consumers searching for an alternative to traditionally mined diamonds should consider Zultanite, a rare gem found in Turkey.
Zultanite is a unique color changing gem that will turn from sage green to champagne to pale raspberry in different lighting. This exquisite stone has a higer refraction index than a diamond (.048 compared to .044) and is hard enough (7.0 on Mohs scale) for everyday wear.
In addition to being durable and exquisite, Zultanite is recovered using only environmentally safe mining techniques. The Zultanite company claims to be having a very positive economic impact on the lives of the miners and the surrounding community in rural Turkey. As an example, miners are provided housing and meals as part of their employment.

Custom cocktail ring featuring a snowflake cut zultanite (more than 2 cts.) surrounded by pink and blue lab-created sapphires
C5 is one of less than 40 retailers in the United States carrying Zultanite. The gem has been very well received by our custom clients as it is an excellent pairing of beauty and sustainability.
Contact us to learn more about Zultanite and our custom design services.
Bigger, better diamonds…coming soon.
29 October 2008
Since the mid-1800’s, scientists have been working to develop lab-created diamonds. In the 1950’s, General Electric was the first to produce man-made* diamonds. The diamonds produced had wonderful applications in technology for cutting, electrical insulation and heat conductivity. However, the ability to produce white (colorless), gem quality diamonds of a size that meets the demand for engagement rings has been slow to evolve to the point where it makes economic sense to produce them in mass quantities.
A new article out on LiveScience.com indicates that this may no longer be the case. It may be soon that lab-created diamonds, produced by a process called chemical vapor deposition (CVD), will be readily available.
Click here to read the full article that appeared on Yahoo and MSNBC.
C5 company has created custom jewelry using colorless, lab-created diamonds of exceptional quality. As the global supply has been very minimal to date, we have used both HPHT (high pressure, high temperature) and CVD (chemical vapor deposition) diamonds, depending on what was available. The processes to create diamonds are different, but both result in brilliant diamonds that are not marked by the severe negative and social issues associated with their mined counterparts.
For more information on the history of man-made diamonds, we recommend The Diamond Makers by Robert M. Hazen.
* Lab-created, man-made and synthetic are synonymous with regard to diamonds. However, there are companies that produce fake diamonds and refer to them as synthetic stones. Price is usually a good indicator of whether or not it is a real diamond.
Rising stars in sustainable jewelry
27 October 2008
There are hundreds of jewerly designers in the United States, but only a handful are creating jewelry that as sustainable as it is beautiful.
The C5 jewelry boutique now features pieces by:
- Lori Bonn
- Kimarie Burnette
- Jennifer Dawes
- Gary Ptak
Each of these designers, plus Alberto Parada whose pieces will be added this week, align with the mission of C5. They prove that as conscious consumers, you don’t have to sacrifice beauty for social and environmental responsibility.
Whether fair-trade in Bali or hand-crafted in the United States, the jewelry featured on the C5 boutique doesn’t carry the negative impact associated with most fine jewelry on the market.
For more information about these designers, please visit the Designers page of the boutique.
More options in sustainable fine jewelry
1 October 2008
C5 company is pleased to announce that we have expanded the options of gorgeous, ready-to-wear, sustainable jewelry available through the C5 jewelry boutique.
The boutique now features select pieces from The Conscience Collection by Gary Ptak.
The Conscience Collection is made in the United States and combines brilliant, lab-created diamonds and gems with recycled gold, platinum and palladium.
This collection elegantly combines sustainable innovations with the luxury you expect in fine jewelry. The pieces show off diamonds in a stunning range of yellows, pinks and blues as well as rubies, emeralds, and all colors of sapphires.
Offering The Conscience Collection is just another way that C5 allows you to wear your commitment with jewelry you can feel good about. Gary Ptak has set a new standard for the jewelry industry with the launch of this impressive line.
Check out The Conscience Collection at http://stores.c5jewelryboutique.com/StoreFront.bok.


