Home & Lifestyle Autumn 2018

HANDMADE JEWELLERY

Biron Laboratory Grown Diamonds are grown in highly controlled laboratory conditions that simulate the natural growing process which occurred deep within the Earth’s mantle. The result is a diamond that is physically, optically and chemically identical to a natural or mined diamond. As it is grown in a controlled environment, every stage of the development can be controlled and manipulated, allowing the Lab to determine size, clarity and even the colour (to an extent) of the finished stone. Part of the growing process involves adding impurities into the growth chamber, like Nitrogen or Boron, both of these are also found in mined diamonds. An advantage of Laboratory Grown Diamonds is the speed of creation. We have all heard the saying “a diamond is a million years in creation” however, using the latest technology we have brought this down to just 3 weeks. Laboratory Diamonds were first created in December 1954 when Tracy Hall, working for General Electric Research Laboratory on their “Project Super- pressure,” produced the first commercially successful synthesis of diamond that awarded him with a $10 savings bond. This was using the High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) growth method, which today is still used for mainly industrial diamonds as well as gem quality up to, generally, 5pt finished in size. Today we embrace the CVD or Chemical Vapour Deposition method for all Biron Laboratory Grown Diamonds, where the diamond is grown from a hydrocarbon gas mixture on top of diamond seeds. The advantages of this method of diamond growth is the ability to grow on top of the diamond seed regardless of seed size, controlling the speed of growth, and controlling the chemical impurities added into the diamond to produce the colour and clarity required. Due to the formation of the diamond and the shape of the rough produced (which is almost identical every time), there is no difference in price between rounds and fancy shapes as you find in natural diamonds. Biron Laboratory Grown Diamonds vs Diamond Simulants Diamond simulants such as Cubic Zirconia and Moissanite’s may look similar to diamonds, but that’s where it ends. They do not have the same chemical and physical properties, meaning that the reflective index is different and the hardness is different. These stones are designed to give the consumer a cheaper alternative to a diamond, however, both are relatively easy to distinguish from diamonds. A Biron Lab Grown Diamond is simply a diamond that has been grown in a laboratory; it will test as a diamond on a traditional diamond probe. Even using the latest probes you are testing to see if it’s a created diamond by testing to see if it’s a Type IIA diamond (as all created diamonds will test as Type IIA). In nature Type IIA diamonds are very rare and also colourless or near colourless warranting a premium price. • Same physical and chemical properties as natural mined diamonds • Approximately half the price of a natural diamond • Boxed with a security seal and certification for peace of mind • Laser inscribed and certified

Watermelon Tourmaline

With its juicy burst of colour, the appropriately named watermelon

tourmaline perfectly mimics the rind and flesh of our favourite summer fruit. The watermelon tourmaline is a relatively durable

stone for jewellery and is used for Octobers birthstone aswell

as being the 8th wedding anniversay gemstone.

Citrine

Citrine belongs to the very large family of quartz gemstones.

It can be found in just about every shape imaginable, including pears, squares, trilliants, rounds, ovals, cushions and heart shapes.

Citrine is used as November birthstone and it is the official 13th wedding anniversary gemstone.

314 West Street, Umina 2257 02 4341 2223 | 0422 635 439 david@seasprayjewellery.com.au www.seasprayjewellery.com.au