Lab Grown Diamonds and Moissanite

Valencia engagement ring with 1.9 carat round brilliant cut moissanite

Diamonds are forever is a slogan that has been a part of popular culture for decades. As the industry grows, learns, and becomes more aware of the ecological impact mining has on the earth, technology has brought many alternatives to mined diamonds.

Diamonds are coveted for lots of reasons though. They are very strong ( a 10 on the MOHs hardness scale) and they maintain their brilliance over time. They are neutral, versatile, and a lovely metaphor for a love that will transcend a lifetime. They’re often one of the first large purchases couples make, and are often passed down over generations.

Everyone has a choice, and our role in the process is to help provide you with the right information on what stone is the right option for you. Here are the basics on lab created stones and diamond alternatives.

Lab Grown Diamonds

Lab grown diamonds are diamonds that have been created in a laboratory. The process can vary, but usually starts with taking a slice of natural diamond and applying extremely high heat, pressure, and pure carbon. Over about a week the carbon solidifies under the heat and pressure, bonding to the slice, creating a beautiful diamond.

The only way that natural diamonds and lab created diamonds physically differ is by the way they were created. They maintain their strength, a 10 on the MOHs hardness scale, and even have variances in color and clarity. Each stone is still completely unique.

Moissanite

Moissanite is a natural form of silicon carbide that was first found in Canyon Diablo in 1883 by Charles Moisan. Most moissanite is lab created, and naturally occurring moissanite is rarely found outside of meteorite crash sites. A tiny piece of the cosmos! The process to grow a moissanite in a lab is similar to that of a diamond, by applying high pressure and temperature to a host slice and carbon.

Moissanite is a 9.25 on the MOHs hardness scale, the second strongest mineral, and they are more brilliant than diamonds. This is what makes them extra sparkly! Moissanite costs about a third of what a natural diamond of the same carat weight would cost, so it’s a great option to get a big, blingy look for a lower price.

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 If you have questions, you can find our contact information HERE. If you want to start creating your own creation, you can make an appointment with us HERE. 

5 COVID-19 Adaptations We Should Make Permanent with Emma Grace Brown

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives in many ways, but despite the challenges we’ve faced over the past few months, these changes have not all been negative. In fact, some of the changes we’ve made could even serve us well as we move forward.

Wondering how to make the most of the next phase of this pandemic? It starts with the following tips, brought to you by Ooh! Aah! Jewelry.

Finding Happiness at Home

The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us how to find happiness within our own homes and enjoy time to ourselves. Sometimes, you need to turn inwards and embrace solitude to feel content and commit to healthy habits, and this pandemic has prompted us to do just that. From working out at home to planning family game nights, there’s nothing stopping you from having fun while staying in.

If you want to ensure your home is a cozy, comfortable place in the coming months, it’s time to clear out any negative energy within your four walls. Your family might be feeling argumentative or critical, so to help relieve tension, take some time to deep clean and declutter each room. Opening your windows for a refreshing breeze is also a good idea!

Spending Time Outdoors

During this pandemic, we’ve had to head outdoors to socialize and change up our daily routines. We’ve gained a new appreciation for the beauty of the natural world. Plus, Everyday Health states that time outside improves mental clarity, lowers stress levels, and even helps with pain relief. This is a welcome lifestyle change that we should aim to continue. Make it a point to head outside every weekend!

Prioritizing Our Passions

This pandemic has prompted us to think about what’s most important and prioritize the things we truly care about, like learning new things, our major career goals, and keeping up with our loved ones. It has also taught us that we can never take our time for granted – our lives could change drastically in a matter of weeks. As we move forward, we should not forget these lessons.

Many people took the opportunity the pandemic brought to start a home-based business, and as NPR reports, entrepreneurialism is booming. If you’re pursuing your passion project, make sure you do it the right way. Consider forming a New Mexico LLC; LLC stands for limited liability company, and just like it sounds, it limits liability to your business in the event you’re sued. This way, you protect your personal assets.

Preparing for Emergencies

Finally, this pandemic has illustrated just how crucial it is to be prepared for emergencies. Basically, we’ve realized that we need to expect the unexpected! If you want to make sure your household is prepared for anything and everything in the future, keep thinking ahead. Good Housekeeping recommends stocking up on an emergency food supply and creating an action plan with your family. A little preparation can go a long way!

There’s no denying that the pandemic has had an impact on everyone. While you probably did not anticipate the events that would take place this year, some of these changes can be positive in the long-run. Even as we return to normal, we can take everything we’ve learned to heart.

Supporting Local Businesses

Throughout this pandemic, local businesses have struggled. But with support from their neighborhoods, they can continue to thrive in this tough economic climate. Committing to

spending money at local businesses instead of buying from large corporations is a great way to invest in your own community throughout the pandemic and beyond.

Ooh! Aah! Jewelry is a small woman-owned and -operated business that caters to everyone. They offer trending services, like custom engagement ring design and other jewelry tailored to your specifications. If you have not yet, please follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

A word from Ooh! Aah! Jewelry:

If it weren't for your loyal following, the early times of COVID would have hit us hard. Our customers were amazing! Social media and the website were incredible tools.

The way we have incorporate new best habits: we update our website regularly, we offer Zoom/Facetime appointments for those not ready to come in, we share product through text if people prefer, we ship, we wrap, we offer curbside pick up, and of course for those ready to come in we are masked, sanitized, checking temperatures etc and happy to help.

Read more from our friend Emma Grace Brown online at her website https://emmagracebrown.com/

Designing Your Dream Ring

Custom designed wedding set in 14 karat rose gold and rainbow moonstone with diamond accents.

We love love! We strive to keep a diverse selection of engagement rings and wedding bands in stock, but sometimes your dream ring has yet to be created.  We have curated our custom process to be as seamless and stress free as possible. If you are curious about our process, please continue reading.

The first step in designing a custom ring is to gather inspiration. This can be as simple as saving ideas from social media, or trying rings on in the shop. Our staff is trained to help find common design threads to establish a greater idea of what you like. 

The second step is solidifying a center stone option. We have stones in stock to choose from, and we can also help search to find the perfect stone for you. If you have your own stone, we can use that as well. 

As we narrow down the features of your dream ring, we will mock up designs on paper with pencil as a visual guide to help you further narrow down your design ideas. If we have already developed a firm design idea, we may not need to review hand sketches and we can go straight into the CAD process. 

Next, we move into the CAD (computer-aided design)  phase. CADs present a color image to scale using your stones in the setting you have designed. If the CAD isn’t quite right, we can always make changes. The CAD will also provide an exact price for your one-of-a-kind creation.

We do the first CAD for free, and if we need to make any changes we require a $200 deposit that goes toward the overall total of your ring. When reviewing the CAD, keep in mind that our jewelers use the CAD to print the wax mold which is used to cast the ring, so certain features may look exaggerated, like prongs, and the color may not be exact.  

Once you are satisfied with the design, we take half down on the total, and let our jewelers take it from there! In 3-5 weeks you will have a brand new, one of a kind creation. 

How long does custom take? 

From start to finish, custom takes anywhere from 3-8 weeks depending on the complexity of the design.

How much does custom cost?

We price each piece based on the materials that are used, meaning each custom piece has its own price. We don’t have a minimum for custom, so the world is your oyster! If there is a price you are trying to keep in mind, let us know so we can best guide you in your options.

Do you offer a warranty?

We do not provide any extended warranties. We will clean and inspect your ring for free as often as you want and offer affordable repair and upkeep options as well. We always recommend insuring your pieces, and can help provide you with appraisals of your gold pieces to help the insurance process. You can itemize pieces under home owner’s insurance or Jeweler’s Mutual, who we highly recommend. As a small business, our goal is to provide you with as many tools as possible to set you up for success.

Can I wear my ring 24/7?

We do not recommend wearing any jewelry 24/7. Depending on the type of ring you have, it will sustain more aggressive activities, but we do not recommend washing dishes, showering/bathing, bike riding, rock climbing, weight lifting, or wearing your ring during any activity that may put an excess of pressure on your ring. This may cause the stones in your ring to shift in their settings. No ring is indestructible, however with the right care and upkeep it can easily become an heirloom that you can cherish for decades to come. 

Can you design jewelry other than rings?

Yes! We also design customer necklace, earrings, and bracelets. The process is the same as the one above!