HOW TECHNOLOGY IS CHANGING THE JEWELLERY INDUSTRY

The jewellery industry is slowly adapting to technological advancements that have revolutionised other sectors. 3D printing, augmented reality and computer-aided design (CAD) are now an exciting reality.

Image courtesy: Evotech Pacific

The combination of computer-aided design (CAD) software and a 3D printer is becoming more and more mainstream. The benefits to designers are many and easy to spot – faster production times, easy corrections and amazing amount of detailing. This technology expands on modern 3D printing technology as well as traditional metal casting. The end result are pieces – far more versatile, complex and customised.

The whole process starts with a prospective buyer selecting one of several metal options (platinum? 18K white gold? Sterling Silver?), side stones (sapphire? aquamarine? emerald?) to enhance the centre stone of his or her choice. This means that the customer has literally hundreds of designs and combinations to choose from.

When we talk about the benefits of 3D printing in jewellery, it is clear that the cost and labor savings are phenomenal for both buyer and seller. Not to mention making clients a real part of the making of the pieces in real-time. For the first time, customers can participate at every stage of the design and creation of the jewellery they’ve chosen. Without a doubt, this makes the shopping experience more personal and exciting.

OUR CAD DESIGN PROCESS

We’ll begin your model using a reference picture, sketch, or simply from verbal and written descriptions of your idea – that’s all we need!

We’ll design your model using advanced 3-D design software. We have successfully earned the respect and trust of clients by producing sustainable, high-quality designs generated from high-end CAD software.

CAD model showcasing all measurements and materials needed for the project.

Finished product in real life video example

After completion of your CAD model grid we are also able to make photo-realistic image renders and videos of the computer-generated model for your approval. (Extra cost)

Realistic Render (Left), Real Life Product Shot (Right)

So what are you waiting for? Get in touch with us and let's start your Custom Creation today, we are here to guide you every step of the way.

IS A LAB DIAMOND WORTH THE MONEY?

Some despise it, others will vouch for it.

Are laboratory-grown diamonds the more ethical choice to say 'I do'?

Image Courtesy: Frank Darling

Are lab diamonds worth it?

They’re worth what people are willing to pay. It’s no secret that the price per carat of lab created diamonds has been dropping, and fast. But like with any technological innovation—the more competitors enter the market and the more we learn about making these stunning stones—it’s only natural to see them get more affordable. At the same time, they’re also getting more available, more beautiful, and more varied.

Once about 20% less than the price of natural mined diamonds, today you can find lab diamonds for 40-50% less. Wallet already feeling better? We expect this trend to continue a bit before pricing stabilises, but lab created diamonds are definitely going to save you dollars for an identical outcome. Does that mean they’re a terrible investment? Are lab grown diamonds worth anything? Are we talking love story or stock purchase? But seriously, while the diamond market is relatively stable, unless you’re buying investment-grade fancy colour diamonds that will cost an arm-and-leg, no diamond is an investment.

Lab diamonds aren't real diamonds

Is ice real if it’s made in your freezer? Hello chilled rosé on a hot summer day. Same goes for lab grown diamonds. They’re au naturale, just made in a different way (by machines instead of mother Earth). Lab created diamonds are atomically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds. And you don’t have to take our word for it. In 2018, the FTC ruled, “A diamond is a diamond no matter whether it is grown in a lab or comes out of the ground.” Enough said. Still wondering if lab grown diamonds are real? Check out this easy to understand blog post on how lab diamonds are grown.

But they still cost so much?

Lab-grown diamonds are still real diamonds, and for that reason, contain an inherent value reflected in their cost. Second, they are expensive to cut. Diamonds are so hard, it requires specialised equipment and very well-trained cutters to produce a properly cut, beautiful diamond. They could also come with a grading report which affects the price - The IGI (International Gemological Institute) is internationally recognised for its precise diamond grading reports. An IGI Laboratory Grown Diamond Report provides the same information as an earth-grown diamond grading report (GIA) but makes it clear to the buyer that the diamond was lab-created.

You can't get lab grown diamonds appraised

A diamond is a diamond is a diamond, no? Just as some grading labs have started offering certification for lab created diamonds, jewellery appraisers will also appraise them—as they would any natural diamond—in line with their current market value. Yes, your appraisal will say “lab created” on it. That’s what it is. Just remember, an appraisal isn’t the value of your diamond, or what you paid for it. It’s meant to evaluate the cost of replacing it, for, you know, insurance purposes.

PS: There’s nothing worse than damaging or losing the symbol of your love to teach you this lesson. And as diamond values fluctuate, consider getting your diamond reappraised from time to time to make sure you’re not overpaying on your insurance.

Are lab created diamonds good?

As good as natural diamonds. It’s all about what’s going to get you the look you want, for the price you want to pay. Some people prefer to trade clarity and colour for provenance, others prefer to double down on carat. There’s no right or wrong answer here — only what’s right for you.

They have the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as mined diamonds and exhibit the same fire, scintillation, and sparkle. Lab grown diamonds offer an exceptional value when compared with the same quality rare, earth mined diamonds.

Are lab grown diamonds the same?

While we’d love it if all lab grown diamonds were D flawless, the reality is that’s not the case. Lab grown diamonds are not all the same. They’re grown, or formed in a way that is similar to how diamonds are formed in nature. That means inclusions and variations in colour are the name of the game.

Lab diamonds are bad for the environment too..

Hello, carbon footprint. We’re all trying to do a little better these days, and the diamond industry isn’t historically known for being super transparent—so it’s good to know what you’e getting into.

First thing’s first: Lab grown diamonds are made with electricity. Electricity is bad for the environment. Lab created diamonds use 250 million joules per carat. Seem like a lot? Mined diamonds use 538.5 million. But some lab diamonds, like Diamond Foundry’s, are grown with 100% renewable energy. If that’s important to you, just ask!

Beyond electricity, lab created diamonds consume significantly less water per carat than their mined counterparts—18 gallons vs. 126 gallons—and have startlingly lower carbon emissions. Bottom line, if you believe in global warming, there’s no better way to flaunt your support with choosing lab made options!

There is really no comparison in the environmental impact of lab diamonds vs. a brand new mined diamond. Tl;dr If you are eco-conscious, go lab.

Educational Video Courtesy: DW Planet A.

Overall, there is no right or wrong, but we do believe that informing the consumer of all options is in their best interest. Now that we have shared more knowledge the choice is yours to make.

At Paredes & Co. we believe our clients deserve the best and offer both worlds, judgement free. Contact us to get started on your bespoke piece today.

WHAT ARE ETHICALLY SOURCED AND CONFLICT FREE DIAMONDS?

When diamonds are mined, it goes through various stages before it arrives at the client. Diamonds go through the hands of numerous vendors, and there are a few diamonds that are dishonestly sourced and are not conflict free diamonds.

Ethically Sourced Diamonds

Ethically sourced diamonds have reasonable philanthropic mining rehearses regarding wages and conditions while sourcing for crude diamonds. So when we talk about ethical diamonds, we mean the mining and origin of the diamonds are not compromised. Although a diamond may be extracted ethically, the following phase of the diamond may be finished by individuals who lead a few changes and make it corrupt. This only lead to misleading deals. The diamonds found in the underground mines and the riverbeds are the perfect types of diamonds, and a purchaser ought to know about these things while purchasing diamonds.

Conflict Free Diamonds

Conflict free diamonds are mined in a space that are liberated from any illegal intimidation or dread related zones. It implies that the diamond should not be mined such that it hurt any people during the mining cycle.

It is also kept in mind that people will not make any terrible issues during the mining interaction. Therefore, when the diamond is mined appropriately, people who are neither tormented nor subjugated forcibly are known as conflict-free diamonds.

How people can sell unethical diamonds

More customers are advancing toward eco cordial choices, just as worrying about the moral acts of organisations they buy from. Numerous organisations selling earth mined diamonds guarantee to be without a struggle by taking cover behind the Kimberley Process.

The principal issue with the Kimberley Process is that the meaning of a conflicted diamond is excessively difficult. According to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), the conflicted diamond definition is a “harsh diamond mined in a space-constrained by radical powers whose deal is utilised to fund against government military activity.”

It is a quite certain warning. It doesn’t consider the mischief done towards the youngsters and grown-ups in mining networks that are compelled to work, compromised with savagery, and incapable of seeking after other economical methods for money.

What to do if a diamond is not ethically sourced

When discussing genuine or counterfeit diamonds, there are a few different ways to discover through the cut, the sparkle, the shading, and so on. But, be that as it may, what to do when the diamonds are not sourced ethically or in case they are not conflict free diamonds?

The Kimberley Process has been executed in the diamond industry worldwide to guarantee the diamonds and ensure they are without conflict. The Kimberley Process is a multilateral exchange system set up in 2003 fully intent on forestalling the progression of conflicted diamonds.

Educational Video Courtesy: DMCC Authority

Where to get sustainable diamonds that are both ethically sourced and conflict free

At Paredes & Co. you will get the best in diamonds. So whether it is your engagement or your wedding or some other extraordinary event you need a diamond for, you will get the greatest diamond in each viewpoint.

We keep to natural or lab diamonds, which are conflict free and ethically sourced. We guarantee the nature of the diamonds are not compromised, regardless of the number of hands the diamond goes through before arriving at the shopper.

We never compromise with the quality of diamonds, and accordingly, when you confide in them with your diamonds, you make certain to get the best quality.

Thank you for trusting us

So, now you understand that buying an ethically sourced and conflict free diamond is essential, as you are investing your valuable money in buying that diamond, and the feelings related to that gem would also be very special.

As we build this company from the ground up, your support and trust is everything.

Contact us to get started on your very own bespoke creation.