Stones used by GlamLuxe

💫 Welcome to our jewelry universe, where beauty meets affordability. 💥

Discover the history and beauty behind our choices of materials used in the creation of GlamLuxe jewelry. To offer you exclusive jewelry we have carefully selected the stones , considering value, preciousness and the greatest optical and technical proximity to diamond and other natural stones.

💎 Why not use traditional Diamonds and Gemstones?

We have decided to exclude diamonds and gemstones normally used in jewellery from our collection due to their excessive cost and lack of eco-friendliness . We recognise their timeless appeal, but we want to ensure that the beauty and elegance of jewellery is accessible to all, with an eye to the planet. This decision has inspired us to explore alternatives that combine beauty and accessibility , thus opening the doors to a new world of elegance . We have therefore created three distinct categories of jewellery reflecting our sensitivity to all budget ranges.

🔎 Below you will find the technical/scientific data sheets of the three categories of stones used, strictly in order of preciousness and commercial value.

🥇Moissanite

It has an Origin that dates back to the depths of the sky. Discovered in nature by Nobel Prize winner Henri Moissan in 1893, it is a synthetic gem born from sediments released by a meteorite that fell in Arizona 50,000 years ago. The first synthesis process, dating back to 1904 and subsequently improved, has led to a superior quality moissanite, superior in purity and brilliance compared to its natural counterpart.

Moissanite shines brightly, thanks to its exceptional hardness that is almost as hard as diamond. The hardness of a material, measured on the Mohs scale, reflects its hardness and resistance to scratches. It is a scale of measurement that ranges from 1 (very soft) to 10 (very hard). Moissanite, with a hardness of 9.5, is second only to diamond (10), giving it a diamond-like appearance that often fools even the most expert eyes. Confirmation of this reality lies in its reaction to the diamond tester . Given its incredible similarity to the most precious material on the planet, the diamond tester often reacts to moissanite as it would to a natural diamond . Moissanite can pass the test primarily because of its similar hardness, but with some key differences in thermal and optical properties. This is how these characteristics have contributed over time to this unique stone being sold as a fraud, in place of diamonds.

  • Lower thermal conductivity

It has a lower but very similar thermal conductivity than diamond. Diamond testers often measure the rate at which a material dissipates heat. Given this characteristic, the tester often interprets this behavior as a diamond-like characteristic.

  • Density difference

The molecular density is slightly higher than that of diamond. This difference can affect the response of the tester, which detects changes in thermal conductivity and density. It can therefore be interpreted as a denser material, similar to a diamond.

  • Dispersion of light

Moissanite has a higher light dispersion. Light dispersion is the ability to separate light into its component colors, creating a fiery effect. This characteristic can influence the tester's response, leading to a result that could be interpreted as a natural effect.

  • Fluorescence

Most show fluorescence in the presence of ultraviolet radiation. This can contribute to a positive reaction to the tester, since fluorescence is a characteristic that natural diamond can display.

The combination of these characteristics explains why moissanite, despite being a synthetic gem, can sometimes be mistakenly identified as a natural diamond . To confirm this reality, for many years the main international gemological institutes have provided Certifications with technical specifications such as color and clarity , exactly identical to those provided for natural diamonds. This series of characteristics contributes to making moissanite, at the forefront of technology, a sought-after choice for those seeking beauty without compromise, offering a light and hardness that can compete with diamonds but at a much more accessible cost .

🥈Synthetic Diamonds

In 1954 , researchers at General Electric, led by physical engineer Tracy Hall, wrote a landmark chapter in gemological history by introducing the first synthetic diamonds in the laboratory. This man-made gemstone was created through a chemical growth process called "High Pressure High Temperature" (HPHT), a methodology that seeks to replicate the natural conditions in which diamonds form in the Earth's mantle.

  • HPHT Growth Process

The HPHT process involves simulating the high pressures and temperatures that promote diamond formation. In a laboratory environment, researchers introduce highly pure carbon under extreme pressures of about 511.34 kg/cm² and at temperatures exceeding 1,400 degrees Celsius. These extraordinary conditions allow the carbon to crystallize , forming layers of diamond on a substrate of natural diamond or other material.

  • Purity Control

Synthetic diamonds boast a high degree of clarity , often superior to natural diamonds. This clarity comes from the ability to carefully control the growth conditions in the laboratory, minimizing inclusions and imperfections. The result is a stone with exceptional clarity , offering a crystalline surface without visible defects.

  • Variety and Personalization

A significant advantage of synthetic diamonds is the ability to obtain customized gems . Labs can control growth to produce diamonds with specific characteristics, such as cut, color, and clarity . This flexibility offers consumers a wide range of customized options to meet their individual preferences.

  • Environmental Sustainability

The use of synthetic diamonds in jewelry also highlights the sustainability aspect. Compared to traditional mining, creating diamonds in a laboratory reduces the environmental impact by eliminating the need to dig deep into the earth. This ethical perspective helps make synthetic diamonds an attractive choice for those seeking a more sustainable solution.

In conclusion, synthetic diamonds, produced with cutting-edge technologies, bring with them a history of innovation, accessibility and sustainability . Their presence in the jewelry market represents a significant evolution in the industry, offering alternatives that combine brilliance, quality control and environmental awareness.

🥉 Cubic Zirconia

We are talking about stones that have been undervalued for decades but brought to the height of fame by the great marketing operation that celebrated the success of Swarovski.

Beyond their brilliance, zirconia carries a fascinating history. Originally discovered in the 1930s , synthetic zirconia has taken the jewelry world by storm for its diamond-like appearance, providing a dazzling choice for those seeking uncompromising elegance.

The definition “cubic” owes its name to its crystalline structure (the way atoms or molecules are arranged within a solid material) which develops the zirconium and oxygen atoms in a cubic shape .

This type of structure gives cubic zirconia some of its properties, such as clarity and luster , which make it suitable as an alternative to diamonds in jewelry because of its ability to reflect light in a similar way to natural diamonds.

Cubic zirconia quality grading can include several categories, including "A", "AA", "AAA". In general, the closer to "AAA" , the better the stone. These letters indicate the quality in terms of clarity, cut, color and carat, the "4 Cs", the same ones used in the gemological evaluation of diamonds:

  • Clarity : When they are of high quality, they are free from inclusions or of such small dimensions that they are not visible to the naked eye.
  • Cut: Good workmanship and precise cutting can improve the luster and brilliance of the stone.
  • Color: They can vary in color, but high-quality ones often simulate colorless diamonds or desired colors without unwanted hues.
  • Carat (Carat): Carat refers to the weight of the stone. Larger stones may be considered more valuable, but overall quality is a crucial factor.

🏅 Colored Stones

When we refer to stones called “colored,” the production process often used is different than that used to produce synthetic diamonds. In general, the processes for producing synthetic colored gemstones are specific to each variety and aim to recreate the chemical and physical conditions necessary for the formation of natural gemstones of that particular type.

  • Emeralds - Flux Method

A common method for producing synthetic emeralds is the flux casting process. In this approach, molten materials known as "fluxes" are used that contain the chemical elements needed to form emeralds, such as beryllium oxide and chromium oxide for the green color . These fluxes are then cooled, allowing the synthetic emeralds to grow crystalline. These crystals are then cut and polished, providing a quality and brilliance similar to natural emeralds.

  • Rubies and Sapphires - Verneuil or “Flame Fusion” Method

For the production of synthetic rubies and sapphires, the method known as "flame fusion" is often used.

The Verneuil method, also known as "flame fusion", is a synthesis process used for both types of gemstones. The main difference lies in the chemicals used to create the molten material from which the gemstones grow. This manufacturing process, developed by the French chemist Auguste Verneuil in 1902, is still widely used for their production. The technique aims to replicate the growth conditions that occur in nature , producing rubies and sapphires with appearance, hardness and other characteristics similar to those found in mines.

Initially, a molten material is created containing the necessary chemical elements, aluminum and oxygen for sapphires and aluminum and chromium for rubies . This material is then poured onto a support. At this point, it begins to crystallize as it cools , forming a layer of crystals on the surface of the support. The resulting crystals are then extracted and can be cut and processed to obtain synthetic rubies and sapphires with the desired size and characteristics.

🏅 Tourmalines, Aquamarines and Topazes

  • Fusion Growth Method (Flame Fusion):

This method involves the fusion of base materials containing the chemical elements needed to form the various semi-precious stones in synthetic form. The molten material is poured onto a substrate, and as it cools, a crystalline layer of synthetic stone is formed that is very similar to the natural one.

  • Growth from Solution

An alternative to Flame Fusion, valid only for these two types of gems. In this approach, controlled environments are created with chemical solutions that encourage the growth of crystals. The crystals grow gradually over time, forming synthetic gems with a chemical composition so similar to that of natural stones that it requires a very trained eye to notice the differences.

💎 Conclusion

Every GlamLuxe jewel tells a story of innovation, beauty and accessibility . Our stones are chosen not only for their external appearance but also for their history , their origin and the meaning they carry. We invite you to discover the timeless allure of the gemstones that define our era, embracing an accessible luxury that does not compromise on quality or aesthetics.

🎁 Choose the future of beauty with GlamLuxe: where every jewel is an accessible work of art.