tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108087655751141148.post4252597397055669571..comments2008-06-01T08:43:06.698-07:00Righteous (re)Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809228969166263679noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108087655751141148.post-49520893856562051422008-06-01T08:43:06.698-07:002008-06-01T08:43:06.698-07:00Marissa - oh yes, the gaudiness of the Russians! I swear, I can spot a Russian tourist within 15 feet. No wonder the country is going to total sh*t - diamond encrusted Mercedes do not a stable economy make.Righteous (re)Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809228969166263679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108087655751141148.post-30080439478027758442008-06-01T08:14:33.057-07:002008-06-01T08:14:33.057-07:00Agree about vintage jewels. They are always so much more unique looking anyway.<BR/><BR/>Now, onto your heritage! Russians are so awesomely gaudy. <A HREF="http://blross.typepad.com/luxury_clues/2007/11/a-diamond-encru.html" REL="nofollow">Diamond-encrusted Mercedes, anyone</A>? Ahh, I miss Moscow and all of its eccentric millionaires throwing fairs!Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11700026735495447094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108087655751141148.post-89414105078436140582008-05-30T10:13:02.083-07:002008-05-30T10:13:02.083-07:00It's true: Moissanite can be tinted green. I've heard it can go a bit yellowish sometimes, too. I'm never able to tell the difference, but then again, I just get distracted by the sparkly. ;)<BR/><BR/>I see your point about vintage items not sucking up resources at all, but I feel like lab-grown gems are a good alternative for those who want something wholly new and personal. Sure, you can re-set a vintage diamond if you don't dig the original setting ... but that'll take up resources, too, since most jewelers won't melt down/re-use old gold. So if someone wants a custom piece, a lab gem setting may have a similar environmental impact to rejiggering a vintage piece.Salhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05316749500678318719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108087655751141148.post-62730004599695026952008-05-30T09:05:56.069-07:002008-05-30T09:05:56.069-07:00Sal - <BR/><BR/>I was really excited about Moissanite a few years ago when it was first introduced. The only thing that I don't like about it is that when Moissanite reflects light, it often has a greenish tinge, while real diamonds have the full spectrum of colors, which makes them so beautiful. Plus, from the ENVIRONMENTAL perspective, buying vintage saves all kinds of resources apart from the social issues that we have been talking about reading about.<BR/><BR/>Wendy - LOVE your blog, btw. And I don't disagree with you - we don't know what kind of conditions vintage diamonds were mined under. However, we do know that they were not such a hot commodity until the 1950s or so (the DeBeers marketing campaign was initiated in the late 30s), and that was mostly in the US. So, I think we can assume that since the demand was fairly low, they were probably not causing much commotion (outside of the general environmental impacts of artisanal mining). Also, buying used or vintage is better from the environmental perspective in that no new resources are expended to create the piece.Righteous (re)Stylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809228969166263679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108087655751141148.post-64400212382048366812008-05-30T08:23:45.626-07:002008-05-30T08:23:45.626-07:00Lab-grown gems are a great option for those of us wary of diamonds, both new and vintage. My dear friend and superfab jewelry designer Karin Jacobson has a wedding line that utilizes Palladium and Moissanite. Neither material puts people or natural resources at risk, and the designs are MARVELLOUS!<BR/><BR/>Rings here: http://superkarin.com/weddingrings.php<BR/><BR/>Info on the materials used here:<BR/>http://superkarin.com/palladium-moissanite-wedding-rings.phpSalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05316749500678318719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108087655751141148.post-59771401955134898532008-05-30T06:06:08.475-07:002008-05-30T06:06:08.475-07:00Those are beautiful vintage pieces and I also agree with you about buying vintage diamonds. Another site you may want to look at if you are in the market for diamonds is www.idonowidont.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108087655751141148.post-2793613888556429582008-05-29T23:05:34.883-07:002008-05-29T23:05:34.883-07:00I certainly agree that with vintage diamonds you don't fuel any new wars, but they certainly might have come directly out of the old ones. Basically you're operating on the "ignorance is bliss" principle with that. I do think people should be more informed about what wars are actually ONGOING, as I find many people think wars that have been over for years are current events.WendyBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00985099019783464580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108087655751141148.post-76985460395185852942008-05-29T19:02:05.807-07:002008-05-29T19:02:05.807-07:00You certainly did find gorgeous estate jewelry. <BR/><BR/>Unfortunately, limited size and design availability coupled with the costs means that going with an estate piece isn't an option for many people.<BR/><BR/>C5 company offers gorgeous, sustainable alternatives to the traditional jewelry industry. Jewelry is made from recycled metals and either lab-created or ethically sourced gems (depending on what the client wants). <BR/><BR/>We do custom work at all price points, so this is a great way to get exactly what you are looking for. We can even create sustainable replicas of your favorite jewelry. <BR/><BR/>Learn more at www.C5company.com.Meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10860608960414792218noreply@blogger.com