frequently asked questions
Lab-created gems
Mined gems
Custom jewelry services
C5 company
lab-created gems
Is there a difference between "human-made," "lab-created," and "cultured" gems?
In reference to gem stones, these terms are synonymous and all refer to stones that have been made above the earth's surface in a lab, as opposed to below the surface of the earth by nature. Human-made, lab-created and cultured diamonds are identical to those taken from the earth. Think of it this way, water frozen in the ice cube tray in your freezer turns into ice just as water on your roof in winter turns into ice. The ice in your freezer is identical to you the ice on your house.
What is the difference between lab-created diamonds and mined diamonds?
Lab-created diamonds are chemically, optically and physically the same as mined diamonds. On appearance, the only way that a highly trained jeweler would be able to tell the difference between lab-created and mined diamonds is in the clarity of the diamond. Nature cannot produce a flawless diamond. Sometimes, a jeweler can identify a diamond as lab-created simply by its lack of blemish.
Lab-created diamonds are guaranteed to be conflict-free and are not marked by the same negative social and environmental impact as their mined counterparts.
Do lab-created diamonds come in all shapes and colors?
Lab-created diamonds can be cut in any shape. Yellow and orange are the most common of colored human-made diamonds and pink and blue stones have recently hit the market. White diamonds continue to be a hard find, but are available. Colored lab-created diamonds currently offer the best value.
Are colored cultured gems naturally vibrant?
Yes, the color of a cultured diamond is natural to the process and therefore, the stones do not need to be treated in order to be vibrant. This differs from the process of mined diamonds where the stones are often treated for color enhancement after being mined.
Are cultured diamonds certified?
Typically, man-made diamonds that are .25 carat and larger are laser inscribed and will come with a certificate of authenticity.
What is the process by which human-made diamonds are created?
There are two different processes for creating diamonds: Chemical Vapor Disposition (CVD) and High Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT). Both processes result in a cultured diamonds that are chemically and structurally identical to a mined diamonds. The CVD method is less expensive and allows better control of impurities, but is a slow and tedious process. Few CVD diamonds are available for jewelry purposes whereas HPHT colored stones are taking an increasing percentage of the jewelry market.
Are cultured diamonds less expensive?
Cultured diamonds are typically less expensive than mined diamonds. When you take social and environmental impact into consideration, man-made diamonds are dramatically less costly. The colored stones are a particularly terrific value given the vibrancy of colors available.
Will cultivated diamonds retain their value?
Demand for lab-created diamonds currently outweighs the supply available. The process for producing these diamonds is time consuming and requires a great deal of specialization. Man-made are often immediately valued higher than purchase price and are projected to increase in value in the long-term. It has been projected that within a decade, man-made diamonds will capture 20% of the total jewelry diamond market.
What types of lab-created gems are available?
Though the technology of producing white lab-created diamonds is still evolving, rubies, emeralds, alexandrites and sapphires are all available and exquisite color. Lab-created sapphires come in a variety of colors beyond blue that are typically rare in nature such as yellow, orange, pink and Padparadscha, which is a deep coral color.
mined gems
Does C5 carry any mined gems?
Yes, C5 carries both ethically mined and lab-created gems. C5 will help you determine if man-made or mined is the best option for you. There are supply limitations for both ethically sourced and lab-created.
Why does C5 carry mined diamonds?
Because the definition of "socially responsible" is subjective to a person's values, C5 offers a variety of options for the conscientious consumer ranging from ethically mined diamonds to synthetic precious stones. We use only conflict-free diamonds and are participating in industry efforts to create standards around ethically sourced diamonds.
What is Zultanite?
Zultanite is an ethically sourced stone from Turkey. Since 2005, this stunning gem has been commercially available, though in small quantities. C5 is one of only 40 retailers in the United States that carry Zultanite.
Depending on the light source, Zultanite shifts from a kiwi green to a rhodolite purplish-pink. A khaki-green may be visible in daylight compared to cognac-pink in candle light. Canary flashes are noticeable under sunny skies, but a rich champagne color is seen under traditional indoor lighting. The magnificent color changes are clearly what make this stone so attractive for fine jewelry, but its other selling points are its rating of 7 on the Mohs scale and a refractive index of 1.70-1.75.
custom jewelry services
How can C5 ensure that I am happy with my purchase?
C5 is confident that you will be thrilled with your purchase. Our unique and proven process of assessing your needs, taste and vision upfront guides us in serving you. You will also have the opportunity to approve the jewelry at multiple stages in the production process. We invite our clients to see the design rendering, wax mold and blank setting.
Is there a different process for custom jewelry?
Custom design requires that we understand our clients to the greatest extend possible. The initial client briefing, the first step, serves as a compass to guide the process. Through meticulous communication and collaboration, the design phase can often be completed within a couple of weeks. The production phase which follows can typically be completed within four to eight weeks.
Can custom pieces be produced without meeting in person?
C5 has created beautiful custom pieces for clients from across the country. Whether we are able to meet in person or collaborate remotely, we always take a very personal approach. It is our goal to provide our clients with stunning, ethical jewelry that reflects their own personality and tastes.
What is the advantage of working with C5?
C5 has developed relationships with a variety of companies offering outstanding alternatives to traditionally mined diamonds and other precious gems. Access to the best that the market has to offer coupled with superb attention to the needs of our clients means that you will have an excellent buying experience.
c5 company
How can C5 help?
C5 provides two primary services to help you get the perfect piece of sustainable fine jewelry. We offer ready-to-wear mounted pieces through our online boutique and also specialize in designing one-of-a-kind custom pieces. The online boutique features collections by well-known jewelry designers committed to producing beautiful pieces that have minimal social and environmental impact.
Where does the name C5 come from?
Diamonds and precious gems are typically valued by the 4 C's: cut, carat, clarity, and color. C5 was founded on our belief that the social and environmental impact should also be a factor in determining the value of the stones and propose that consciousness be the 5th C. C5 stands for cut, carat, clarity, color AND consciousness.
In what ways is C5 a sustainable company?
We, at C5, are working hard to not only produce sustainable products, but also to operate our business in a sustainable way. All of our custom jewelry is made in the United States with recycled metals and either lab-created or ethically sourced gems. Our packaging is eco-friendly and made by a fair-trade certified company. We also ship using recycled materials and try to incorporate sustainable materials in our office like CFL bulbs and recycled carpeting.
Some of these things may seem small, but others have been quite challenging. Traditional clamshell jewelry boxes are made from petroleum or wood. C5 isn't going to display sustainable jewelry in something so clearly out of alignment with our mission. After much searching, we found ourselves not only in the jewelry business, but the sustainable box business as well because nothing existed that we could buy wholesale. We have devoted significant resources to identifying an alternative. We also produce an eco-jewelry cleaner. Nearly odorless and colorless, C5 jewelry restore is a non-toxic, biodegradable and enzymatic cleaner safe for your jewelry and the environment. This was an important step for us because creating the restore further demonstrated our commitment to the environment as well as our customers.