April 2023 | Lab Grown Magazine

April 2023 | The Lab Grown Diamond Resource Book 24 Mailed to 24,000 Jewelers Monthly - To advertise call (888) 832-1109 | April 2023 25 The referenced reader is not exclusive to this story. Tom Chatham has his own story to tell, and is doing so in a hardbound book entitled, The Chatham Legacy , debuting at JCK, Las Vegas this summer. Why did you decide to write  The Chatham Legacy ? “ This book has been in my head for about 35 years,” Chatham recalls. “Many people suggested I write it, but there was always something in the way… like daily business. Plus, I had no idea how to write a book, even though I’m a prolific writer and love to read. After I stopped the day-to-day activities at Chatham I had the time to write. It dawned on me that I was the last Chatham connected to this business! So, a few years ago, I wrote an outline on my laptop and there it sat for two years. Then in 2021, my fellow crystal growers persuaded me to finally finish it. Dona Dirlam, former GIA head librarian was a very helpful advisor. After reading my draft, I asked her to be honest, ‘Was it worth the effort?’ She enthusiastically said ‘yes!’ And we got to work. I also worked with another ex-GIA person, Amanda Luke, former contributor to GIA’s  Gems & Gemology . Amanda has been our top editor in chief since the start. I don’t think anyone can write a book without a good editor,” Chatham noted. Who’s the target audience for this book? “It is certainly a trade-oriented book, but it is also a story about struggles and perseverance; both on my fathers’ efforts to get his creation excepted into the trade and as my determination to make this work successful. Without this passion the business would have failed, just like so many other inventors have struggled; Gilson, Kashan, Ramora, Creative Crystals… these and others wilted and disappeared, even with a good product. This book will be read and appreciated by people who don’t quit,” Chatham emphasized. Do you foresee yourself authoring more books? Left: A rare photograph appearing on the back of The Chatham Legacy hardbound book featuring Carroll Chatham working shoulder-to-shoulder with Tom Chatham, circa 1967. Center: Spine of book. Right: Front of book showcasing a Tom’s favorite photo of his father, a picture that almost didn’t make the cover. The resolution of the photo is obviously poor, but the message it conveys is rich. Photo: Chatham, Inc. Dan Scott is a Brand Architect with New York/metro-based Luxe Licensing, a marketing, video production and licensing agency catering to bespoke clients including Dior, Gucci, Harry Winston, and introducing demi-fine, natural and man- made diamond designs. Dan may be reached by texting + 1 201 294 3697, emailing dans@luxelicensing. com or visiting www.LuxeLicensing.com Dan Scott also operates a non-profit organizatoin: The Mined and Man-made Diamond Alliance (MMDA.world), the only unbiased mined and man-made diamond global group supporting both sides of the diamond and gemstone sector, to build unity, provide research and bridge the diamond divide. MMDA.world hopes to work closely with the Natural Diamond Council (NDC) and the The International Grown Diamond Association (IGDA) “No more books! On the other hand, I am sorry that there were so many adventures and experiences I’ve had that just didn’t fit. Adventures like having to bribe my way out of the Ukraine, through Thai customs, paying off officials in Africa to get certain things through… I’ve witnessed abject poverty in Moscow right after the breakup. I have visited so many countries, with over three million miles in the air, and have boxes of notes from those trips, but they just didn’t fit in. I have been in diamond growth experiments where huge explosions occurred right after I left the room - escaping without a scratch. The list goes on and on, but I don’t see myself writing any more books,” Chatham said. The Chatham Legacy is a book based on an American success story. “It defines determination, perseverance and passion for one’s beliefs and conviction to a concept no one else believes in,” Tom Chatham said. This summer, Chatham’s JCK booth will be the launching pad for The Chatham Legacy via book signings. The hardbound book will sell for under $100 on the Chatham site, through GIA, and select lab websites across the world. ◊ Tom Chatham needs to add another title to his inspiring career; Author.