March 2023 | Lab Grown Magazine

March 2023 | The Lab Grown Diamond Resource Book 22 Mailed to 24,000 Jewelers Monthly - To advertise call (888) 832-1109 | March 2023 23 Special stream: tinyurl.com/LGM-JIS-Spring-Bonus Special thanks to Groco Advisors to the Ultra-Affluent for allowing us to repurpose this content. GREEN WITH ENVY It took Carroll Chatham three years to understand how emeralds are formed in the lab. After perfecting the process to grow emeralds in 1938 and finetuning the growth process (which is anything but fast and easy), a variety of other color-clad precious gemstones followed. From their deep sky blue, Chatham-createdAlexandrite, their aqua blue spinel (an eye-catching alternative to lab-created aquamarine), each Chatham stone is radiant. The clarity within their eye candy gem-grown colors is consistent to the Chatham brand. Take the dynamic blue of their Chatham-created sapphire; the soft hues of their lab-grown champagne sapphire to the intense red of their lab-grown ruby, the tropical lotus flower hues of their grown padparadscha; the sparkle of Chatham- created diamonds, and, of course, the allure of their vivid Chatham-created emeralds. All stones are sold loose, yet again, there’s a lot more to this legacy lab story you need to know. AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: CHATHAM, BEHIND THE SCENES From their California-based, headquarters, Chatham, Inc.’s Monica McDaniel, VP of Marketing, provides candid insight to their colored gemstone growing process, extending far beyond their iconic emerald growing history. The key takeaway from part one of this two-part series is Chatham deserves a special type of acknowledgement… a type of industry credit they hold exclusively. Chatham, Inc. is credited for being the original architects of the gem growing industry. Chatham’s history paved the way for other growers to achieve success in this sector. Proving most any color shade may be achieved through Chatham’s refined gemstone growth technology, the uncanny density, saturation, and spot-on hue within these grown stones precisely match Pantone’s 2023 Color of the Year, as grown, cut and set by Chatham, Inc. Photo: Chatham, Inc. “What this category represents today is a direct result of Chatham’s hard work throughout eight decades of promotion, education and extensive litigation, said McDaniel. We fought the battle decades ago with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over terminology, making it possible for the term ‘created’ to be an acceptable designation to identify a lab- grown gem.” Editor note : McDaniel’s last statement is so powerful, and industry changing, we think it requires repeating. “We (Chatham, Inc.) fought the battle decades ago with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over terminology, making it possible for the term ‘created’ to be an acceptable designation to identify a lab- grown gem. Through decades of education and perseverance, Chatham has not only survived, we have thrived since the end consumer has always been open to options,” McDaniel added. WHAT THE CUSTOMER SEEKS Q: Is the Chatham growing process considered to be “carbon-free,” or how are you working towards that goal to reduce your corporate carbon footprint? A: While there is no product that is truly carbon-free in the jewelry industry, we have taken critical steps to reduce energy dependence to help minimize our carbon footprint. Carroll Chatham cleverly designed high-efficiency flux furnaces to grow our gemstones. The design was intended to properly insulate the chamber, so it was not too hot to the touch. This achieves two things – it creates stability and saves on power, therefore minimizing our carbon footprint. Furthermore, our laboratories are in the process of transitioning from electric to solar power to heat our furnaces. Additionally, we reuse our flux material and refine much of our equipment. This includes our platinum crucibles used for the actual growth process. We are also proud to announce we are members of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC). Q: Please speak to the “plant a tree” program and any specifics pertaining to sustainability that Chatham embraces, and why. A: Chatham has a long history of support for environmental preservation, education, and gemological research. We are living through one of the most transformative periods in history. A time when it is critical for a harmonious balance between manufacturing and preservation. The key is to master the ability to produce with the responsibility to conserve. In 2020, Chatham partnered with One Tree Planted , a non-