When we launched of BrillianceofMe.com several months ago, we created “Behind the Scenes Blog” and it was designed as an insider’s look at what’s happening in the world of jewelry, the land of moissanite and with Charles & Colvard. You probably have noticed from blog entry to blog entry, that the topics vary based on the news of the week, stories shared and events on the Charles & Colvard calendar. And, from time to time we’ll feature guest bloggers with their own perspective on a woman’s life. The blog itself will evolve and in the future you’ll have an opportunity to share and write your thoughts on topics we discuss.

Now with the annual shareholders meeting over, the Charles & Colvard sales team will be participating in the JCK Las Vegas jewelry trade show. Considered by many in our industry as the most important (definitely the largest in the U.S.), the show begins on May 30 and is attended by jewelry retailers and buyers from across the country. While we aren’t certain to how many buyers will attend, last year over 20,000 attended the show held at the Las Vegas Sands Expo and Convention Center.

The show provides Charles & Colvard with an opportunity to discuss sales plans and marketing initiatives with our U.S. distributors and manufacturers. Plus, this is an excellent opportunity to speak with retailers who currently sell moissanite jewelry and new retailers who are interested in adding a collection of moissanite jewelry. While our main clients are distributors and manufacturers, this trade show environment provides our sales team with a unique opportunity to maximize a limited amount of days to meet with many manufacturers and their retailers. In addition, the JCK Show provides our marketing department with an opportunity to visit with editorial staffs from various fashion, women’s lifestyle and general consumer interest publications.

On the fun and business side of Las Vegas, I understand the Plumb Club (an organization of large jewelry manufacturers) is hosting a night of glitz and glamour with special entertainment by Cher. And, a trade publication group hosted a private concert by Seal. I’ve heard several talking about Seal and some of the men in the industry were hoping that Heidi Klum would be present!

Nevertheless, I’ll sign off now as I am somewhere over the nation flying between Raleigh and Las Vegas.

You’ll hear more from the road in a few days…as with this blog, “What goes on in Vegas, won’t stay in Vegas!”

As many Los Angelinos passed through the 20 foot bronze doors of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, to attend Mother’s Day mass last weekend, I don’t know if they were aware of the connectedness they shared with a mother living in the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina.

That mother is an amazing woman named Ping Fu. Aside from juggling all the responsibilities of being a mom to an active teenager, Ms. Fu is well-known and respected in the business world as the founder, CEO and president of Geomagic, a high-tech company that created a unique 3-D digital scanning software for design, manufacturing and engineering applications. It is this incredible software that allows sculptors like Robert Graham (who designed the cathedral doors and Virgin Mary sculpture that is positioned above the doors) to create such majestic works.

And for all of us who might not know about the cathedral in LA, you might know of another product created with the aid of Geomagic software which has resulted in a lot of beautiful smiles. Ping’s software was instrumental in the design and production of Invisalign, a series of clear tooth alignment adjusters that provide an orthodontic alternative to adults who need braces.

Ms. Fu was also selected as one of Charles & Colvard’s Women of Brilliant Achievement honorees. If you don’t know who she is or haven’t already read about Ping, please check out her story featured in our Women of Brilliant Achievement section. I think you will be as touched, amazed and inspired as I was when I first learned about her.

Her journey from enduring the torturous treatment by the Red Guard during the reign of Chairman Mao during the Cultural Revolution to coming to America, experiencing freedom and discovering a land of opportunities–Ms. Fu’s story isn’t the typical story about overcoming adversity. Charles & Colvard is not the only organization who has honored Ms. Fu. She received Inc. Magazine’s Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2005 and has been honored with a host of acknowledgements.

Congratulations Ping! You are not only an inspiration to women, but to all Americans and people around the world!

When asked, “What are you doing for mom this year?” the women of Charles & Colvard had many responses: chocolates, flowers, a pajama-gram, 2 dozen roses, Barbara Walter’s newest book, Audition: A Memoir, a UNC garden gnome, a digital photo frame loaded with memories, a Notre Dame corn sack game and of course several women mentioned MOISSANITE with enthusiasm!

Well, what woman doesn’t love moissanite?

Frankly, I haven’t met one!

And, although I wanted to write this blog about mothers—I was a little torn about the message as I wanted to talk more about all those feelings and emotions behind Mother’s Day gifts.

Last night my friend Sande called to catch up. She filled me in about her family’s Passover, we talked about the passing of our friend Myra and she gave me the update on her daughter, Dana, being a “fantastic” new mom. She just couldn’t stop referring to her grandson, Max as “delicious”. Last week, another friend e-mailed me about her daughter being selected for a lead role in a middle school play and her cheerleader tryouts. And, yet another friend e-mailed me about her 14 year-old son being a star in lacrosse and he was selected (with 19 other students) to run the government of Beverly Hills for a day!

As we approach or pass 50 (not the speed limit but age) life appears differently, as if we were looking through new lenses than those that we used when we were 25 or 30.

While not all women are mothers, we all are daughters.

That commonality is undeniable. We daughters have many similar “mom” stories. Thinking about all the women at Charles & Colvard—some are only daughters as I am, others are mothers and we also have a few nanas or grandmothers and even great-grandmothers amongst us.

Mommies, mamas, moms, mothers or whatever you call them–are incredible individuals. Scanning for mommy stories as you walk the halls of Charles & Colvard is a heart-warming experience. One single mom lights up when she proudly speaks of her 5 year-old daughter. We have our own C&C marathon-running mother with 3 sons—all under the age of 7! I wonder if she gave birth while wearing sneakers? One C&C woman director baffles me with all the activities she does for her sons, after office hours (Boy Scouts, piano lessons, baseball, football and basketball games and school plays). And another woman can delight you with her stories of her 91 year-old mom who runs circles around everyone, is a pro with a Swiffer and never misses an appointment with her hair colorist!

Plus there are some incredible women who are moms and are married to men at C&C. Let’s see: there is a soccer mom/coach who is a tireless volunteer at her children’s school and schleps her sons between baseball, basketball and football games. You’d really believe that she has the black belt in motherhood, rather than her 10-year old Tai Kwon Do son! Another mother clocks 75 miles on the family car, each day, just driving their son to and from a school that addresses his special needs! And there is another mom who left her husband specific instructions about the Easter baskets that he needed to assemble in her absence…as she was spending the holiday weekend with their eldest daughter who lives in New York.

Mother’s Day is the perfect occasion to tell your mom how valuable and respected she is. Several years ago while I was taking a seminar, the instructor told a story about giving his mother the ultimate gift, a letter of thanks for everything he could remember that his mom did for him over the years.

In 2000 that’s what I did and the letter was 7 pages, typed and filled with all the “thank you’s” I wanted to repeat or say for the first time. As I share a few points in my letter to my mom, I want to say “Happy Mother’s Day!” to all women as you are as incredible as moissanite is unique and you are every bit as brilliant!

…you have influenced me, helped to form my values and shape my outlook on life. You’ve been a role model as to what it means to be a contributing citizen, a thoughtful neighbor, friend, a loving human being and a person who wants to make a difference in this world.

You have encouraged me, dried my tears, applied band-aids to my “owies” and “ouchies”, and kissed away the pain.

Thank you for the many times you laced up my ice skates after walking me to the skating rink. You were there to encourage me and dust the snow off when I fell.

Thank for always being the taxi driver carting me to slumber parties and school activities. Even during my teen years when I “knew” everything and didn’t “need” you anymore (I thought) —you were there for me.

So for all the times when you hugged me—over the years, and I didn’t seem to appreciate your hug—please forgive me. Your hugs are priceless! Although I am miles away as I write this—I can close my eyes and feel the sensation of one of your hugs.

Thank you for being the best Brownie Girl Scout leader and caring about what your daughters were doing in school and after school.

For all those times during the past years when I hurt your feelings—please know I am truly sorry and forgive me.

Thank you for reassuring me about not being a failure when I got a divorce.

Thank you for teaching me to respect someone else’s property and making me scrub clean the playroom walls after I wrote all over them with colored chalk!

So, to all women, Happy Mother’s Day!

Are you perplexed as to what to buy your mom for Mother’s Day?

The women at Charles & Colvard would say, “Moissanite! Give her moissanite!”

Women do love moissanite. It’s that incredible jewel that shines like a star and demands star attention as it will cause heads to turn from across the room. Some of the women here at C&C say, it has a “10 table” sparkle (a brilliance that is noticeable from 10 tables away when in a restaurant). And, it is just that. Women love the big, bold look of moissanite and they are absolutely intrigued by its brilliance and beauty!

Plus, women tell us that they receive so many “oohs, ahs and wows” from people when they wear their moissanite jewelry!

Let’s talk a little bit more about these reactions. Compliments make us feel good, they make us feel smart and they make us feel beautiful.

So, what woman doesn’t love feeling as if all eyes are on her?

Recently I was in Atlanta to observe a focus group of women who own moissanite jewelry. One woman was telling the others about the moissanite earrings that her son had given her for Mother’s Day (last year). She proudly told the group…she got lots of compliments on her earrings and she considered them to be very special because her son had given them to her.

Last year my boyfriend and I each gave our moms moissanite earrings. They were a huge hit and I don’t think either of the moms has worn any other earrings since!

Still perplexed as to what to give your mom this Mother’s Day?

Why not moissanite? Why not make her feel beautiful? She’ll love turning heads and receiving all the attention!

Check out these special one-day moissanite jewelry events. The shows are happening just in time for Mother’s Day gift shopping. You will be amazed by the huge selection of styles to choose from. You’ll find a perfect style for mom and maybe you’ll fall in love with one for you!

Wednesday, May 7
Dillard’s at 1101 Melbourne Road in Melbourne, TX
JCPenney at Clackamas Town Center in Portland, OR
JCPenney at Dover Mall in Dover, DE
JCPenney at South County Center in St. Louis, MO

Thursday, May 8
Belk at Ashland Town Center in Ashland, KY
Dillard’s at 3821 South Cooper in Arlington, TX
JCPenney at Washington Square in Portland, OR
JCPenney at Marley Station Mall in Glen Burnie, MD
JCPenney at St. Clair Square in Fairview Heights, IL

Friday, May 9
Dillard’s at 2501 Dallas Parkway in Plano, TX
Dillard’s at 4600 West Kellogg in Wichita, KS
JCPenney at Eastpointe Mall in Baltimore, MD
JCPenney at Vancouver Mall in Vancouver, WA
JCPenney at Mid Rivers Mall in St. Peters, MO

Saturday, May 10
Dillard’s at 7700 East Kellogg in Wichita, KS
Dillard’s at 2401 S. Stemmons Freeway in Lewisville, TX
JCPenney at Alton Square in Alton, IL
JCPenney at Capital Mall in Olympia, WA
JCPenney at White Marsh Mall in Baltimore, MA

I am always curious about who is buying moissanite, where and what was the occasion. While we know that most moissanite jewelry is sold to women for themselves, there is a growing interest in moissanite for both gifts as well as for brides. In this month’s “Destination Weddings and Honeymoons” moissanite is featured as a possible selection for engagement rings.

So with June approaching and traditionally considered as a month for weddings, I heard a cute story about a marriage proposal that I want to share. It involves a department store that carries moissanite jewelry, a donut loving jewelry sales professional and one very clever boyfriend. For fun let’s call the girlfriend, Beth and the boyfriend, Evan.

One morning Evan called Beth to report that he had discovered a new donut shop and he was on the way over with the treats. Upon arriving he delivered the box of donuts, dropped to his knees and proposed to Beth right in the middle of the jewelry department! This was a total surprise to Beth, but not so for her colleagues as they had helped Evan in selecting the ring.

She enthusiastically said yes as Evan presented her with a beautiful solitaire engagement ring set with a 1ct. round brilliant cut moissanite!

That is my story about donuts and “I do!”

So if you are counting calories, carbs or don’t like donuts, you might want to skip the donuts this weekend.

But, check out these special 1-day only moissanite jewelry collections which are guaranteed to be fat-free, longer lasting than donuts and far more sweet!

Saturday, May 3
Belk at Foothills Mall in Foothills, TN
Dillard’s at 27001 West Hwy 19 North in Clearwater, FL
Helzberg Diamonds at Woodbridge Center Mall in Woodbridge, NJ
JCPenney at Northridge Mall in Salinas, CA
JCPenney at Woodland Hills Mall in Tuscaloosa, OK

Sunday, May 4
Belk at Colonial Pinnacle Mall in Turkey Creek, TN
JCPenney at Battlefield Mall in Springfield, MO
JCPenney at Park City Mall in Lancaster, PA