With the economy causing a gloomy forecast for retail sales, many people are taking more time to consider each purchase they make. Now more than ever, you might ask yourself the following questions as you shop for clothing or jewelry: “Is this worth the money? Is it a high-quality item?” “Will I continue to wear this for years to come?” “Is it something I can wear with everything?” If you’re familiar with moissanite, you know you can answer with a resounding “Yes!” to all of these questions!

I was on the phone with one of our moissanite special events reps, who has done hundreds of events all over the country and we were discussing how people are really catching on to moissanite’s incredible value and classic appeal. Her special events showcase high quality, fashion-forward moissanite designs in 14K and 18K settings that are only available during these one day only moissanite jewelry shows.

Over the holidays, she met with hundreds of potential customers, and recently, she noticed a growing trend in classic designs that can be worn anywhere, anytime. “With this economy, I’m seeing a return to the classics—studs, simple pendants, and versatile day-into-evening pieces.”

Lots of couples are turning to moissanite for engagements and anniversaries, too. With moissanite’s brilliance and fire, long-lasting quality and affordability, it’s a natural alternative—especially when couples are trying to cut back their spending - yet still want to celebrate their love.

“Just a few weeks ago in Pittsburgh, a couple that has been married 20 years came in and purchased a three-carat total weight, three-stone band to commemorate their anniversary,” she says.

With all the bad news about the economy, it’s nice to hear some positive news—that more and more people are turning to moissanite for its beauty, brilliance and wallet-friendly price.

I had a nice conversation today regarding our moissanite special event shows with the East Coast Moissanite Specialist at one of our retailers.  She travels around the country, educating consumers about the beauty, brilliance and wallet-friendly attributes of moissanite. She has the opportunity to meet a wide variety of people-some of whom have never heard of moissanite, and some who already own several moissanite pieces and are lifelong moissanite fans.

Here is her story from the road …

“I was hosting a show at Macy’s in Fort Wayne, Indiana,” she says. “It was just before Halloween, and all the jewelry department employees dressed up in festive costumes. They offered customers silver and gold coin candies-a few special candy wrappers contained fun giveaways! By creating such a festive atmosphere, they really drew interest to the moissanite special event.”

 “Near the end of the day, a couple came in with their son. He was looking for stud earrings. He wanted a noticeable look, and instantly fell in love with the sparkle of moissanite,” she says. “He started out trying on the 1 cttw, but then moved to the 1.5 cttw. You could tell he was really interested in the 2 cttw, but wanted to be respectful of his parents’ budget. Since moissanite offers an incredible value for fine jewelry, the family decided that they could afford the 2 cttw. Their son was thrilled.”

 “While I was working on the son’s stud earring purchase, one of my fellow associates was showing his mom a moissanite bezel set ring. She came to our show for her son, but after seeing moissanite’s fire and brilliance in person and recognizing its value, she and her husband decided to purchase the ring as well. They were really a neat family - and now they are a part of our moissanite family!”

While Anita and Kathleen are exhibiting at Charlotte’s Southern Women’s Show another group is halfway around the world attending another show. Our President and Chief Marketing Officer, Dennis Reed along with our International Business Development Manager, Shaun Bateman and the C&C Marketing Director, Michelle Brister are gearing up for a busy weekend of activity in Hong Kong. They have been out of the office all week, attending the Hong Kong Jewellery Show as Charles & Colvard is exhibiting at this annual fall jewelry trade show.

You have read about my coverage of the largest U.S. trade show held each summer in Las Vegas as well as details from the world’s largest jewelry and watch (BaselWorld) show held annually in the spring. Though, I haven’t written about the Hong Kong show in the past. While each trade show has its own personality, the Hong Kong Show seems uniquely distinct from all the others.

Aside from being in the ever-fascinating Hong Kong (which some liken to New York on steroids) a city beyond compare–where the people make up an interesting population from European, British and Asian cultures. Plus the entire city vibe is a combination of Chinese tradition, contemporary architecture (I.M. Pei’s building–World Bank of China, for example) and cutting edge technology. And, that is not to say anything about the magnificent shopping from company brand stores such as Chanel, Ferragamo and Coach to the famous discount shopper’s delight, known as “the night market”.

 I know that our team in Hong Kong spends their days and evenings meeting with the Charles & Colvard distributors. Hong Kong is such a convenient place for our distributors, world manufacturers and retailers to exchange sales and marketing ideas as well as conduct meetings with the home team. We haven’t heard much from them thus far…but no doubt they will come back with great stories of what went on at the show!

 And, it is always fun to hear about what’s happening with moissanite around the world…whether the news is from the Paragon department store in Thailand or activity surrounding moissanite–the “hottest new rock” in the UK or what the Moi Moi sisters are doing in Australia.

 Have a great weekend!

Barbara

 P.S. If you are in the Charlotte area of North Carolina, check the Belk/Charles & Colvard created Moissanite booth at the Southern Women’s Show.

“Travel safely!”

“Be safe”

“I love you!”

We all have spoken those words to friends, family and other loved ones as someone embarks on a road trip, flight, adventure or voyage.

Our newest honoree to accept the Women of Brilliant Achievement™ award, Trish Steele, has helped to guide, encourage and shelter so many along their travels to a new life. We at Charles & Colvard are honored to acknowledge Trish for her tireless work with transforming the lives of women and children from their life of domestic violence to safety.

It seems timely to introduce you to Trish (you will see her profile in a few days) today, since earlier in the week news was shared about our Chairman and CEO, resigning. So we at Charles & Colvard are on a new path in our journey to build the company.

Trish Steele is a woman with perseverance and determination as unbendable as forged steel and an inspiring, unbreakable positive spirit. Please take a moment to find out about Trish and her mission to help women. She is an incredible, selfless woman who has devoted her life to others and the stories of the ladies she has helped are emotional and pull at your heart strings.

As a child Ms. Steele grew up in a household filled with physical and emotional abuse. Disadvantaged with a 70% hearing loss, Trish was often laughed at and rudely teased by classmates about her speech impairment throughout her adolescence and teens. But, she never allowed “no” or “you can’t” or “that’s impossible” to diminish her enthusiasm for doing more. Trish broke barriers.

In the land of suntans, beauty and forever-thin = California, Ms. Steele re-defined the beauty pageant paradigm when she won the 1987 California Gold Coast Pageant after entering as a speech impaired contestant. This was only one of the many milestones Trish has accomplished during her life’s journey.

She’s has had a successful career as a model, make-up artist and wardrobe stylist in the entertainment world for over 25 years and received numerous awards and recognition in the entertainment industry. She is an author and licensed minister.

And, paramount to all of these accomplishments, in 1992, she founded Safe Passage Home a charity devoted to transforming the lives of women and their children who have been victims of domestic violence. Her organization has a team of professionals who volunteer their services to this worthy cause. Her team includes: plastic surgeons, cosmetic dentists, professional counseling therapists, career counselors, image specialists and fitness trainers who provide life makeovers as well as the basic needs of clothing and shelter.

Again, Charles & Colvard is proud honor Ms. Trish Steele with the Women of Brilliant Achievement award.

As I was thinking how I wanted to lead into my first blog, I got a call from one of our vendors in New York, we got our business out of the way and then talked about our plans for the upcoming 4^th of July weekend. She was so excited as her town was hosting a big holiday shindig with festivities all weekend long. She planned to take her 2 children to the fair for face painting and they planned to attend the town’s display of fireworks.

Her comment made me think about how everyone celebrates The Fourth differently. From honoring the soldiers - both those who serve our country presently to those who have served in the past, to simply hanging with friends, gathering at a family event, to just enjoying the freedom of a day off - everyone celebrates this holiday differently and uniquely. Just how our jewel, moissanite, is unique, so is everyone’s celebration.

I started some online research thinking about saying something really profound regarding this patriotic holiday and what I found was a really great website that let me navigate through our past and yet celebrated our “newer” traditions that we, as American’s, have adopted over the last 232 years. You can get a little nostalgic with me at: http://www.factmonster.com/spot/independenceday1.html

I know. I know. You’re just here for the scoop around the C&C corridors … so here’s what I’ve heard:

Daycations and staycations are popular with the price of gasoline. Some C&C employees are hosting their families who are visiting from Pennsylvania and other neighboring states. Some told me that their friends are coming in town from California and “Hotlanta”. One woman in accounting is attending a local folk art festival and others are taking short weekend jaunts to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Charlottesville, Virginia and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. One of our directors is hosting a small, intimate (I am being facetious) 63 person get-together in the mountains! I also found out that it’s a big birthday weekend for a number of employee family members, someone from manufacturing is actually heading to NYC for candles and fireworks! And, someone in marketing is heading to Pennsylvania for a pig-pick’n themed wedding! If that’s not a unique celebration, I don’t know what is!

On a personal note, my thoughts will be with a girlfriend from high school who is scheduled to be in a Moscow, Russia courtroom on our American Independence Day adopting an orphan boy - who, when he finally arrives to this great country, will be uniquely named, Eli.

Welcome to America Eli!

And, I wish all of you safe travels and a Happy July 4^th!