The Third Annual Nicolle Shops Portland party is all over. We had an amazing time and it was great seeing everyone at the event. A special thanks to Nicolle for her generosity and support. For those of you that didn’t make it we hope to see you next year. From all of us at MiaDonna we would like to send a heart felt thanks to our supporters, both of MiaDonna and The Greener Diamond.

Nicolle, the Models and everyone preparing for the party.

Time to Party!

Thank You!

The Ellise is a classic Engagement Ring that places emphases on simple beauty. A simple Woven setting holding 3 Round Brilliant Cut Simulated Diamond Hybrids. A wider, smooth, line less shank melts into the finger allowing the three round brilliant cut stones to fully capture the eye. Similar rings are being worn by Fergie, in a Solitaire, and Kim Kardashian in a similar Threestone Engagement Ring version set with Emerald Cut Diamonds. The Ellise pictured here is set with one .75 carat and two .50 carat Simulated Diamond Hybrids and was created in Solid 14K eco friendly recycled gold offered at $998.00.

MiaDonna has been committed to offering  consumers  a diamond alternative from the begging that was incredibly beautiful and very affordable. The financial rewards of buying a MiaDonna Simulated Diamond Hybrid have always been extremely measurable when compared to what the diamond industry says a person is supposed to spend on an Engagement Ring.  The MiaDonna Hybrid Stone is as beautiful of a stone, simulate or earthmined, as any of us will ever see.

Couples in love still want to get married whether the economy is bad or good. Brides have always wanted an Engagement Ring that makes them feel beautiful, loved, special and represents their individual style and inner beauty.

So, regardless of this recession there has never been a better time in history, at least in most of our life times, to buy a Simulated Diamond Hybrid from MiaDonna. Everything a groom and bride have ever wanted in a engagement ring is being offered to them right now.

The Settings at MiaDonna represent the hottest styles of both yesterday and today. And if you don’t see what you want on our website, just send us an image of your dream setting and there is a very good chance it already exists in our extensive data base. If not, we can certainly give you a custom quote to create the piece for you. The settings themselves are constructed from eco friendly recycled metals and are created in Solid, not plated, Gold, Palladium and Platinum. There is no short cut to quality and every setting comes with a 2 year manufacturers warranty.

The Center stone, which is the focal point of every setting, is the finest and most realistic Diamond alternative known to man. The MiaDonna Simulated Diamond Hybrid mimics the finest earth mined diamonds in the world to perfection. Far superior in beauty and realism than Moissanite with an overall hardness nearly two times greater than a Cubic Zirconium the MiaDonna hybrid stone is quickly becoming the diamond alternative of choice for a new generation of brides and grooms that are both fiscally and environmentally conscious. Lab Grown Diamonds are still in the $3,000.00 to $5,000.00 per carat range and are only being offered in colored stones. Moissanite while very hard still has a doubly refractive index and poor color grades of I and J making it un realistic and non diamond like. Cubic Zirconium does a good job of fooling people but fades quickly, is hard to keep clean and is very soft. The MiaDonna Simulated Diamond Hybrid is the best Diamond alternative available on the market today. With a hardness rating of 9.1 it is among the leaders in the diamond simulant industry for hardness equaling that of a genuine Ruby or Sapphire with only an earthmined diamond coming in at a 10. Because The MiaDonna hybrid stone is made with Diamond it is more realistic and lifelike than CZ and Moissanite could ever be. The MiaDonna simulated Diamond Hybrid is also 100% conflict free.

MiaDonna & Company was created by consumers for consumers looking for an alternative to inflated diamond prices, environmentally damaging mining, socially unacceptable diamond fueled war and to rid society of the stink that the more you spend the more you care. Just because a diamonds beauty lasts forever doesn’t mean buying a big one gives your marriage a better shot. However, owning a beautiful Engagement Ring or Wedding Ring Set should be every couples right regardless of income. Going one step further MiaDonna has also created “The Greener Diamond Foundation” which is educating consumers and delivering aid to those who have already suffered by the hands of the diamond industry. MiaDonna & Company is the first Simulated Diamond, Man Made Diamond or Lab Created Diamond company in the world to implement a self started program designed to rebuild the damage left behind by an unethical diamond industry and search for new ways to end the suffering while keeping up with the demand for Beautiful, Affordable diamond jewelery.

With proceeds from The ENOUGH! T-shirt and contributions from MiaDonna & Co, The Greener Diamond is moving forward with laying out a plan to re generate an old diamond mine. Along with our founding endorser John Littlefield from “Extreme Makeover Home Edition” and Kimmie Weeks foundation “Youth Action International” we will employ former child soldiers to clean up this old diamond mine and begin farming it into rice fields. This will not only provide the community with a sustainable source of food but it will give them a source of income as well

Here is a picture of the mine. It is located in the Konor region of Sierra Leone and is full of dangerous toxic water infested with mosquitoes and bacteria. Hard to imagine that such a beautiful place can have so much suffering.

Continue reading »The Greener Diamond regenerating an old diamond mine in Sierra Leone

Shape is often confused with cut. The shape is determined by the general outline of the stone. The cut refers to the proportions, symmetry, and finish of the diamond. In layman’s terms, imagine two women who both have long hairstyles.  While the length may be the same, the overall look can be completely different because of how differently they are cut – with layers, texture, blunt ends, curly or straight, fine or course.   The same is true with the shape and cut of diamonds. While two stones may have the same “shape” they may greatly vary in their cut. That is why two stones side-by-side with the same shape, clarity and carat weight may appear different and have a different price.  One may have more fire or sparkle than the other and that’s because one stone is cut better than the other. So when people use terms like “Princess Cut and Round Brilliant Cut they are really referring to the shape of the diamond and not the relative proportion’s of tables, facets and girdle that make up a diamonds AGS graded cut.

The shape of the diamond may be the one thing a bride is most certain of in choosing the ring she will proudly wear every day.  That being said, if you haven’t tried on any other shapes besides a traditional round brilliant or princess – I highly recommend that you step out of the box and try on something different – you may be surprised at how much you like the pillowy opulence of a cushion cut or the lengthening elegance of a pear shape. MiaDonna & Company offers a variety of traditional and Fancy stones, some available in vivid yellow and fancy pink colors as well.

Round Brilliant Cut:

When it comes to earth-mined diamonds the most common, classic and by far the most popular engagement ring stone is the round brilliant.  The round brilliant is suitable for most hand and finger shapes.  An ideal cut round brilliant shaped diamond sparkles without comparison. MiaDonna offers the Round Brilliant in Bright white and Fancy Pink colores.

Princess Cut:

The square shaped princess cut diamond has been fairly popular for the last 10 – 15 years.  A princess cut is best suited on a slender finger, but is still quite versatile for most hands.   Due to its sharp corners, the princess shaped (earth-mined or lab created) requires more skill to prevent chipping during the setting process.   If you have a loose you want to have set, be sure to have your jeweler inspect your stone and confirm that there are no chips before you leave your stone with them.  The princess shape is still classic, but can also be set in a more modern or “clean” design setting.  The princess shaped MiaDonna diamond hybrid, is by far one of their most brilliant cut stones.

Emerald Cut:

As the name implies, emerald shaped diamonds are fashioned after the precious stone bearing their name.  Emeralds are rectangular in shape with the appearance of steps cut into the stone and clipped corners.  This elegant shape is having a return of popularity and can have a lengthening effect for hands/fingers.

Asscher Cut:

A cut developed at the turn of the century that experienced its greatest popularity in the 20’s. An Asscher is similar to an Emerald for its step facets and clipped corner, but is square shaped vs. rectangular. The Asscher was later improved at the dawn of the 21st century and with the recurrence of vintage or antique engagement rings, the Asscher cut has made a nice comeback as a sophisticated and luxurious favorite for celebrity engagement rings. MiaDonna offers the Asscher Cut in Bright white, Fancy yellow and Fancy Pink colors.

Radiant Cut:

With corners trimmed like an Emerald shape, but more facets than a Princess a Radiant shaped diamond offers brilliant sparkle but is often overlooked. Radiants can also work well in men’s rings. There crisp lines add a sharp edges add the crisp look that a masculine ring is looking for.

Oval Cut:

The Oval shape has been more commonly used for three stones, but is surpassing Marquise in popularity for solitaire engagement rings, with or without side stones.

Pear Cut:

Frequently found in pendants, this tear drop shape stone is proportioned well enough to refract light and dons a very nice sparkle. Like the Oval, the Pear shape diamond is emerging in popularity as a solitaire engagement ring that’s been recently seen on stars like Katherine Heigl.

Marquise:

Brilliantly cut like a Round shape diamond, but elongated like an Oval.  The elongated shape has a lengthening effect on hands, but the Marquise has faded in popularity.

Trilliant or Trillion:

Three-sided or triangular in shape, a Trilliant can sometimes have curved edges and is either step or brilliant cut. Most frequently used as a side or accent stone, a brilliant cut triangle shape can have amazing fire and make for a stunning center stone.

Some of the other specialty or vintage cuts not covered: Heart Shape, Old European, Old Miners, Bagguettes, Squarillion, and Quadrillion. There are many different shapes of diamonds. Taks the time when you are considering your engagement ring and find the Cut, really shape, of the diamond that speaks to you. If you do not see the diamond shape you like available in the Engagement rings or wedding ring sets, MiaDonna can always custom create or alter any piece, to give you the ring of your dreams.

This Sunday March 8,2009 in Fresno,Ca Ty, Johnny and the rest of the design team will be building yet another home for a worthy family. Johnny is now wearing the “ENOUGH” shirt in his appearances on the show. We will be selling the shirt and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Youth Action International and its founder Kimmie Weeks.

We will use the funds to re generate and old diamond mine in the Konor region of Sierra Leone and will be employing former Child hood soldiers to work the lands. Are goal is to create a new sustainable rice field where there was once only destruction and disease

Continue reading »John Littlefield from Extreme Makeover Home Edition on set in the “ENOUGH” shirt!

We recently sponsored a charity event called “Valentines Day for the CCA”.

While the Dj’s where on air, a customer called in to tell the listening audience what MiaDonna and our lab created diamonds are all about.

Here is what she had to say.

The ring ended up selling for $2,500.00 all donated to the CCA.

Jen, From all of us at MiaDonna, We appreciate your support and enthusiasm. It means the world to us to have customers that are passionate about, not only the product, but the kind of company we are striving to become. Thank you!