Mapple Gems Journal

Education

Guides, stories, and answers about lab-grown diamonds, moissanite, and fine jewellery — written by our atelier.

Currently reading: 242 stories

Deposits on Made-to-Order Work

A deposit isn't a booking fee. Knowing exactly which moment makes a workshop's costs unrecoverable tells you whether the terms are fair.

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Why carat is weight, not size, how cut and shape change a stone's face-up size, and how to get the biggest look...

The named parts of a cut gemstone — table, crown, girdle, pavilion, culet — and why their proportions drive sparkle.

What dispersion (fire) is, how it differs from brilliance, and why moissanite is known for its abundant colorful flashes.

The simple optics of sparkle: how a stone's facets reflect light, why cut quality matters most, and what brilliance, fire, and scintillation...

What a halo setting is, why it makes the center stone look bigger and offers great value, and how it differs from...

What 'conflict-free' means, why responsible sourcing matters, and why lab-created stones like moissanite are an easy ethical choice.

The traditional meanings behind popular gemstone colors, how birthstones personalize a gift, and how to give jewelry with symbolism.

What separates fine jewelry from fashion/costume jewelry — metals, stones, longevity — and why moissanite in real metal is fine jewelry.

What lab-created gemstones are, how they differ from natural stones, why they're not imitations, and why buyers choose them.

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