The Valley Wedding Guide - Jewelery
“As long as you get a ring that you love and works for your lifestyle, then I’m happy”
-Monteca Confer
Lab or Mined - Which is best?
*Spoiler Alert! The best one is whichever is right for you. (and yes, they’re both “real” diamonds”) There are benefits to each method of diamond sourcing and it ultimately comes down to a personal choice.
Beginning with mined diamonds, you’re buying time. It often takes diamonds over a billion years to grow and surface. They are a limited commodity, hence why they trade on exchanges and support an industry employing 10,000,000 people. You can expect earth mined diamonds to retain their value and likely appreciate over time. Because of industry tracking and regulations like The Kimberley Process, diamonds from mines have shed their negative associations with labor rights practices and are even set to be carbon neutral by 2030. All that said, the scarcity, especially as size and quality are increased, gives mined diamonds a heftier price tag than their lab grown counterparts.
While the earth takes its sweet time making diamonds, the labs are much quicker getting the job done (as little as 6-10 weeks). The expeditious production capabilities satisfy the market demand and enable manufacturers to compete on price basis. This has afforded consumers the ability to purchase larger and higher quality diamonds at a fraction of the cost. However, with the ability to produce on demand, comes the drawback that they will not retain their value the way mined diamonds do. This could be a drawback if your plan is to trade and upgrade your ring in the future, but if your wedding ring is as eternal as your vows it likely won’t matter.
At the end of the day even the best gemologists in the world rely on extremely precise “Sherlock Holmes” machines to distinguish between mined and lab grown diamonds. While both are real, remember they’re a symbol of your commitment, so choose which one is right for you!
The Color
Welcome back to the zeitgeist yellow gold. The popularity of white vs yellow gold alternates in 20 year cycles - white reigned supreme in the 60’s and 70’s, then again in the 2000’s and 2010’s, but yellow gold, popular in the 80’s and 90’s has made its resurgence. Keep in mind, trends are just that, and the “correct” color is the one that fits you. Many people now are mixing white and yellow gold, so make your own rules!
Unique Gems
Amethyst, Ruby, Sapphire, Opal, and Morganite have become popular options for brides seeking an alternative to diamonds. Even one of the rarest sapphires, Padparadscha, has become extremely desirable. Its ancient Sanskrit name describes the pink and orange color of a tropical lotus flower, a perfect fit for one of the rarest gemstones in the world. Unique gems are often a stylistic decision rather than a price based one, with many of these stones carrying a heftier price tag than diamonds.
Treasure Local, and a Local Treasure
The Parking. The square footage. The feel. These are the three reasons why Confer’s Jewelers has built itself a new home at 1074 E Bishop St in Bellefonte where you are cordially invited to enjoy a whole new shopping experience. Fortunately for Bellefonte, while Confer’s is moving, they’re not going anywhere!
After 40 years in the 800 square foot northeast corner of High St and Allegheny, the Confer family has helped create thousands of merry Christmas mornings, happy birthdays and especially, happy “Confer’s Couples.” That will continue in the new location slated to open in mid April 2023, but with an even more glamorous experience! The new space spans 3000 sq ft with beautiful displays, jeweler workspaces, an outdoor patio and a bar to help make the buying experience just as special as the pieces they sell.
Until the new doors open, Confer’s Jewelers is still open in their downtown location ready to provide you with the best selection, service and support. After moving to E Bishop St, the downtown location will still be utilized as a Confer’s location during downtown events and for pop up shops, art & craft expos, and Victorian Christmas festivities!
