Diamonds have long been cast as the leading lady. They've glittered in tiaras at royal weddings, dripped from Hollywood icons, and been whispered about as forever symbols. But today's woman writes her own script. She wants the sparkle, but she also wants a choice.
At Godfrey Allure, we believe diamonds are beautiful, but they are not the only path to brilliance. Let's explore the most captivating alternatives, each with its own story, shimmer, and allure.
Natural Diamonds: The Classic Standard
Pros: Timeless prestige, unmatched hardness (10 Mohs), cultural symbolism.
Cons: Expensive, ethically complex, often purchased more for tradition than personal choice.
They remain the benchmark, but no longer the only leading role.
Lab-Grown Diamonds: Modern Luxury
What they are: Chemically identical to natural diamonds, grown in controlled environments.
Pros: Same sparkle as natural diamonds, more affordable, ethically cleaner.
Cons: Low resale value, some buyers feel they lack mystique.
They're real diamonds, but not always the emotional fit for women who want more story in their jewelry.
Cubic Zirconia (CZ): The Brilliant Imitator
Sparkle: Crisp, icy flashes that rival diamonds brilliance and fire.
Durability: 8-8.5 Mohs hardness, strong enough for daily wear.
Pros: Affordable, flawless clarity, precision-cut for maximum sparkle.
Cons: Over decades of heavy use, surface may need refreshing.
✯This is Godfrey Allure's choice for our rivières, a stone that captures the same light-play as high diamonds, without compromise.
Moissanite: Fire from the Stars
Sparkle: More brilliant than diamond, often with rainbow flashes.
Durability: 9.25 Mohs hardness, second only to diamond.
Pros: Extremely durable, eco-friendly origin.
Cons: In larger stones, the rainbow fire can appear artificial.
Moissanite shines with cosmic fire, but its disco-ball sparkle doesn't always suit vintage glamour.
White Sapphire: The Gentle Glow
Sparkle: More shimmer than sparkle, softer light return.
Durability: 9 mohs hardness
Pros: Natural, durable affordable.
Cons: Can appear milky, lacks diamond-like fire.
A choice for minimalists who prefer subtle gleam over bold brilliance.
Glass and Crystal: The Pretenders
Sparkle: Dull and flat compared to gemstones.
Durability: Scratch easily, cloud quickly.
Verdict: Not a true luxury option.
At Godfrey Allure, we never use them. Our women deserve better.
Why Sparkle Matters
A rivière necklace ins't just jewelry, its light captured and draped around the collarbone. Diamonds may be forever, but so is memory of how you felt the first time your necklace threw fire across the room.
Diamonds: Prestige, tradition.
Lab-Grown: Modern, ethical, but costly.
Moisasnite: Durable, fiery, but flashy.
White Sapphire: Understated, elegant.
Cubic Zirconia: Brilliant, icy, cinematic. Our choice for creating heairloom-worthy sparkle.
The Godfrey Allure Promise
Every stone is cut with diamond level precision, set in refined sterling silver and craft each rivière to drape like liquid light. The result? Pieces that look and feel couture without the million-dollar barrier.