At San Jose Jewelers, we understand that the quality of the stones in a college ring is just as important as the quality of the metal. Whether we use genuine stones depends on the type of metal used in the ring and our customers' preferences.
For our 14K gold college rings, we offer a choice of moissanite, lab-grown diamonds, or earth-mined diamonds.
We use cubic zirconia for our platinum silver college rings, providing a brilliant and durable option at a more affordable price.
Understanding Different Types of Stones
Here's a quick guide to the types of stones we use and their unique qualities:
- Cubic Zirconia (CZ): A synthetic gemstone made from zirconium dioxide. Also known as "imitation" stones, CZ is a brilliant and affordable alternative to diamonds, often used in sterling silver or platinum silver rings.
- Moissanite: A lab-created gemstone known for its dazzling fire and brilliance. It is nearly as hard as a diamond and offers a luxurious look at a more accessible price.
- Lab-Grown Diamonds: These are genuine diamonds created in a laboratory environment. They share the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as earth-mined diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds are an ethical and often more affordable choice.
- Earth-Mined Diamonds: Naturally occurring diamonds formed over billions of years beneath the Earth's surface. These are prized for their rarity and timeless beauty.
Adding Color Stones to Your Ring
When it comes to colored gemstones, we prioritize stones that offer the best color and brilliance. Depending on which metal and diamond type you choose, the type of color stone used may vary. Below is a list of the available colors and stone options we offer for each:
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Green
- 14K Gold w/ Moissanite: LAB-GROWN (CHATHAM) EMERALDS
- 14K Gold w/ Lab-Grown Diamonds: LAB-GROWN (CHATHAM) EMERALDS
- 14K Gold w/ Earth-Mined Diamonds: LAB-GROWN (CHATHAM) EMERALDS
- Platinum Silver w/ Cubic Zirconia: LAB-GROWN (CHATHAM) EMERALDS
- Lab-grown "Chatham" emeralds are the standard green stone for all of our college rings because they provide the most consistent shade
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Red
- 14K Gold w/ Moissanite: LAB-GROWN GARNETS
- 14K Gold w/ Lab-Grown Diamonds: LAB-GROWN GARNETS
- 14K Gold w/ Earth-Mined Diamonds: LAB-GROWN GARNETS
- Platinum Silver w/ Cubic Zirconia: LAB-GROWN GARNETS
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Maroon
- 14K Gold w/ Moissanite: NATURAL (EARTH) GARNETS
- 14K Gold w/ Lab-Grown Diamonds: NATURAL (EARTH) GARNETS
- 14K Gold w/ Earth-Mined Diamonds: NATURAL (EARTH) GARNETS
- Platinum Silver w/ Cubic Zirconia: NATURAL (EARTH) GARNETS
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Yellow
- 14K Gold w/ Moissanite: CZ (IMITATION) YELLOW TOPAZ
- 14K Gold w/ Lab-Grown Diamonds: NATURAL (EARTH) YELLOW TOPAZ
- 14K Gold w/ Earth-Mined Diamonds: NATURAL (EARTH) YELLOW TOPAZ
- Platinum Silver w/ Cubic Zirconia: CZ (IMITATION) YELLOW TOPAZ
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Blue
- 14K Gold w/ Moissanite: LAB-GROWN SAPPHIRES
- 14K Gold w/ Lab-Grown Diamonds: LAB-GROWN SAPPHIRES
- 14K Gold w/ Earth-Mined Diamonds: NATURAL (EARTH) SAPPHIRES
- Platinum Silver w/ Cubic Zirconia: LAB-GROWN SAPPHIRES
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Purple
- 14K Gold w/ Moissanite: CZ (IMITATION) PURPLE STONE
- 14K Gold w/ Lab-Grown Diamonds: NATURAL (EARTH) AMETHYST
- 14K Gold w/ Earth-Mined Diamonds: NATURAL (EARTH) AMETHYST
- Platinum Silver w/ Cubic Zirconia: CZ (IMITATION) PURPLE STONE
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Orange
- 14K Gold w/ Moissanite: CZ (IMITATION) ORANGE STONE
- 14K Gold w/ Lab-Grown Diamonds: CZ (IMITATION) ORANGE STONE
- 14K Gold w/ Earth-Mined Diamonds: CZ (IMITATION) ORANGE STONE
- Platinum Silver w/ Cubic Zirconia: CZ (IMITATION) ORANGE STONE
- Orange "CZ" imitation stones currently provide the most consistent shade of orange
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Black
- 14K Gold w/ Moissanite: CZ (IMITATION) BLACK STONE
- 14K Gold w/ Lab-Grown Diamonds: NATURAL (EARTH) BLACK DIAMOND
- 14K Gold w/ Earth-Mined Diamonds: NATURAL (EARTH) BLACK DIAMOND
- Platinum Silver w/ Cubic Zirconia: CZ (IMITATION) BLACK STONE
At San Jose Jewelers, we provide options catering to every taste, style, and budget. Whether you prefer the brilliance of moissanite, the ethical appeal of lab-grown diamonds, the timeless allure of earth-mined diamonds, or want to add a pop of color, we have the perfect stone to make your custom college ring special.