Stories & Standards

VVS1 stands for Very Very Slightly Included, Grade 1. It's one of the highest clarity grades a stone can receive, meaning any inclusions are so microscopic that they're nearly impossible to see even under 10x magnification.

For you, that means the stone looks completely clean to the naked eye. No visible blemishes, no cloudy spots, no dark marks. Just pure, uninterrupted fire.

At Lumina, every stone we set is VVS1 clarity. We don't cut corners with lower grades because clarity directly affects how light travels through the stone. A cleaner stone reflects more light, which means more brilliance and more sparkle.

When you see a Lumina piece next to a lower-clarity alternative, the difference is immediate. VVS1 isn't just a spec on paper. It's the difference between a stone that looks alive and one that looks flat.

Every Lumina piece comes in both 925 sterling silver and 18k gold. Both are real, durable metals that will last a lifetime with proper care. The choice comes down to three things: lifestyle, aesthetics, and budget.

Sterling silver (925) is bright, cool-toned, and pairs effortlessly with casual and formal wear. It's the more affordable option and develops a beautiful patina over time if left untreated. With regular polishing, it stays brilliant indefinitely.

18k gold is warm, luxurious, and naturally resistant to tarnishing. It costs more because it contains a higher percentage of pure gold. If you wear jewelry every day and never want to take it off, gold is the lower-maintenance choice.

Both metals hold our VVS1 lab-created stones with the same precision. You're not compromising on stone quality by choosing silver. You're simply choosing a different aesthetic. Some customers buy one of each and switch depending on the occasion.

Lab-created stones are not imitations. They are chemically, physically, and optically identical to mined stones. The only difference is origin: one comes from the earth, the other from a controlled laboratory environment.

The process starts with a small seed crystal. In a growth chamber, carbon is subjected to extreme heat and pressure (HPHT method) or deposited layer by layer through chemical vapor (CVD method). Over weeks, the crystal grows atom by atom until it reaches the desired size.

Because the environment is controlled, lab-created stones are consistently cleaner than mined stones. No random geological contamination, no conflict zones, no exploitative mining practices. Just pure, predictable, repeatable quality.

Every Lumina stone passes the same diamond tester used for mined stones. They have the same hardness, the same refractive index, and the same fire. The only thing they don't have is the environmental and human cost of mining.

Fine jewelry is built to last, but it does need occasional care. The good news: maintaining sterling silver and 18k gold with lab-created stones is straightforward.

For daily care, simply wipe your jewelry with a soft, lint-free cloth after wearing. This removes oils from your skin and keeps the metal bright.

For a deeper clean, mix warm water with a drop of mild dish soap. Soak your piece for 5-10 minutes, then gently brush with a soft toothbrush. Rinse with warm water and pat dry with a microfiber cloth.

Store each piece separately in a soft pouch or lined box to prevent scratching. Avoid exposing your jewelry to chlorine, perfumes, or harsh chemicals. With these simple steps, your Lumina pieces will stay brilliant for years.