By John Walker
Special to Inside
Established in 1899, H. Horwitz Company is Chicago's oldest family-owned wholesale jeweler. Now it has another impressive statistic to add to its name. The company has been selected as the only jeweler in Illinois to carry the latest Gemesis Cultured Diamonds—100 percent carbon diamonds that are grown in a controlled laboratory setting, yet possess the same physical, chemical and optical characteristics as mined diamonds. These nearly impossible-to-differentiate cultured diamonds are revolutionizing the diamond industry.
"It's amazing! It's very difficult to tell the difference between these and the naturally grown diamonds," comments Craig Horwitz, who along with his mother, Phyllis Horwitz, continues to run the business in the fashion of his father and grandfather before him.
Now, through the Gemesis process, a tiny diamond seed is put into a laboratory environment containing carbon, tremendous pressure and very high temperatures. This new nature-mimicking technology allows the production of high quality, highly desirable yellow diamonds at about one-third the cost of a comparable natural fancy yellow diamond.
There is no difference in weight, clarity or choice of cut; the cultured gems have the same brilliance, fire and life as their naturally grown counterparts. The controlled laboratory setting allows for custom color and sizes, including matched diamonds for bracelets and earrings; perhaps a special size/special color diamond for the ultimate Valentine's Day surprise.
According to Phyllis Horwitz, the strong interest in yellow diamonds originated years ago with the popular "canary" diamonds that were more elegant and considerably more costly than traditional white diamonds. "This process enables the creation of many different and beautiful shades of yellow, not just the bright canary yellow," said Horwitz. They are hoping to add pink diamonds in the future.
Young clients are especially taken with the current colored gemstone fashion, preferring stud earrings of approximately two carats and necklaces featuring a yellow diamond drop. Many clients are choosing cultured yellow diamonds to complement their traditional white diamonds.
As manufacturing jewelers, H. Horwitz Company also boasts a unique selection of naturally mined diamonds, rubies, emeralds, pearls, gold jewelry and more in their ninth floor showroom.
For 105 years, clients have relied on H. Horwitz Company's integrity, unique selection, and knowledgeable service. Their story is old. Growing diamonds is new.
H. Horwitz Co. is located in Water Tower Place, 845 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 900E, on the ninth floor Professional Level. Access the showroom via the professional elevator bank near the main floor newsstand. The hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, contact H. Horwitz Company at (312) 337-3500 or visit hhorwitz.com. |
