Le Vian

[pregcurious]

How are their rings so inexpensive? Is this beryllium treated?

http://www.jared.com/en/jaredstore/le-vian--174%3B-14k-white-gold-diamond--amp%3B-natural-sapphire-ring-132916608--1?utm_campaign=CSE&utm_source={ifdyn:dynamic}{ifplaLA}&cm_mmc=ChannelAdvisor-_-CSE-_-{ifdyn:dynamic}{ifplaLA}-_-Ad&CAWELAID=1449104501

 

[cm366]

Or just clarity enhanced, or pitch black when it's not in their light box. I'm not too sure about 'vanilla diamonds' either, that sounds like an excellent marketing name for L-N colours

Edited to add: they mention beryllium diffusion and fracture filling in the description of sapphires here:

http://www.jared.com/ContentView?catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=10451&cmsId=color_gemstone_treatment

 

[VapidLapid]

I think vanilla diamonds have black flecks in them like vanilla bean ice cream

 

[pregcurious]

Thanks, I didn't notice that.

 

[txgreeneyes]

The majority of their stones are treated. I have a beautiful LeVian sapphire diamond halo ring. The certificate says "natural". But, on their website, it has a disclaimer that most of the stones are treated.

I love my ring. But, I know the sapphire isn't the best one on the market.

Have you seen their paraiba tourmaline rings?

 

[pregcurious]

Yes. They look decent.

 

[T L]

I really like some of their settings. I was thinking of getting one second hand, popping out the center stone, and putting in one of my own.

 

[movie zombie]

i'm just curious but does anyone know why is it listed as "Blueberry Sapphire™"? what did they trademark? the use of "blueberry"?

 

[chrono]

MZ,
I have no idea about the Blueberry Sapphire name, and the same goes for Vanilla Diamond name, which is puzzling. I wonder if the diamond is trademarked or if there is something different about it.

 

[movie zombie]

so, re the "vanilla" diamond: http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4806:qjm4ou.2.1
so only they are allowed to market their diamonds as "vanilla diamonds".
an effective marketing tool until people catch on.

and it looks like they're going after many markets:
http://trademark.markify.com/trademark-owner/uspto/le+vian+corp./418039

 

[chrono]

MZ,
Thanks for doing more investigative work on the Vanilla Diamond trademark. It does not tell me what it means though or what makes it special. Admittedly, I'm not good at searches so I hope those with a nimble keyboard will be able to find out more. The same goes for the Blueberry Sapphire name.

 

[movie zombie]

it means they have trademarked and have exclusive use of Blueberry Sapphire, Vanilla Diamond, etc.
that means other vendors cannot use those terms in marketing for sale their items.
the one that would concern me if i were a vendor is "chocolate pearls" as listed on page 1 of the le vian applied for/rec'd trademarks.

from the uspto website:
What is a trademark?
A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol or design, or a combination thereof, that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of others.
http://www.uspto.gov/faq/trademarks.jsp#_Toc275426672

interesting that this type of thing that went on with other industries is now happening within the jewelry business.

 

[chrono]

I think I understand what you mean now. So the item doesn't necessarily have special characterstics that makes it stand apart from other similar items, only that other vendors can no longer advertise using words such as VD and BS?

 

[movie zombie]

yep.

 

[jstarfireb]

They seem to be using food-related marketing a lot, with their chocolate diamonds and all.

 

[T L]

I love chocolate diamonds, in darkened metal. I saw a brown pearl surrounded by rose cut chocolate diamonds in darkened metal, and it was so beautiful. I guess that's why I enjoy Levian when I do occasionally walk by a mall store.

 

[aaronl]

As the USPTO link indicates, the term "vanilla diamond" is meaningless except as a marketing tool - like "Corinthian leather" or the panoply of names given to cubic zirconium. "Bracelets; Diamonds; Earrings; Gems; Jewelry; Necklaces; Pendants; Pins being jewelry; Rings; Watches; all of the foregoing made in whole or significant part of diamonds." So if they have a diamond that is... made in whole or in significant part of diamonds... they, and only they, can call it a "vanilla diamond". Vanilla gold means "Jewelry made in whole or significant part of gold". I will not be surprised to find, if they're pursuing a registered trademark, to ultimately learn that a "blueberry sapphire" is a sapphire made in whole or in significant part of sapphire.

I probably would have stayed away from the emphasis on vanilla, as a competitor might distinguish its products, "... because not everybody wants plain vanilla."

In relation to the abbreviations used above, I am not sure if they would appreciate the gemstone community referring to their "blueberry sapphires" as "BS".

 

[FrekeChild]

Lol. You guys missed the "Vanilla Gold"! I believe they are marketing rose gold as "Strawberry Gold" too.

Oh good grief. "Honey Gold"? Let me guess, yellow gold?

ETA: "Blackberry Gold"?! WTF?! Black rhodium plating maybe?

 

[movie zombie]

didn't miss it.....just didn't single it out.
its sad, imo.

 

[pregcurious]

Cheesy marketing aside, it actually confuses me that they have some actually nice, high end pieces. When I think LeVian, I think of low end treated stones, but that is an incorrect assumption. The should separate their high end from their low end pieces with a different name. (Similar to Banana Republic, Gap and Old Navy.)

 

[eastjavaman]

I think I understand what you mean now. So the item doesn't necessarily have special characterstics that makes it stand apart from other similar items, only that other vendors can no longer advertise using words such as VD and BS?

I would like to see vendors use VD and BS Good ones Chrono


Edit: Android system also uses Food Name and they sell very well

 

[chrono]

In relation to the abbreviations used above, I am not sure if they would appreciate the gemstone community referring to their "blueberry sapphires" as "BS".

In looking back at my post above, VD isn't a good abbreviation choice either.