While contemplating what to write in this blog, I was struck by the realization of how these beautiful gemstones came to be. Someone with a true knowledge of his craft and the experience and training to develop such unique and exquisite jewelry, had created something truly amazing. That is when I decided we needed to hear it in his own words. The following is an account of how Bill Disinger made his discovery and further examines the Glow of the Caribbean journey.
ALL YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT GLOW OF THE CARIBBEAN
First, I personally would like to say thank you for your interest in our exciting fully patented Jewelry line of Natural colored Gemstones and Diamonds.
A LITTLE BACKGROUND
The project started in our modest small town Jewelry store located in Southern Indiana. The year was 2008 and gold prices had hit an all-time high along with fuel prices. The Jewelry Industry was slumping with the introduction of iPod and Apple brand watch technology was taking the lead over Jewelry as the major gift for the holidays and we knew that we had to do something about it. If we could not find what we were looking for in our Industry we felt we had the training and know-how to create it. My small team of bench Jewelers and sales associates began looking for something totally different to help us standout but yet very real and long-term sustainability; We were not interested in gimmicks but something very real. I along with other colleges in the industry felt that it was an absolute necessity to creating or finding something incredibly new to get our business on the successful path that it had seen since I took over from my Grandfather back in 1983. So, the search began…and began it did.
A SIMPLE IDEA THAT LED TO THE CREATION
By the year 2010 we had come up with the idea from when we were young; taking a magnifying glass turning it on an angle, focusing the light to a convergence point on the ground and creating smoke in leaves or a piece of paper. This simple idea of a magnifying glass became to entire premises of creating our designs. You see a magnifying glass is simply glass; glass has a very low RI (Refractive Index) Gemstone and Diamonds have a much higher RI so the question was posed “WHAT IF” we could change the angles of a Gemstone to create a convergence point of light what would those angles to the gemstone look like? We found out that it was not that much different than that of an old miner cut. Now we knew we had something!
THE DISCOVERY
What we had stumbled on is that the angles to create the same effect of the magnifying glass was VERY SIMILAR TO THAT OF AN OLD EUROPEAN CUT. I Had asked my diamond cutter in Tele-viv to try an experiment with a diamond by cutting it to the angles that we had determined to create the pin point of light on a preset convergence plate below the diamond. In the first attempt it was marginally successful but successful enough to get everyone “very excited”.. …Excited was an understatement as my Diamond cutter who was very reluctant in the beginning to try such a cut called over joyed to the point that I could not understand him saying “It worked It really worked!” I knew with hard work and time we could make it workable to the point that we would be ready for testing with our Customers in our retail location. The work began and after several years of testing the first workable prototype was created. By May of 2013 a long-time customer Terry Everard came in and asked to see me. Terry handed me a nice check and said I want the very first Glowing Diamond that you produce. I told him I was not ready but the design should be ready within one year. He stated that when we were ready, he wants to be first and here is a deposit toward it. I had only a vauge idea what it was going to cost and Terry did not care he simply wanted the first in an engagement ring for his future bride and was willing to wait. Many months later we were ready and the very first design in an engagement ring was compete. My team was happy with the results and Terry received the very first Glow piece that was dubbed the NIGHT GLOW engagement ring. Terry’s now wife Terra is still wearing her NIGHT GLOW ENGAGEMNT RING today and still talks about and receives comments about the beautiful glow.
HOW DOES THE NATURAL GEMSTONE GLOW IN THE Dark?
The natural gemstones glow as result of the specific cut angles to the gemstone that allow for a correct convergence of concentrated light to hit the Pavilion Plate that is properly set under the gemstone allowing for just the right amount of light to converge and create the proper refraction similar the that of focusing a microscope. The Gemstones are so precise in their cut that very few gemstone cutters would consider tackling our stringent production requirements since every gemstone is cut by hand. We are very blessed to work with some of the finest gemstone cutters in the world. THE GEMSTONE GIRDLES ARE POLISHED TO THAT SIMILAR TO THE HUBLE TELESCOPE WITH A TOLERANCE LEVEL OF ONLY + or – 1% margin of error.
WHAT MAKES THE GEMSTONES GLOW ?
First the raw natural gemstones are hand selected by polishing a window into every rough gemstone. Then a trained Gemologist looks at the color density and clarity of the gemstone. We use only the finest ethically sourced gemstones for our cutting factories to cut. These gemstone cutters have been trained by Bill Disinger (who developed the Patented Ocular Brand cuts), they are cut today to our exacting specifications. These patented cut gemstones magnify light to a convergence point on the Pavilion Plate which is set at a predetermined position below the gemstone. This Pavilion plate “cannot” touch the gemstone so there is room for the light to converge allowing for an even glow across the gemstone. The Pavilion Pate is infused with our rare earth Phosphor that is as hard as a rock and will last a life time of proper care. It is the rare earth Phosphor that allows for the storage of UV light during the day and can reflect it back out into gemstone in the dark of the night. It is the pavilion facets (The bottom side of the gemstone) that are specifically designed to let light bounce back up inside the gemstone).
Our signature Checkerboard top or Dome to the Natural Gemstones allows the light to bounce across the Pavilion Plate helping to create the even Natural Glow that you see in your Illuminated Natural gemstone. We use very specific coloration to optimize the ability to create a perfect bounce of light off of the Pavilion Plate. We also use Natural Gemstones that are extremely clean with very few if any inclusions.
“Afterall if there are any major inclusions inside the gemstone you will see them in the dark of the night as you gaze into the glowing facets and see the hypnotic dance of light across your gemstone”.
WHAT IS THE PAVILION PLATE?
Over the years many people ask how it works. Now that we have multiple USA Patents and Provisional Patents all over the word (see Patent list at the bottom of this page) we can talk in more detail about the workings of the Patent. The Pavilion Plate is the name given to the Plate that sits a short distance away but directly under the gemstone. This plate cannot touch the gemstone and is set a specified distance from the bottom of the gemstone. The belly or bottom of the gemstone is called the Pavilion so it was only fitting to call the plate where the convergence of light touches as the Pavilion Plate. This plate is specifically designed of gold or silver. It is highly polished and is embedded with the rare earth material of inert phosphor.
WHAT IS AN INERT RARE EARTH PHOSPHOR?
Rare earth phosphors are one of earth’s natural phenomenon of luminescence. It is rare and it is totally inert which means it can not hurt you. We only use ethically sourced rare earth Phosphors that have been successfully proven over many years of safe use by other leading brands. You will find the same rare earth Phosphors in Luxury watches and medical equipment with certifications from such international research companies as REACH in the USA or RoHS in Europe. (We have those certificates on file in our corporate office).
HOW DOES THE UV INDEX EFECT THE GLOW IN MY ILLUMINATED GEMSTONE?
First let’s understand what a UV Index is and what it is used for. The UV Index stands for Ultraviolet Light and it comes from the sun. It is the same light that causes you to get a tan. The stronger the UV index the faster you tan or get a sun burn. If you open up your smart phone and go to the weather app. Scroll down on a specific town toward the bottom of the page you will see the UV index the number associated with the index ranges from 0 which is no UV light and is usually late in the evening or dark of the night. The index of 0 could be associated with a very cloudy or a winter day where the angle of the sun is low in the sky. The range to start charging the rare earth phosphors imbedded into your Jewelry piece is usually a 3 to 4 index anything above that number is better for your gemstones glow. A good UV index for a strong afterglow in the dark is 8. The highest UV index was recorded in Cusco Peru with an index reading of 25. If you were your Jewelry piece in a Suntan bed it might scare you to see how strong it is glowing. Customers have said it looks almost on fire.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR MY ILLUMINATED JEWELRY TO BECOME FULLY CHARGED?
If you are outside in bright light with a strong UV index it takes about 45 minutes to one hour of full sun light to charge your center natural gemstone. Please keep in mind that everyday weather conditions are different so the natural glow of your center gemstone may be somewhat different.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT TO SEE ONCE THE ILLUMINATED JEWELRY IS REMOVED FROM THE SUN LIGHT?
When you come in from outside it takes several seconds to adjust to the new lighting conditions. These are the photons in your eyes adjusting to the difference in light. The darker a room the more your pupils dilate and open up; the more the pupils open the darker the room. In a totally dark area is where you will get the strongest afterglow effect. IF you are out taking a night walk in the dark, if you are driving your car outside of the city lights or in a dark movie theater you will see the subtle glow of your center gemstone. Your gemstone will not be obvious in a well-lighted restaurant or possibly even in a dim room depending on how strong the UV Index was during the day and how long you where out in the sun during the day. One thing for sure is that if you leave your Jewelry next to your bed at night there will forever be a reminder of that special occasion.
IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO TO SHOW OF MY AFTERGLOW IF I HAVE NOT BEEN OUT IN THE SUN?
Yes, the way you can super charge your gemstone faster is to use the Gem-Light. (Available on this website or from an authorized retail Jeweler). The Gem-Light is a specifically developed gem instrument that resembles a key chain flash light. Our Gem-Light emits a high level of UV light in a concentrated manor that will super charge the glow of your gemstone in a few short seconds. Simply hold the Gem-light directly on the top surface of the center Gemstone for 3 to 5 seconds and look at the amazing afterglow with a play of light on the facets with an almost kaleidoscopic dance of glowing light. Its truly amazing to watch. The Gem-Light requires a single 1.5 volt AAA battery that will last for a long period of time. Your friends will be amazed.
NOTICE: If you wake up in the middle of the night you might think the afterglow of your center gemstone has become brighter. We hear this often and it is due to your eyes adjusting to the dark of the night.
HOW LONG WILL THE AFTERGLOW LAST IN THE DARK?
The afterglow will last up to 8 hours in the dark of the night. It all depends on the UV index during the day and how much time you spend out doors in the sunshine. Even if it is somewhat cloudy during the day your gemstones afterglow may surprise you.
It is important to keep your center gemstone clean, the cleaner the better. It the same as looking through a telescope if the lens is not clean you can not expect to see much so please keep your center Gemstone clean. Remember this is a Natural effect and different conditions effect the outcome; however, you will have may years of beautiful afterglow night after night if you keep oils and debit out of your jewelry?
HOW DO I CLEAN MY GLOW OF THE CARIBBEAN JEWELRY?
Your Patented Glow of the Caribbean Jewelry piece is cleaned just like any other jewelry that you have. If anything, it will be stronger and more durable then most jewelry. You can have you Jeweler steam clean your Jewelry and Ultrasonic clean your piece. If you want to have it polished your Jeweler can do that as well. Your Jewelry piece can even be dipped or what is actually called Rhodium plating. Please note that in order for your Jewelry piece to maintain its afterglow the piece must be dry. Water or cleaning solutions under the gemstone will not hurt your piece but it must dry out in order to start absorbing sunlight and to reflect back the beautiful afterglow in the dark. It is highly recommended to only use a clean ultrasonic bath and not use dirty cleaning fluids. As in any Jewelry it is not recommended to leave your jewelry in any Ultrasonic for more then 15 minutes. The chemicals could start a reaction to any metal causing an oxidation, especially strong or fresh cleaning solutions. Heated ultrasonics are also fine to uses.
One fun point is a story that we have heard over and over. When you take your Jewelry piece to your Jeweler you may warn them that this is a Glow of the Caribbean piece. The reason is because when the Jeweler steam cleans an Ultrasonic Jewelry piece the friction of the steam across the gemstone creates a Triboluminescence effect or glowing effect to the center gemstone. (Triboluminescence is the striking of 2 diamonds or gemstones together; the same effect is created if you steam clean your Glow of the Caribbean piece. This comes as such a surprise to Jewelers that have not been told the Jewelry is Glow of the Caribbean that in many cases the jeweler to quickly drop the piece as it begins to glow during steaming. Notice the surprise in their eyes as they return your jewelry piece to you.
CAN I SWIM IN MY GLOW OF THE CARIBBEAN JEWELRY?
Your Glow of the Caribbean Jewelry was designed to be around water and the outdoors. Please wear your piece with confidence and the security to know that we design Jewelry to last a life time. We hope that you will love the quality and afterglow so much that you will pass it down for generations and please always know that we are here for you if you ever have any questions, drop us an email or call us. If we are not available we will call you back.
WHERE DO I GO IF MY GLOW OF THE CARIBBEAN JEWELRY NEEDS SERVICED?
If for some reason your Glow of the Caribbean Jewelry piece has been damaged, needs sized or has something stuck under the gemstone from some debit simply call your authorized retailer that you purchased it from or you can send it to our highly trained Service Center for any repairs or questions. For a list of service centers or for your retail Jewelers phone number please see the list in our website. If you need to contact our corporate office you can reach us at +1 (812) 817-3100 and use extension #5 for technical questions. If it is afterhours please leave a message or you may also send up an email at info@glowofthecaribbean.com we will get back to you within 24 hours unless it is a weekend or Holiday and it might possibly be the first of the week. You can also Google our phone number since we are all over the Internet.
WHAT IS MY GUARANTEE?
IF for any reason you have any problem or question about your Glow of the Caribbean Jewelry call the retailer that you purchased it from or call us at our USA or St. Kitts retail offices. Its our goal to see you are very happy with your treasure from the Islands.
You have a 3 year guarantee against defects of any kind. You also have a 30 day money back guarantee from our website. If for some reason you are not completely happy with your purchase simply return your purchase to the retailer that it was purchased from for a full refund less any shipping expensed. Different retailers have different rules please consult your retailer about their return policies.
The bottom line is that it is our goal to see to it that your experience with Glow of the Caribbean will make you glow for many years. We can write all of the guarantees in the world but when it comes right down to it simply let us know how we can service you. It’s truly that simple.
