EditorsNov 09, 2022
‘Ice Cold’ Is a Visual Love Letter to Jewelry’s Role in Hip-Hop Lab-GrownApr 18, 2023
Tom Chatham Has Written a Book About His Family
It details the family’s history and legacy in the world of lab-grown gems and is set for release at the JCK show in Las Vegas.
Tom Chatham, left, has written his first book, “The Chatham Legacy, An American Story.” It will be available to purchase at the JCK jewelry trade show in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas—Tom Chatham, president of Chatham Created Gems Inc., has written a book about his family and the role they have played in the world of lab-created gemstones.
“The Chatham Legacy, An American Story,” is set to be released at the upcoming JCK show in Las Vegas.
The 219-page book is described as, “a look inside the true story behind the original lab-grown company,” that is a “must-read for everyone in the industry who wants to a gain a real understanding of how this category came to be.”
After experimenting with gemstone growing in the garage of his parents’ San Francisco home, chemistry-loving Carroll Chatham—Tom’s father—started Chatham Created Gems in 1938 after figuring out how to reliably produce emeralds.
“The Chatham Legacy” details these early days of experimentation, as well as the company’s battle with the Federal Trade Commission over the term “created,” a fight it ultimately won in 1963.
“Many thousands of dollars were spent to change this one little word, from ‘cultured’ to ‘created,’” Tom writes in the book. “Everyone felt relieved and positive for the future. Chatham-Created Emerald was born.”
The industry’s back-and-forth with the FTC over terminology for man-made stones continues today, from the recent revisions to the Jewelry Guides regarding terminology around lab-grown diamonds to the FTC’s current review of the “Green Guides,” which still are open for public comment.
Related stories will be right here …
“The Chatham Legacy, An American Story,” is set to be released at the upcoming JCK show in Las Vegas.
The 219-page book is described as, “a look inside the true story behind the original lab-grown company,” that is a “must-read for everyone in the industry who wants to a gain a real understanding of how this category came to be.”
After experimenting with gemstone growing in the garage of his parents’ San Francisco home, chemistry-loving Carroll Chatham—Tom’s father—started Chatham Created Gems in 1938 after figuring out how to reliably produce emeralds.
“The Chatham Legacy” details these early days of experimentation, as well as the company’s battle with the Federal Trade Commission over the term “created,” a fight it ultimately won in 1963.
“Many thousands of dollars were spent to change this one little word, from ‘cultured’ to ‘created,’” Tom writes in the book. “Everyone felt relieved and positive for the future. Chatham-Created Emerald was born.”
The industry’s back-and-forth with the FTC over terminology for man-made stones continues today, from the recent revisions to the Jewelry Guides regarding terminology around lab-grown diamonds to the FTC’s current review of the “Green Guides,” which still are open for public comment.
The book also details the company’s journey to educate and try to win acceptance from the trade.
“Just to give you an idea how prehistoric the gemological world was back then, I have personal correspondences from 1947 from Richard T. Liddicoat, then president of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), which was training jewelers to become professional gemologists, asking Carroll for any suggestions he may have on separating his emeralds from natural,” Tom states in the book.
According to the book, one of Liddicoat’s letters reads, “Since your product is so beautifully made and compares so favorably to fine natural material, we doubt that it would be possible to teach a method of identification by recognition of the differences between inclusion in your product and in natural emerald.”
After emeralds, Carroll expanded to growing rubies in 1958, alexandrite in 1972, and different varieties of sapphire beginning in 1975, among other gems.
When Tom joined the family business in 1965, he focused on creating business opportunities for the gemstones his father was growing. He writes in the book, “The courts may have given Chatham-Created Emerald its blessing, but certain sectors of the jewelry industry did not—and some never would.”
Tom will be in Las Vegas during the JCK show signing copies of his book. His company exhibits in the Plumb Club Pavilion, PC-700.
It is available in hardcover only and costs $90. In addition to Chatham, both GIA and Vancouver, British Columbia-based Branko Gem Labs will be selling copies of the book.
To pre-order or reserve a copy, call 800-222-2002 or email sales@chatham.com.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Lab-Grown
The Latest
MajorsMar 13, 2025
Tanishq Opens 2 New Stores in the U.S.The Indian jewelry brand recently opened stores in Atlanta and Seattle.
FinancialsMar 13, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s 2024 Sales Struggled Amid Engagement RecoveryCEO Beth Gerstein shared its most popular price points, what’s trending in non-bridal fine jewelry, and its holiday performance.
CollectionsMar 13, 2025
Chopard Unveils High Jewelry Collection Created From 6,225-Carat Emerald The 15 pieces were crafted from the “Insofu” emerald, discovered in Zambia in 2010.
Brought to you by
Watch: GIA Field Gemology at the One-Hundredth Expedition: A Look Back and to the FutureSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
MajorsMar 13, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Names New CFO, TreasurerChris Anderson is joining the insurance provider as the new chief financial officer and treasurer.
Weekly QuizMar 06, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingMar 12, 2025
5 Factors That Will Impact the Diamond Industry in 2025The industry is changing as it grapples with new realities around distribution, supply, and the need for consistent, effective marketing.
SourcingMar 12, 2025
Q&A: New GJEPC Chairman Kirit BhansaliBhansali discusses the potential impact of U.S. tariffs, demand for diamonds by market, and the “cautious confidence” in India right now.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
SourcingMar 12, 2025
Indian Leader, Retailer Among 2025 DDG Honorees Govind Dholakia and Tanishq will be recognized for their contributions to the industry at the Diamonds Do Good Awards in Las Vegas.
IndependentsMar 12, 2025
Marla Aaron Migrates to LondonThe New York City-based brand has opened its first U.K. location with a permanent shop-in-shop at Liberty in London.
AuctionsMar 12, 2025
A Medieval Bishop’s Sapphire Ring Is Going Up for SaleA metal detectorist discovered the ring that is believed to have belonged to a bishop in the late 12th to early 13th century.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2025
JA New York Announces Education, Live Demo LineupsOrganizers looked to new partnerships and interactive experiences to enhance the spring show, set for March 16 to 18.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2025
Bogolo Joy Kenewendo to Speak at Annual JVC LuncheonKenewendo, Botswana’s minister of minerals and energy, will discuss the future of diamonds.
CrimeMar 11, 2025
Man in Florida Swallows Allegedly Stolen Tiffany & Co. Jewelry The suspect allegedly stole almost $800,000 worth of diamond jewelry from a store in Orlando and then swallowed it during a traffic stop.
ColumnistsMar 11, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Pose on the Red CarpetAhead of the Gem Awards on Friday, Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share pro tips for taking the best photos.
CollectionsMar 11, 2025
Marco Bicego Celebrates 25 Years With Collection, CampaignFounded in 2000, Marco Bicego is commemorating its milestone anniversary with a “25 Best” collection and campaigns honoring its heritage.
TechnologyMar 11, 2025
Hill & Co. Launches New B2B Buyer DatabaseThose attending the company’s upcoming Zoom workshop will receive early access to “The List,” its new resource for finding buyers.
Events & AwardsMar 11, 2025
JSA to Honor GIA Employee at Annual LuncheonThe organization will present an award to Amy-Elise Signeavsky, law enforcement and diamond recovery manager at GIA.
MajorsMar 10, 2025
Terry Chandler to Retire After 24 Years as Head of DCA Chandler started his jewelry career at Michelson Jewelers, joining the Diamond Council of America as president and CEO in 2001.
CollectionsMar 10, 2025
MaeVona Co-Founder Debuts 3D-Printed ‘Tùsaire’ CollectionScottish American designer Maeve Gillies collaborated with Platinum Guild International on jewelry created by direct metal 3D printing.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2025
The Jewelry Symposium Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersAhead of its trade show in May, TJS awarded free registration and accommodations to five up-and-coming jewelry industry professionals.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2025
These Designers, Journalists, and Retailers Are Up for a Gem Award The 2025 Gem Awards are set to take place Friday at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.
MajorsMar 07, 2025
Jane Fonda, Mariska Hargitay Star in Pomellato’s IWD CampaignThe annual star-studded campaign for International Women’s Day encourages collective action against domestic violence.
CollectionsMar 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yeprem’s ‘Golden Strada’ NecklaceThe statement piece is seen in Yeprem’s new “You Play the Game” campaign, created for International Women’s Day.
MajorsMar 07, 2025
Borsheims Names New Senior Security and Facilities ManagerLongtime employee Kyle Slosson has been promoted to the role.
IndependentsMar 06, 2025
Wixon Jewelers to Close After 37 YearsFirst-generation jewelers Dan and Hope Wixon are retiring and will close their Minneapolis-area jewelry store in May.
CollectionsMar 06, 2025
Guzema, 3.1 Phillip Lim Collab on New ‘Snake’ DesignsThe limited-edition collection, a nod to the Year of the Snake, is Ukrainian brand Guzema’s first partnership with a U.S. brand.
