Real Pink Diamonds, Real Yellow diamonds - grown by man rather than mined!

We are the web's premier source for stunning, lab-grown pink, blue and yellow diamonds. Real diamond, cut to exacting specifications, but grown in a laboratory rather than mined.

Various rings showing our blue and yellow diamonds

All our inventory is *real* diamond; All are accompanied by an independent gemological grading report as your assurance of quality.

If you are unfamiliar with what a genuine cultured, or lab-grown, diamond is, please visit here for more info.

To answer the most common question: All Takara's will test positive on any form of diamond tester...because Takaras are *real* diamond (same molecular composition as mined diamonds). The difference is Takaras are grown in a laboratory and due to the cost savings by not having to mine hundreds of tons of rock, Takaras can be purchased at a fraction of the price of their mined counterparts. Our lab-grown Yellow Diamonds often sell for 1/7th the price of equivalent mined yellow diamonds and our lab-grown pink diamonds are offered for as little as 1/25th the price of their mined pink diamond equivalent.

Speaking of mined counterparts, here are a few quotes related to the value of natural pink and blue diamonds as compared to whites:

“A fine pink or blue diamond of unquestionable color, meaning, you see the pink or blue, can cost 10 to 50 times more than a white diamond of the same size”
LA Times

"...pink diamonds are known to command prices exceeding $400,000 per carat..."
National Jeweler Network

"To put the true rarity of these special 'pink' diamonds into perspective, from every million carats of rough [white] diamonds produced at the mine, a mere one carat [of pinks] is suitable for sale..."
From Rio Tinto website [Rio Tinto owns the Argyle mines, the source of 90% of the worlds pink mined diamonds].

In our experience, the more you know about the rarity and beauty of colored natural diamonds, the more you can appreciate the beauty and value that our Takara lab-grown diamonds can offer. Our pink diamonds are often available for selling prices equivalent to 5% of the price you would pay to buy the equivalent pink if it was mined instead of grown in the lab.

Obama wins in earliest vote Updated at: 1054 PST, Tuesday, November 04, 2008
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Democrat Barack Obama came up a big winner in the presidential race in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, where the nation's first Election Day votes were cast and counted early Tuesday.

Obama defeated Republican John McCain 15-6. Independent Ralph Nader was also on the ballot, but received no votes.

The first voter, following a tradition established in 1948, was picked ahead of the midnight voting and the rest of the town's registered voters followed suit in Tuesday's first minutes.

President Zardari leaves for Saudi Arabia
Updated at: 1325 PST, Tuesday, November 04, 2008
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari left for Saudi Arabia on a two-day official visit.

Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Law Minister Farooq Naek, Babar Awan, Federal Minister for local bodies Ghulam Ahmad Bilur, Raja Riaz, Advisor for Religious Affairs Hamid Kazmi and advisor Rukhsana Bangesh are part of president’s delegation.

President Asif Ali Zardari will hold wide-ranging talks with Saudi leadership and to discuss ways to seek more investment from the Saudi entrepreneurs in energy, infrastructure development, agriculture and industrial sectors.

The President will arrive in Jeddah and hold meetings with Saudi King and exchange views on bilateral, regional and international issues during his stay.

Hundreds die in Balochistan earthquake
Updated at: 2314 PST, Wednesday, October 29, 2008
QUETTA: The death toll in Wednesday’s strong earthquake in Balochistan has mounted to over 200 while a large number of people are still trapped under the debris of collapsed houses and other structures.

Ziarat was the most affected district where maximum deaths occurred due to the deadly quake.

The rescue and relief operation is being carried out with full strength while succor is being airlifted and transported through road from Karachi and Islamabad to the quake-stricken areas.

Twelve helicopters and one C-130 of Pak Army are taking part in the relief operation.

Pak Army has also set up a tent village consisting of 2000 tents where eatables are being provided to the affectees.

The 6.5 magnitude tremor struck villages and small towns 45 miles north of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, around, 4:33 a.m.

Strong aftershocks were also felt at about 5 PM in Quetta, Sibi, Noshki and adjoining areas.

The Sindh Health Minister has declared a red alert in Karachi’s hospitals in case the injured patients are shifted to the city.

Balochistan quake toll soars to 35
Updated at: 1014 PST, Wednesday, October 29, 2008
QUETTA: The death toll of quake that hit parts of Balochistan on Wednesday morning has reached to thirty-five.

Pishin, Ziarat, Qila Abdullah, Chaman, Loralai, Sibbi, Mastung are hit badly areas. Several houses and buildings have been collapsed.

According to meteorological department the epicenter of the quake was in Chiltan mountains. Ziarat is the worst hit area where 10 people were killed after land sliding whereas four people were killed in Khanozai. Death toll in different parts of Balchistan has reached to 33. Ten bodies had recovered from the rubbles and shifted to hospital in Ziarat.

According to ISPR, contingents of FC have been dispatched in affected areas for rescue operations along with medical team. Two army helicopters have also been sent in Wachun and Kowas villages for rescue operations.

IGFC Major General Salim Nawaz said that so far 20 to 30 people have been killed in the quake.

Syria: US choppers attack village near Iraq border

Updated at: 0432 PST, Monday, October 27, 2008

DAMASCUS: U.S. military helicopters attacked territory inside Syria close to its border with Iraq Sunday, killing eight people in a strike the Syrian government condemned as "serious aggression."

A U.S. military official said the raid by special forces targeted the foreign fighter network that travels through Syria into Iraq in an area where the Americans have been unable to shut it down because it was out of the military's reach.

"We are taking matters into our own hands," the official told media on condition of anonymity because of the political sensitivity of cross-border raids.

The attack came just days after the commander of U.S. forces in western Iraq said American troops were redoubling efforts to secure the Syrian border, which he called an "uncontrolled" gateway for fighters entering Iraq.

A Syrian government statement carried by the official Syrian News Agency said the helicopters attacked the Sukkariyeh Farm near the town of Abu Kamal, five miles inside the Syrian border. Four helicopters attacked a civilian building under construction shortly before sundown and fired on workers inside, the statement said.

The area is near the Iraqi border city of Qaim, which had been a major crossing point for fighters, weapons and money coming into Iraq to fuel the Sunni insurgency.

Syria's Foreign Ministry said it summoned the charges d'affaires of the United States and Iraq to protest against the strike.

The foreign fighters network sends militants from North Africa and elsewhere in the Middle East to Syria, where elements of the Syrian military are in league with al-Qaida and loyalists of Saddam Hussein's Baath party.

The U.S. military official said that while American forces have had considerable success, with Iraqi help, in shutting down the "rat lines" in Iraq, and with foreign government help in North Africa, the Syrian node has been out of reach.

Dog risks life for kittens in Australia

Updated at: 1026 PST, Monday, October 27, 2008

SYDNEY: A dog has risked its life to protect four kittens trapped in a house fire in Melbourne.

Firefighters found Leo guarding the kittens, which were in a cardboard box in one of the bedrooms.

When the fire broke out inside the house, the family of four plus their other dog managed to escape.

However Leo paid the price for his bravery. He succumbed to the smoke and heat.

Firefighters rushed the dog to safety and revived the unconscious Leo with a heart massage and oxygen.

Indian troops kill 5 Kashmir freedom fighters

Updated at: 1939 PST, Monday, October 27, 2008

SRINAGAR: Five suspected members of the Islamic militant Hizbul Mujahideen group were killed Monday by Indian Army soldiers in the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir, army sources said.

The soldiers launched a search operation in the Nawapitchi area of Kishtwar district, about 250 kilometres west of the state's winter capital, Jammu, after a tip-off, the sources said.

Five militants were killed in an exchange of fire, they added.

Army officials said the operation was important as militants were infiltrating the region from across the border with Pakistan, possibly with plans to disrupt elections in the state.

India's Election Commission has announced a seven-phase staggered election in Jammu and Kashmir from November 17 to December 24.

Meanwhile, there was an undeclared curfew in the summer capital, Srinagar, as security forces stopped people from moving on the streets and into shops and offices remained closed.

The move was aimed at preventing any incidents in view of a call by separatist groups to form a human chain in the Lal Chowk area in the centre of the city to protest recent actions by security forces against demonstrators, local administration officials said.

Protests against a land allotment to a Hindu temple earlier this year snowballed into agitation for greater autonomy and self-determination in the predominantly Muslim Kashmir valley region of Jammu and Kashmir.

Over 100 missing, 7,000 homeless in Yemen rains, flood

Updated at: 0452 PST, Tuesday, October 28, 2008

SANAA: More than 100 people are missing while over 7,000 have become homeless in heavy rains and flood in Yemen.

According to the officials, people in large number have been affected by the flood followed by rains continued for the last few days.

Rescue teams, chiefly using military helicopters, are continuing operations to help people affected by the flood, especially in isolated villages.

President Ali Abdullah Saleh has called the parlaiment’s meeting for approving 100 million dollars for rescue operation and reconstruction in the affected areas.

Oil prices fall in Asian trade Updated at: 1309 PST, Tuesday, October 28, 2008

SINGAPORE: World oil prices fell in Asian trade Tuesday on concerns a global recession will hurt energy demand, dealers said.

New York's main contract, light sweet crude for December delivery fell 89 cents to 62.33 dollars a barrel. In Monday trades, the New York contract dipped to 61.30 dollars at one point, a level last seen in May 2007.

Brent North Sea crude for December delivery dropped 1.28 dollars to 60.13 dollars. The contract sank below the 60-dollar level Monday to as low as 59.02 dollars, its lowest point since February 2007.

Rupee against dollar stable

Updated at: 1558 PST, Tuesday, October 28, 2008

KARACHI: The value of rupee against dollar in the inter-bank today remained stable, as it closed at Rs81.60.

Forex market dealers said that the rupee against dollar in inter-bank today remained stable, while the dollar during business was also seen traded at Rs81.65. Currency dealers said that the dollar buying pressure from the importers also remained less today.

Analysts said that the rupee could be seen under pressure in the days to come due to Moody’s downgrading of Pakistan’s credit rating. Diminishing foreign exchange reserves, hiking import bills, foreign investors’ disinterest and exports falling short of expectations were weakening the rupee, said the analysts. On the other hand, dollar in the open market traded at Rs84.50

2 kids among 5 killed in Multan roof collapse Updated at: 1234 PST, Tuesday, October 28, 2008
MULTAN: Five people including two children have been killed when a roof of a house has been collapsed in Multan on Tuesday.

According to rescue sources, five people have been killed when roof of a house in Wahdat colony has been collapsed. The bodied have been recovered from the rubbles. Rescue operations are underway for the recovery of the people trapped in the rubble.

Pak, Afghan jirga agrees to hold talks with Taliban, militants Updated at: 1327 PST, Tuesday, October 28, 2008
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan-Afghanistan mini jirga has agreed to hold talks with Taliban and militants on both sides of the border.

The meeting of a mini-jirga reviewed law and order situation in border areas and different proposals to contact with militant groups on Tuesday.

Sources told Geo News that both the parties have agreed to hold dialogue with Taliban and considered names for dialogue committees. Both sides would likely form five committees each for negotiations with Taliban.

The decisions taken in the two-day jirga would be announced formally in a press briefing in the evening today.

Security forces strike at militants’ hideouts in Swat

Updated at: 1547 PST, Tuesday, October 28, 2008

SWAT: Security forces imposed indefinite curfew in tehsil Kabal and Matta of Swat and carried shelling at militants’ hideouts from Kanju check post whereas unknown persons torched a girls school in Mangora.

Accroding to sources, curfew has been imposed in Sarsanai, Tatanu Bandai, Kotlai, Hazara, Aligarama, Wanai Check post and Brampul areas of tehsil Kabal and Matta in Swat.

Meanwhile, unknown persons set a blaze a girls school in Odigaram area near Mangora. Security forces started shelling at militants’ hideouts from FC check post Kanju, however, no loss of life was reported.

Trinidad beat Middlesex in Antigua twenty20 Updated at: 1226 PST, Tuesday, October 28, 2008

ANTIGUA: A superbly paced 41 off 28 balls by Denesh Ramdin powered Trinidad and Tobago to victory over Middlesex in the battle of the trans-Atlantic Twenty20 champions and with it the prize of US$280,000.

Middlesex started slowly, and at the halfway point of the innings were 40-4. Eoin Morgan made 30 and Neil Dexter hit two fours and three sixes in 39 from 25 balls as 37 came from the final three overs and Middlesex mustered 117-8.

Middlesex had their opponents at 50-4 after 11 overs, but three catches went down, Denesh Ramdin hit 41 and a Darren Bravo six won it with four balls left.

The victory was worth $280,000, not the $20m for which England and Stanford Superstars compete on Saturday, but rather more than taken at an early season match at Southgate.

Moody’s cuts Pakistan rating to B3 from B2 Updated at: 1357 PST, Tuesday, October 28, 2008

LONDON: International rating agency, Moody’s International has cut down Pakistan Bonds’ rating to B3 from B2.

International rating agency, Moody’s International’s analyst, Aninda Mitra said that the persistently depleting foreign reserves, deficit in balance of payments and failing to arrange immediate assistance from the global monetary organizations were the basic reasons of the downgrading of Pakistan’s credit rating. He said that the suspense in IMF loans also negatively impacted Pakistan’s rating.

The analysts further said that Pakistan economy facing threats from the global recession too, while the country would also have to take measures for the recovery of its export proceeds in a bid to enhance its foreign exchange reserves. It may be recalled that Moody’s in September also had changed Pakistan’s outlook from stable to negative.

N Korea threatens to turn S Korea into 'debris' Updated at: 1041 PST, Tuesday, October 28, 2008

SEOUL: North Korea on Tuesday threatened to turn South Korea into "debris" unless Seoul stops what it described as a policy of confrontation.

"The puppet authorities had better bear in mind that the advanced preemptive strike of our own style will reduce everything to debris, not just setting them on fire," the North's military said in a statement.

"It will turn out to be a just war... to build an independent reunified state on it," it added.

Pakistan needs trade ties more than aids: FM
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan needed trade ties more than aids.

Following talks with the German foreign minister, while addressing a joint press conference, Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that the German government has been requested to lend support to Pakistan in the European Union. He said that the economic, political and military ties were focused in the talks.

World stock markets under pressure

Updated at: 2122 PST, Monday, October 27, 2008 NEW YORK: Recession fears sent world stock markets tumbling Monday, with Tokyo at a 26-year low, Europe badly under water and Wall Street struggling to hold the line despite a G7 pledge to stabilise the financial system. Oil prices fell below 60 dollars as traders estimated that a global recession would dent future energy demand. The European single currency sank under 1.24 dollars to a two-year trough after a downbeat survey on German business confidence pointed to a likely recession in the eurozone's biggest economy, analysts warned. Markets were also shaken after the IMF unveiled rescue plans for Ukraine and Hungary, South Korea cut interest rates, Japan announced action to boost its stock market and Australia's central bank intervened to prop up its currency. "There seems to be no end to the panic in the markets with recession fears now topping investor concerns," said Dresdner Kleinwort analyst Valentin Marinov. CMC Markets dealer Matt Buckland said that "after last week's turmoil in equity markets, many had been hoping that the new week would bring about a degree of stability but ... so far there's little to suggest this will be the case." US stocks opened weaker Monday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average sliding 1.01 percent to 8,294.52 points but then recovered to inch into positive territory in volatile trade. "It is fear that is driving the market and the prevailing fear now is that 2009 earnings estimates will need to be marked down considerably as global economies retrench," said Patrick O'Hare at Briefing.com. "Another fear the market can't shake is the fear of forced selling by troubled hedge funds." Japan's Nikkei index plunged 6.36 percent, striking its lowest level since October 1982, on fears that emergency steps by world governments will be too late to prevent a worldwide recession. Hong Kong lost 12.7 percent in the biggest single-day drop since 1991 as investors dumped stocks. The fresh equities turmoil came despite a pledge by the Group of Seven major economies to cooperate to bring stability to the global financial markets. In Europe, London dived to a five-year trough as the market continued to digest news that the British economy was on the brink of recession after negative growth in the third quarter. In morning deals, London's FTSE 100 index of top shares plunged 5.62 percent but later pared losses to 1.83 percent. Paris shares were down 3.79 percent in mid-afternoon trade while the DAX in Frankfurt shed 2.23 percent after steeper falls in earlier trading. German business confidence dropped to its lowest point for more than five years in October, a key survey showed, as the economy reeled from the international financial crisis. The monthly business climate index calculated by Munich-based economic research institute Ifo fell to 90.2 points in October from 92.9 points in September for its fifth straight drop and its lowest level since May 2003, when it reached 89.6 points. "Germany is heading for a serious recession," warned Bank of America senior economist Holger Schmiedling in response to the Ifo data. "With business confidence declining at a record pace, the economy looks set to shrink noticeably in late 2008 and early 2009." The Group of Seven nations -- comprising Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States -- sought to calm nerves by affirming their "shared interest in a strong and stable international financial system." At the same time, they voiced concern about "excessive volatility" in the yen, which Friday soared to a 13-year high against the dollar as worried investors fled to the relative safety of the Japanese currency. Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso announced fresh measures to support the ailing stock market, including a bigger government fund to pump capital into banks if needed. The renewed stock market turmoil came as the International Monetary Fund moved to bail out Ukraine and Hungary which have suffered badly. Markets expect fresh steps by global authorities this week to try to stabilise shaky markets, with the US Federal Reserve widely anticipated to cut interest rates on Wednesday, leading the way for others to follow.

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