Brilliance Of Me – New Website Highlights Women’s Achievements

Charles & Colvard officially announces their Women of Brilliant Achievement™ program on the company’s newest web site, www.BrillianceofMe.com. The program honors select women from across the country for their outstanding professional achievements, countless contributions to their community, leadership and inspirational qualities. This program and the website aims to celebrate the spirit and achievement of women everywhere and is just one more way that Charles & Colvard is reaching adult women, their key demographic.

The new address for women’s achievement is www.BrillanceofMe.com, a dynamic website featuring testimonials and interviews with women who love moissanite, a monthly newsletter, an insider blog on what is happening at Charles & Colvard, plus tips and trends in the world of fashion and jewelry. The Women of Brilliant Achievement™ will also be a permanent fixture on the site with recipients and their inspirational stories being rolled out throughout the year.

The first recipient is Dr. Christy Shaffer, the President and CEO of Inspire Pharmaceuticals in Durham, NC. In addition to being the CEO of a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company, Dr. Shaffer serves on several non-profit organization boards, supports many charities, mentors young scientists and still finds time to enjoy family life as a wife and mother.

“My career goals had not included becoming a CEO and I did not take the decision lightly to move into the position. Balancing family and work is very important to me,” says Dr. Shaffer. “I am pleased to have been given this Women of Brilliant Achievment™ honor. I believe women can truly ‘shine’ when given the opportunities.”

In addition to being featured on BrillianceofMe.com, winners will also receive a pair of platinum martini stud earrings, set with 4 carat total weight round brilliant moissanite jewels valued at $2,995. Charles & Colvard will also donate a $1,699 pair of 14 karat white gold, 2 carat total weight studs in the recipient’s name to the charity of their choice.

“We wanted to create an environment where women could come to share not only their passion about moissanite, but their personal inspirational stories, vision and challenges faced on a daily basis,” says Charles & Colvard CEO Bob Thomas. “Based on research to date, we discovered that online is the best place to create an interactive marketing tool. We hope it will not only celebrate the successes of women everywhere, but also simultaneously stimulate interest in moissanite.”

ABOUT DR. CHRISTY SHAFFER

Dr. Shaffer is a seasoned pharmaceutical executive and Ph.D. scientist with extensive experience in directing complex drug development processes for innovative products. She joined Inspire as the first full-time employee from Burroughs Wellcome in 1995 as Director of Clinical and was appointed rapidly to VP of Development, Chief Operating Officer and, in 1998, President and Chief Executive Officer and Board member.

Under Dr. Shaffer’s tenure, Inspire became a publicly traded company in 2000, raising $76 million, and has completed five subsequent equity financings, raising an additional $354 million, which includes a $75 million investment by Warburg Pincus in 2007. Dr. Shaffer has received many notable awards including the YWCA Academy of Women 2007 Award in Science and Technology, the Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence in 2004 and Business Woman of the Year in NC 2003, 2004, by the Business Advisory Council in Washington, DC.

Under Dr. Shaffer’s leadership, Inspire was named one of The Scientist’s Best Places to Work in Industry, one of Business North Carolina’s Best Employers in North Carolina and received numerous Best Places to Work Awards for employers in Research Triangle Park. Dr. Shaffer serves on the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) Emerging Companies Section Governing Body, the Foundation Board of Directors of the North Carolina Museum of Art, the Kresge Science Advisory Board for Meredith College, and the NC School of Math and Science Foundation Board.

Dr. Shaffer served as Chair of the CED, which is the oldest and largest organization of its kind in the US, and was a past Board member of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. She also served on the Business Advisory Board for a local venture capital fund, Hatteras BioCapital Fund LC in 2004 and was Co-Chair of the Triangle American Heart Association Walk in 2005. Dr. Shaffer received a B.S. in Biology/Chemistry and a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Tennessee.

For more information about moissanite and Charles & Colvard Ltd., visit www.moissanite.com or www.BrillianceofMe.com


About Charles & Colvard, Ltd.

Charles & Colvard, Ltd. (Nasdaq: CTHR), based in the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina, is the global sole source of lab-created moissanite, a unique, near-colorless jewel that is distinct from other gemstones and jewels based on its exceptional fire, brilliance, luster, durability and rarity. Currently used in fine jewelry, Charles & Colvard created Moissanite™ is primarily marketed to the self-purchasing woman as the perfect reward or indulgence for a woman celebrating her achievements, whether personal or professional, big or small. For more information, please access www.charlesandcolvard.com.

###

Michelle L. Brister
Director of Marketing
Charles & Colvard, Ltd.
300 Perimeter Park Drive, Suite A
Morrisville, NC 27560
919.468.0399 ext. 237
919.468.0486 fax
mbrister@moissanite.com
www.moissanite.com

Contact Information

Michelle L. Brister

Director of Marketing

Charles & Colvard, Ltd

Contact via E-mail