Matthew Wilson remembers the day a newly engaged customer came to get her two-carat ring appraised.

Is it or isn't it? Real, that is.

Charles & Colvard, Ltd., the sole source of moissanite, reported an increase of 118 percent in third quarter sales to $11.3 million, compared with the corresponding period of 2004. For the quarter ending September 30, 2005, the company’s operating income surged to $3.1 million, an increase of 372 percent over the previous corresponding period. Net income, in the third quarter increased 639 percent to $2.2 million.