Exhibit 99.1
For Immediate Release
Charles & Colvard Provides First Quarter Sales Guidance
MORRISVILLE, N.C., March 7,, 2005 –Charles & Colvard, (NASDAQ: CTHR) the sole source of moissanite – a created jewel available for use in fine jewelry – today provided first quarter 2005 sales guidance.
First Quarter 2005 Sales Guidance
According to Bob Thomas, President and Chief Executive Officer of Charles & Colvard, “The first quarter of the year is anticipated to show a significant improvement in sales over the same quarter in 2004. Based upon customer orders and indications, we expect first quarter 2005 sales to be between $8.9 million and $9.7 million, or between 59% to 73% ahead of last year’s first quarter sales of $5.6 million.”
Mr. Thomas concludes, “We are having a number of good discussions with jewelry retailers. I look forward to the remainder of 2005.”
CONFERENCE CALL
Management will host a conference call on Tuesday, March 8, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. ET. At that time, Robert S. Thomas, President and Chief Executive Officer, and James R. Braun, Chief Financial Officer will provide a business overview and an update on corporate developments.
After opening remarks, there will be a question and answer period. Interested parties may participate in the call by dialing 888-243-6208 (973-409-9256 for international callers). Please call in 10 minutes before the conference is scheduled to begin and ask for the Charles & Colvard call.
The conference call will also be broadcast live over the Internet. To listen to the live call, please go towww.moissanite.com and click on the Investor Relations section where conference calls are posted. Please go to the website 15 minutes early to download and install any necessary audio software.
If you are unable to listen live, the conference call will be archived online and can be accessed for approximately 90 days. A recorded telephone replay of the call will also be available for approximately one week following the live call. Listeners may dial 877-519-4471 (973-341-3080 for international callers) and use the code #5776653 for the telephone replay.
Charles & Colvard, based in the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina, is the sole source of moissanite, a created jewel used in fine jewelry. Moissanite is near colorless, with more fire, brilliance and luster than a fine diamond, but retails for only a fraction of the cost. For more information, please accesswww.moissanite.com.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of material risks, uncertainties and contingencies that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Those risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to the Company’s ability to manage growth effectively, dependence on Cree Inc. as the current supplier of the substantial majority of the raw material and risks inherent in developing a material second source of supply through Norstel AB; the cost of developing distribution channels, dependence on a limited number of distributors such as K&G Creations and Stuller Settings, Inc., limited operating history, dependence on continued growth and consumer acceptance of the Company’s products, and other risks and uncertainties set forth in the Company’s 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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CONTACT: | -OR- | INVESTOR RELATIONS: | ||
Jim Braun, CFO | Tony Schor | |||
Charles & Colvard | Investor Awareness | |||
(919) 468-0399 Ext. 224 | (847) 945-2222 | |||
jbraun@moissanite.com | tony@investorawareness.com |