Employee Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement



 Exhibit 10.78 
  
 CHARLES & COLVARD, LTD. 
 1997 OMNIBUS STOCK PLAN 
  
 Employee Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement 
  
 THIS
AGREEMENT (together with Schedule A, attached hereto, the “Agreement”), effective as of the date specified as the Grant Date (the “Grant Date”) on Schedule A, attached hereto, between CHARLES & COLVARD, LTD., a North Carolina
corporation (the “Corporation”), and the individual identified on Schedule A, an employee of the Corporation or a related corporation (the “Participant”); 
  
 R E C I T A L S : 
  
 In furtherance of the purposes of the 1997 Omnibus Stock Plan of Charles & Colvard, Ltd.,
as amended and restated and as it may be hereafter amended (the “Plan”), the Corporation and the Participant hereby agree as follows: 
  
 Incorporation of Plan. The rights and duties of the Corporation and the Participant under this Agreement shall in all respects be subject to and governed by the
provisions of the Plan, a copy of which is delivered herewith or has been previously provided to the Participant and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any conflict between the provisions in the Agreement and
those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall govern. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms in this Agreement shall have the same definitions as set forth in the Plan. 
  
 Grant of Option; Term of Option. The Corporation hereby grants to the Participant pursuant to the Plan, as a matter of separate
inducement and agreement in connection with his or her employment or service to the Corporation, and not in lieu of any salary or other compensation for his or her services, the right and Option (the “Option”) to purchase all or any part
of such aggregate number of shares (the “Shares”) of common stock of the Corporation (the “Common Stock”) at a purchase price (the “Option Price”) as specified on Schedule A, and subject to such other terms and
conditions as may be stated herein or in the Plan or on Schedule A. The Participant expressly acknowledges that the terms of Schedule A shall be incorporated herein by reference and shall constitute part of this Agreement. The Corporation and the
Participant further acknowledge and agree that the signatures of the Corporation and the Participant on the Grant Notice contained in Schedule A shall constitute their acceptance of all of the terms of this Agreement and their agreement to be bound
by the terms of this Agreement. The Option shall be designated as a Nonqualified Option, as stated on Schedule A. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or this Agreement, this Option will expire if not exercised in full by the Expiration Date
specified on Schedule A. 
  
 Exercise of Option. Subject to the terms of
the Plan and this Agreement, the Option shall become exercisable on the date or dates, and subject to such conditions, as are set forth on Schedule A. To the extent that the Option is exercisable but is not exercised, the Option shall accumulate and
be exercisable by the Participant in whole or in part at any time prior to expiration of the Option, subject to the terms of the Plan and this Agreement. The minimum 








 
number of Shares that may be purchased under the Option at one time shall be ten (10). The Participant expressly acknowledges that the Option may vest and
be exercisable only upon such terms and conditions as are provided in this Agreement (including the terms set forth in Schedule A) and the Plan. Upon the exercise of the Option in whole or in part and payment of the Option Price in accordance
with the provisions of the Plan and this Agreement, the Corporation shall, as soon thereafter as practicable, deliver to the Participant a certificate or certificates for the Shares purchased. Payment of the Option Price may be made in the form: (i)
of cash; (ii) by delivery of shares of Common Stock owned by the Participant at the time of exercise; (iii) by delivery of written notice of exercise to the Corporation and delivery to a broker of written notice of exercise and irrevocable
instructions to promptly deliver to the Corporation the amount of sale or loan proceeds to pay the Option Price; or (iv) by any combination of the foregoing methods. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a “change of control” of
the Corporation (as such term is defined in the Plan), payment may also be made by the withholding of shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable upon exercise. Shares delivered or withheld in payment on the exercise of the Option shall be valued
at their fair market value on the date of exercise, as determined by the Committee by applying the provisions of the Plan. 
  
 No Right of Employment or Service. Neither the Plan, this Agreement nor any other action related to the Plan shall confer upon the Participant any right to
continue in the employment or service of the Corporation or a related corporation or interfere with the right of the Corporation or a related corporation to terminate the Participant’s employment or service at any time. Except as otherwise
expressly provided in the Plan or this Agreement, all rights of the Participant with respect to the Option shall terminate upon termination of the employment or service of the Participant with the Corporation or a related corporation. 
  
 Termination of Employment. The Option shall not be exercised unless the Participant
is, at the time of exercise, an employee or in service as described in the Plan and has been an employee or in service continuously since the date the Option was granted, subject to the following: 
  
 The Option shall not be affected by any change in the terms, conditions or status of the
Participant’s employment or service, provided that the Participant continues to be an employee of, or in service to, the Corporation or a related corporation. 
  
 The employment or service relationship of the Participant shall be treated as continuing intact for any period that the Participant is on
military or sick leave or other bona fide leave of absence, provided that the period of such leave does not exceed ninety days, or, if longer, as long as the Participant’s right to reemployment or service is guaranteed either by statute or by
contract. The employment or service relationship of the Participant shall also be treated as continuing intact while the Participant is not in active service because of disability. The Committee shall determine whether the Participant is disabled
and, if applicable, the date of the Participant’s termination of employment or service (the “termination date”). 
  
 If the employment or service of the Participant is terminated because of disability or if the Participant dies while he is an employee or in service or dies after the
termination of his employment or service because of disability, the Option may be exercised only to the extent exercisable on the Participant’s termination date. The Option must be exercised, if at all, prior to the first to occur of the
following, whichever shall be applicable (X) the close of the period of twelve months next succeeding the termination date; or (Y) the close of the Option Period. In the event of the Participant’s death, the Option shall be exercisable by such
person or persons as shall have acquired the right to exercise the Option by will or by the laws of intestate succession. 







 If the employment or service of the Participant is terminated for cause, the Option shall lapse and no longer be
exercisable as of his or her termination date, as determined by the Committee. For purposes of the Agreement, the Participant’s termination shall be for “cause” if such termination results from the Participant’s personal
dishonesty, gross incompetence, willful misconduct, breach of a fiduciary duty involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated duties, willful violation of any law, rule, regulation (other than traffic violations or similar
offences), written Corporation policy or final cease-and-desist order, conviction of a felony or of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, unethical business practices in connection with the Corporation’s business, or misappropriation of the
Corporation’s assets. The determination of “cause” shall be made by the Committee and its determination shall be final and conclusive. 
  
 If the employment or service of the Participant is terminated for any reason other than disability, death or for cause (which are covered in (c) and (d) above), to the
extent the Option is not then exercisable, the Option will lapse. To the extent the Option is exercisable, the Option must be exercised, if at all, prior to the first to occur of the following, whichever shall be applicable: (X)
the close of the period of 90 days next succeeding the termination date; or (Y) the close of the Option Period. If the Participant dies following such termination of employment or service and prior to the earlier of the dates specified
in (X) or (Y) of this subparagraph (e), the Participant shall be treated as having died while employed under subparagraph (c) immediately preceding (treating for this purpose the Participant’s date of termination of employment or service as the
termination date). In the event of the Participant’s death, the Option shall be exercisable by such person or persons as shall have acquired the right to exercise the Option by will or by the laws of intestate succession. 
  
 Nontransferability of Option. The Option shall not be transferable other than by will
or the laws or intestate succession. The Option shall be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by him or her or by his or her guardian or legal representative. The designation of a beneficiary does not constitute a transfer.

  
 Superseding Agreement; Binding Effect. This Agreement supersedes any
statements, representations or agreements of the Corporation with respect to the grant of the Option or any related rights, and the Participant hereby waives any rights or claims related to any such statements, representations or agreements. This
Agreement does not supersede or amend any existing confidentiality agreement, nonsolicitation agreement, noncompetition agreement, employment agreement or any other similar agreement between the Participant and the Corporation, including, but not
limited to, any restrictive covenants contained in such agreements. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns. 

 
 Governing Law. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or herein, this Agreement
shall be construed and enforced according to the laws of the State of North Carolina, without regard to the conflict of laws provisions of any state, and in accordance with applicable federal laws of the United States. 







 Amendment and Termination; Waiver. Subject to the terms of the Plan, this Agreement may be modified or amended
only by the written agreement of the parties hereto. The waiver by the Corporation of a breach of any provision of the Agreement by the Participant shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by the Participant.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee shall have unilateral authority to amend the Plan and this Agreement (without Participant consent) to the extent necessary to comply with applicable law or changes to applicable law (including but not
limited to Code Section 409A, Code Section 422, federal securities laws or related regulations and other guidance). 
  
 No Rights as Shareholder. The Participant and his or her legal representatives, legatees or distributees shall not be deemed to be the holder of any Shares subject
to the Option and shall not have any rights of a shareholder unless and until certificates for such Shares have been issued and delivered to him or her or them. 
  

Withholding; Tax Matters.  
  
 The Participant acknowledges that the Corporation shall require the Participant to pay the Corporation in cash the amount of any local, state, federal, foreign or other
tax or other amount required by any governmental authority to be withheld and paid over by the Corporation to such authority for the account of the Participant, and the Participant agrees, as a condition to the grant of the Option and delivery of
the Shares or any other benefit, to satisfy such obligations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participant may satisfy such obligations in whole or in part, and any other local, state or federal income tax obligations relating to the Option, by
electing (the “election”) to have the Corporation withhold shares of Common Stock from the Shares to which the Participant is entitled. The number of Shares to be withheld shall have a fair market value as of the date that the amount of
tax to be withheld is determined as nearly equal as possible to (but not exceeding) the amount of such obligations being satisfied. Each election must be made in writing to the Administrator in accordance with election procedures established by the
Administrator. 
  
 The Participant acknowledges that the Corporation has made no
warranties or representations to the Participant with respect to the tax consequences (including but not limited to, income tax consequences) related to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and the Participant is in no manner relying on
the Corporation or its representatives for an assessment of such tax consequences. The Participant acknowledges that there may be adverse tax consequences upon acquisition or disposition of the Shares subject to the Option and that the Participant
should consult a tax advisor prior to such exercise or disposition. The Participant acknowledges that he or she has been advised that he or she should consult with his or her own attorney, accountant, and/or tax advisor regarding the decision to
enter into this Agreement and the consequences thereof. The Participant also acknowledges that the Corporation has no responsibility to take or refrain from taking any actions in order to achieve a certain tax result for the Participant. 

 
 Administration. The authority to construe and interpret this Agreement and the
Plan, and to administer all aspects of the Plan, shall be vested in the Board of Directors or the Committee, and the Board or Committee, as the case may be, shall have all powers with respect to this Agreement as are provided in the Plan. Any
interpretation of the Agreement by the Board or Committee, as the case may be, and any decision made by it with respect to the Agreement is final and binding. 







 Notices. Except as may be otherwise provided by the Plan, any written notices provided for in this Agreement or
the Plan shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficiently given if either hand delivered or if sent by fax or overnight courier, or by postage paid first class mail. Notices sent by mail shall be deemed received three business days after mailed
but in no event later than the date of actual receipt. Notices shall be directed, if to the Participant, at the Participant’s address indicated on Schedule A (or such other address as may be designated by the Participant in a manner acceptable
to the Committee), or, if to the Corporation, at the Corporation’s principal office, attention Chief Financial Officer. 
  
 Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are severable and if any one or more provisions may be determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in whole
or in part, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless be binding and enforceable. 
  
 Restrictions on Option and Shares. The Corporation may impose such restrictions on the Shares or other benefits underlying the Option as it may deem advisable, including without limitation restrictions under the federal securities
laws, the requirements of any stock exchange or similar organization and any blue sky, state or foreign securities laws applicable to such Shares or other benefits. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan or the Agreement to the contrary,
the Corporation shall not be obligated to issue, deliver or transfer shares of Common Stock, to make any other distribution of benefits, or to take any other action, unless such delivery, distribution or action is in compliance with all applicable
laws, rules and regulations (including but not limited to the requirements of the Securities Act). The Corporation may cause a restrictive legend to be placed on any certificate for Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of the Option in such
form as may be prescribed from time to time by applicable laws and regulations or as may be advised by legal counsel. 
  
 Counterparts; Further Instruments. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together
shall constitute one and the same instrument. The parties hereto agree to execute such further instruments and to take such further action as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement. 
  
 [Signatures of the Corporation and the Participant follow on Schedule
A/Grant Notice.] 







 CHARLES & COLVARD, LTD. 1997 OMNIBUS STOCK PLAN 
 Employee Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement 
 Schedule A/Grant Notice 
  
 1. Pursuant to
the terms and conditions of the Corporation’s 1997 Omnibus Stock Plan (the “Plan”), you (the “Participant”) have been granted an option (the “Option”) to purchase
             shares (the “Shares”) of our Common Stock as outlined below. 
  

			
	 Name of Participant:
	 	 __________________________________________

	 Address:
	 	 __________________________________________

	 Grant Date:
	 	 _____________________________________, 20__

	 Number of Shares Subject to Option:
	 	 __________________________________________

	 Option Price:
	 	 $_________________________________________

	 Type of Option:
	 	 Nonqualified Stock Option

	 Expiration Date (Last day of Option Period):
	 	 _____________________________________, 20__

	 Vesting Schedule/Conditions:
	 	 __________________________________________


  
 2. By my signature
below, I, the Participant, hereby acknowledge receipt of this Grant Notice and the Option Agreement (the “Agreement”) dated             
        , 200  , between the Participant and Charles & Colvard, Ltd. (the “Corporation”) which is attached to this Grant Notice. I understand that the Grant Notice and
other provisions of Schedule A herein are incorporated by reference into the Agreement and constitute a part of the Agreement. By my signature below, I further agree to be bound by the terms of the Plan and the Agreement, including but not
limited to the terms of this Grant Notice and the other provisions of Schedule A contained herein. The Corporation reserves the right to treat the Option and the Agreement as cancelled, void and of no effect if the Participant fails to return a
signed copy of the Grant Notice within 30 days of grant date stated above. 
  

							
	 Signature:
	 	  

	 	 Date:
	 	  


			
	 	 	 	 	 Agreed to by:

			
	 	 	 	 	 CHARLES & COLVARD, LTD.

				
	 	 	 	 	 By:
	 	  


	 	 	 	 	 	 	 Robert S. Thomas

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 President & CEO

	 Attest:
	 	 	 	 
			
	
 James R. Braun
	 	 	 	 
	 Secretary
	 	 	 	 

  
 Note: If there are any
discrepancies in the name or address shown above, please make the appropriate corrections on this form. Please retain a copy of the Agreement, including this Grant Notice, for your files.