AuctionsJan 31, 2025
Elizabeth Taylor’s Diamond Bracelet Outshines Estimate at U.K. AuctionThe auction also featured the sale of a Cartier necklace made when Egyptomania was sweeping Great Britain.
SourcingMar 02, 2016
Stuller Adds Lab-Grown Diamonds to its Inventory
The company, which is one of the largest suppliers in the United States, said it wants to “give jewelers every option they need to thrive.”
Stuller is now selling lab-grown diamonds. “We want to give jewelers every option they need to thrive and many of our customers already offer these diamonds with great success,” Stanley Zale said of the company’s decision to deal in the man-made stones.
Lafayette, La.--Stuller Inc., one of the largest jewelry manufacturers and suppliers in the United States, announced this week that it has added lab-grown diamonds to its product mix and, in fact, has been selling the stones since before the holidays.
Stuller is starting with a small assortment of the stones--as of Tuesday afternoon, the company had only 20-some lab-grown diamonds listed on its website, and Stuller’s Vice President of Diamonds and Gemstones Stanley Zale confirmed that that represents the entirety of what Stuller has available right now.
However, he said demand has been “stronger than anticipated” so far and that Stuller is continually adding more inventory.
Once available in limited quantities and sizes, lab-grown diamonds are becoming more mainstream as technology has improved to the point that diamond growers are able to produce steady streams of the stones, which are, in turn, getting picked up and sold by a growing number of suppliers and retailers.
Rogers & Hollands and Robbins Brothers both sell lab-grown diamonds. Over the summer, Helzberg Diamonds launched a pilot program offering white, yellow and pink lab-grown diamonds in select stores in four states, Virginia, Florida, Illinois and Arizona. Helzberg did not respond to inquiries about the current status of the program by press time.
Also, just last month, a total of 11 diamond growers announced the formation of the International Grown Diamond Association, a group designed to educate the public and stoke demand for the stones, in much the same way the world’s biggest diamond miners hope to buoy demand for natural diamonds via the Diamond Producers Association.
Zale said, in the end, Stuller opted to add lab-grown diamonds to its product mix because it wants to give jewelers’ choices.
“Whatever they are choosing, changing or creating with Stuller they can decide what center stone works best for their customer,” he said. “It might a natural diamond, a ruby or an emerald, a Forever One moissanite or even a lab-grown diamond.
“We’re here to help our customers succeed as jewelers.”
Stuller is sourcing the stones from a number of diamond growers though it declined to give the names of specific companies, noting that it is not its practice to name vendors except in cases where the merchandise is branded.
The lab-grown diamonds are being sold as loose stones and range in size from 0.34 to 2.15 carats, F to K and VS1 to
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
I2, ranges the company views as the “sweet spot” for color, clarity and size, Zale said.
They are, for the most part, 50 to 60 percent cheaper than comparable mined diamonds listed on RapNet and come with a report from the Gem Certification and Assurance Lab (GCAL), the New York lab run by Don Palmieri, and a unique inscription on the girdle.
Stuller said its lab-grown diamonds are kept in a separate vault, stored and shipped in a distinct blue acrylic box, and always are handled separately from its mined diamond inventory.
Zale also noted that Stuller has been screening all diamonds weighing more than 0.20 carats for the possibility of being lab-grown for several years now.
For smaller diamonds, the company purchased one of De Beers’ Automated Melee Screening machines in 2014 and Zale said they follow De Beers’ recommended screening protocol for its use.
“But,” he added, “melee screening is a challenge, so we also look to our suppliers to provide assurances and warranties that they are not using lab-grown (diamonds).”
They are, for the most part, 50 to 60 percent cheaper than comparable mined diamonds listed on RapNet and come with a report from the Gem Certification and Assurance Lab (GCAL), the New York lab run by Don Palmieri, and a unique inscription on the girdle.
Stuller said its lab-grown diamonds are kept in a separate vault, stored and shipped in a distinct blue acrylic box, and always are handled separately from its mined diamond inventory.
Zale also noted that Stuller has been screening all diamonds weighing more than 0.20 carats for the possibility of being lab-grown for several years now.
For smaller diamonds, the company purchased one of De Beers’ Automated Melee Screening machines in 2014 and Zale said they follow De Beers’ recommended screening protocol for its use.
“But,” he added, “melee screening is a challenge, so we also look to our suppliers to provide assurances and warranties that they are not using lab-grown (diamonds).”
More on Sourcing
The Latest
CollectionsJan 31, 2025
Piece of the Week: Lalaounis’ Good Luck Charm for 2025The “Blossom Rosette” blooms with love, beauty, and hope for the year ahead.
IndependentsJan 31, 2025
Harvey Rovinsky, Longtime Owner of Bernie Robbins Jewelers, Dies at 77Rovinsky is remembered as a great mentor who made the employees of his stores feel like family.
Brought to you by
3 New Year’s Resolutions for Jewelry Lovers The new year feels like a clean slate, inspiring reflection, hope, and the motivation to become better versions of ourselves.
Events & AwardsJan 31, 2025
Facets of Fire Has a Diamond Challenge for RetailersFor every jeweler who tries their luck, the company will make a donation to Jewelers for Children.
Weekly QuizJan 30, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJan 30, 2025
WJA Chapter Leaders Resign as Fallout From DEI Remarks SnowballsThe boards of at least five chapters have resigned in response to controversial statements the WJA national board president made last month.
Policies & IssuesJan 30, 2025
RJC Executive Director Melanie Grant Is Stepping Down An experienced jewelry writer and curator, Grant led the organization for two years.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Celebrates "Forever Present" Holiday CampaignA Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’
CollectionsJan 30, 2025
Pharrell Williams Brings Tahitian Pearls to His New Tiffany & Co. CollectionFive new designs were added, all donning Tahitian cultured pearls and spear-like trident motifs, along with the new “Titan” setting.
Events & AwardsJan 30, 2025
Registration Open for Converge 2025The inaugural event is being co-hosted by the American Gem Society and the Gemological Institute of America.
MajorsJan 30, 2025
24 Karat Club of New York Elects 5 New MembersJewelers of America’s Annie Doresca and AGTA CEO John W. Ford Sr. are among the new members.
CollectionsJan 29, 2025
Boucheron’s High Jewelry Takes the Form of ‘Untamed Nature’The jeweler’s latest high jewelry collection looks into the Boucheron archives to create a “living encyclopedia of high jewelry.”
FinancialsJan 29, 2025
LVMH Watch, Jewelry Sales End the Year DownWatch and jewelry sales slipped 3 percent in 2024, though the luxury conglomerate did see business pick up in the fourth quarter.
MajorsJan 29, 2025
Chanel Names New General Manager of Watches, Fine Jewelry for USOlivier Kessler-Gay will take over the role on March 3.
SurveysJan 29, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips for Second Consecutive Month It hit a four-month low in January due to concerns about the job market, though consumers remain bullish about the stock market.
Events & AwardsJan 29, 2025
Chris Ploof To Teach Mokume Gane at AJSThe jewelry designer and master metalsmith will present on the ancient Japanese metalworking technique at the Atlanta Jewelry Show in March.
CollectionsJan 28, 2025
Bliss Lau Celebrates the Intricate Mosaic of Identity in New CollectionThe versatile “As We Are” collection features 14 pieces with interlocking designs allowing for 27 different looks worn around the body.
Events & AwardsJan 28, 2025
NouvelleBox Show Returns to New York CityThe showcase, in its second year, will feature more than 20 international brands at its curated event from Feb. 2-4.
Recorded WebinarsJan 28, 2025
Watch: Fine Jewelry Market Predictions for 2025 “My Next Question” guests Sherry Smith and Edahn Golan share their 2025 forecasts, from sales and marketing to what retailers should stock.
Events & AwardsJan 28, 2025
Here Is the 2025 AGTA GemFair Tucson Educational LineupThe seminar series covers topics from market trends and colored stone terminology to working with museums and growing an Instagram profile.
MajorsJan 27, 2025
Le Vian Corp. Chairman Larry LeVian, a Man of Faith and Family, Dies at 73 LeVian is remembered for his leadership in the jewelry industry and for being a selfless and compassionate person.
CrimeJan 27, 2025
New Jersey Jeweler Sentenced to 2 1/2 Years for Evading CustomsMonishkumar Kirankumar Doshi Shah pleaded guilty to evading customs on more than $13.5 million of jewelry imported into the U.S.
SourcingJan 27, 2025
Dev Shetty To Head New Auction House for Rare Colored GemsJemora Gemhouse’s inaugural auction, slated for March, will take place in Dubai and feature polished sapphires.
CollectionsJan 27, 2025
Rachel Quinn Embodies Feelings of Falling in Love in New CollectionQuinn partnered with Gemfields to create “Crazy Love,” which features Zambian emeralds and Mozambican rubies across 10 pieces.
MajorsJan 27, 2025
Arch Crown’s 2025 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is Out Now The catalog is 48 pages and features more than 100 styles.
CollectionsJan 24, 2025
Piece of the Week: Ashley Zhang Jewelry’s Lunar New Year NecklaceThe one-of-a-kind necklace was designed in celebration of the Chinese New Year, as 2025 is the Year of the Snake.
SourcingJan 24, 2025
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to Tucson The gemstone show is slated to take place at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.
