Lab-Grown ‘Ranch’ Diamond Sells for $13K
Hidden Valley Ranch auctioned the one-of-a-kind lab-grown stone to benefit Feeding America.

The latest is über-popular condiment and dip Hidden Valley Ranch, which debuted a one-of-a-kind diamond made with its signature ranch dressing on March 10, also known as “National Ranch Day” to those who celebrate.
Created by geologist and LifeGem Vice President Dean VandenBiesen, the 2.01-carat round brilliant, G VVS1 lab-grown diamond was made by heating Hidden Valley Ranch dry seasoning mix to 2,500 degrees and then crushing it beneath 400 tons of pressure, said the company.
The process took a total of five months.
Chicago-based LifeGem is a company that creates diamonds as memorial pieces using the ashes of a beloved human or animal.
“Ranch dressing contains carbon. Technically and theoretically, we can extract carbon from ranch dressing, as the carbon source for diamond growth, using [it] with CVD or HPHT technology,” said Dr. Wuyi Wang, GIA vice president of research and development, in a statement to National Jeweler.
“Practically, I don’t think it could become a real carbon source for diamond growth.”
When asked if just anything can be introduced into the mix when growing diamonds, Wang explained that some elements can be added to the diamond lattice during the growth process, like nitrogen, boron, silicon, and nickel. Their concentrations in diamonds, as impurities, are very low.
“However,” he noted, “we can’t add everything.”

The lab-grown ranch diamond is set in a 14-karat white gold band with “HVR LVR,” or Hidden Valley Ranch Lover, engraved on the inside.
“Last year, when one of our custom Valentine’s Day bottles was used in a marriage proposal, we were inspired,” said Deb Crandall, marketing director at Hidden Valley Ranch, in a press release.
“We saw a love of ranch become part of one of life’s most beautiful moments. It made us wonder, how can we make this act of love even more memorable?”
The ring was listed on eBay from March 10 to 17, with the bidding starting at $310.
The winning bid was $12,550, with all proceeds going to Feeding America, Hidden Valley Ranch said.
The Latest

Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.

National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.

The winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.


The singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.

The bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

The heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.

The 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.

The Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.

The historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.

To mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.

Founder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.

If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.

The top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.

Gizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.

Luca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.

Following visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.

The “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.

The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.

The New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.

Take a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.

The one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.

The California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.

Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.