SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGovFrom tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
EditorsDec 08, 2010
De Beers steering clear of lab-grown stones
Over the years, rumors have popped up from time to time about mining giant De Beers getting in the business of growing diamonds in a laboratory. The most recent round of rumors that I can recall--and please drop me a...
Over the years, rumors have popped up from time to time about mining giant De Beers getting in the business of growing diamonds in a laboratory. The most recent round of rumors that I can recall--and please drop me a line (michelle.graff@nationaljeweler.com) if you know of more up-to-date reports--came in 2008, with article such as this and this.
So when the story surfaced about lab-grown diamond company Gemesis cultivating decent-sized white diamonds and larger, better quality yellows, it prompted me to ask De Beers if they have any ambitions in the lab-grown arena.
After all, according to this factually questionable blog posted here and here and I'm sure countless other places on the Internet by now, these reports about lab-grown diamonds have "panic brewing" for De Beers. I can't tell who authored this post--or from where they got any of their facts and figures--but that's the way of the Internet. Anybody with a functioning laptop can log in and post entries such as this, which then end up on countless other Web sites, blogs and so-called news sites. This is the kind of stuff about the Internet that really grinds my gears as a journalist, but I digress.
So I asked De Beers what they thought of the Gemesis announcement and if they had any plans for marketing lab-grown diamonds through industrial diamond arm Element Six.
Here's what they had to say: "De Beers has no intention of entering that market," spokeswoman Lynette Gould wrote. "All our research shows that when it comes to diamond jewelry, people overwhelmingly want the real thing."
Their answer clearly indicates that they have no interest in getting into the business of growing diamonds---or least this is what they are telling me on the record right now. And while I don't doubt there is some concern over lab-grown competition, I don't think De Beers or any independent retailers are, or need to be, flipping the panic switch following that Gemesis report.
I think there is room for mined diamonds and lab-grown stones to co-exist in the market. There are going to be consumers who want traditional mined diamonds because they are well, traditional, and because of the beauty and romance tied to the idea of heat and pressure combining over billions of years to create their stone.
Then there are going to be those who are intrigued with the science and innovation involved in growing a
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
diamond in a lab and also might be attracted to these stones' relatively lower price and lack of thorny ethical issues.
There are still others who'll never own a diamond in their lifetime due to personal style preferences, financial circumstances or the desire to go a different route with their engagement ring, as has been much buzzed about lately with the engagement of Prince William to Catherine Middleton using the late Princess Diana's sapphire ring.
Lab-grown stones simply give consumers another choice and could even bring new diamond consumers to the market, those who are priced out of owning a mined stone of the carat size they desire or turned off by the ethical issues surrounding mined diamonds.
There's no reason for panic to be brewing, at De Beers or anywhere else in the market.
There are still others who'll never own a diamond in their lifetime due to personal style preferences, financial circumstances or the desire to go a different route with their engagement ring, as has been much buzzed about lately with the engagement of Prince William to Catherine Middleton using the late Princess Diana's sapphire ring.
Lab-grown stones simply give consumers another choice and could even bring new diamond consumers to the market, those who are priced out of owning a mined stone of the carat size they desire or turned off by the ethical issues surrounding mined diamonds.
There's no reason for panic to be brewing, at De Beers or anywhere else in the market.
More on Editors
The Latest
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is HereThe catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
