EditorsJun 09, 2026
Q&A: Al Cook on the Lab-Grown ‘Bubble,’ Dwindling Diamond Supply The De Beers Group CEO also discussed tariffs, Desert Diamonds, and the pending sale of De Beers in an interview with Michelle Graff.
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Sell More Using Natural & Lab Grown Fun Facts with Clients
Using fun facts during a sale gets your clients more interested and invested in their diamond purchase.
Brought To You By International Gemological Institute, IGI
Fun facts are pieces of knowledge intended as “edu-tainment” – stimulating conversation by teaching something interesting. The more fun facts you commit to memory, the more you’ll find opportunities to use them in a way that informs decisions that are important to your clients.
We hope you enjoy this small collection of fun facts below.
Natural Diamond Fun Facts
Diamonds Formed Where? No map can tell you. Diamonds are older than present day geography. Remember, they formed 1-3 billion years ago during the Supercontinent cycle, an eternity before Pangaea started breaking into the modern world’s seven continents 175 million years ago. We can identify where diamonds come to the surface, but the true origin of that “forever” diamond you’re wearing on your finger is a mysterious story that’s as old as the cosmos.
They’ve Waited Forever: The oldest diamonds date back 3 billion years, and the youngest diamonds are around 1 billion years old. Humans have existed for only 200,000. Putting that in context, if the youngest diamonds were celebrating their 100th birthday today, the totality of human history is less than a week old to them. And if the oldest diamonds were 100 years old, humans have only existed for their last 48 hours. Every diamond in your showcase has waited an eternity to be found and loved by someone.
Mixed Diamond Fun Facts
A survey of more than 800 consumers from 48 states shows growing interest in lab grown diamonds, although some shoppers remain committed to natural diamonds only. 65% of respondents were female and 35% were male.
Q: Have you heard of lab grown diamonds before now?
- 71% Yes
- 28% No
- 1% Don’t know
Q: How likely or unlikely are you to consider a lab grown diamond?
- 18% Very Likely
- 37% Likely
- 30% Neither likely or unlikely
- 11% Unlikely
- 4% Very Unlikely
Lab Grown Diamond Fun Facts
Magnetic diamonds! Lab grown diamonds are produced using one of two methods. The HPHT process uses a metal catalyst to dissolve carbon. If enough metal fragments remain within the finished diamond it may be attracted to a magnet. Spoiler - this is why electronic diamond testers mistakenly identify HPHT grown diamonds as Moissanite. Unlike natural and CVD grown diamonds, they conduct electricity.
SHOW-TELL OPPORTUNITY: YouTube “magnetic hpht diamond” on your phone or tablet.
Defying Nature: Unlike natural or HPHT grown diamonds, CVD growth happens at negative pressure, defying the rules of nature. This would normally produce graphite, but scientists use single hydrogen atoms to clear the way for carbon atoms to crystallize, literally building a diamond, atom by atom.
TOO NERDY? Okay, just let them know CVD sneaks around Mother Nature with technology.
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