Editors

Meet the Brand Making Lab-Grown Diamonds Cool

EditorsOct 04, 2023

Meet the Brand Making Lab-Grown Diamonds Cool

Minty Diamonds stands out for its fashion-forward collection.

Minty Diamonds lab-grown diamond, ceramic, and 18-karat gold eternity bands
The decision to utilize lab-grown diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires wasn’t a matter of cost for brand Minty Diamonds. Rather, it’s part of a conversation on material innovation. Pictured are lab-grown diamond, 18-karat gold, and layered ceramic eternity bands from the emerging label.
Artists must learn the rules of their trade before they subvert them.  
 
Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollack first learned traditional painting techniques before they pioneered their signature abstract approaches to the medium.   
 
The same holds true for many professions, diamond dealing included.  
 
Amir Sidis-Simkhai isn’t a tech entrepreneur with dreams of disrupting the traditional jewelry industry model with his lab-grown diamond and gemstone jewelry line, Minty Diamonds. 

Rather, he’s a fourth-generation industry member with decades of natural diamond expertise.  
 
Sidis-Simkhai’s great-grandfather was the first to enter the jewelry world, paving the way for his grandfather, who specialized in diamonds. Sidis-Simkhai’s father is also a diamond dealer and his mother has her own jewelry brand.  


The Israeli-born Sidis-Simkhai initially pursued law school before developing an interest in the family trade.  
 
In the beginning of his diamond career he traveled extensively, buying diamonds in India and South Africa, with Israel as the ideal geographic base between markets including New York, Antwerp, and Hong Kong.  
 
Eventually tiring of the travel, he joined his father’s company and set up shop in New York City where he raises his four children—two sets of twins.  
 
It’s from this insider’s perspective that Sidis-Simkhai approaches lab-grown diamonds.  

Minty Diamonds jewelry
Minty Diamonds’ take on a two-stone ring involves lab-grown diamonds and lab-grown emeralds. This ivory ceramic is exclusive to Moda Operandi.

“In the beginning, people were very scared of lab-grown diamonds,” he recalls, “and there were people who were intrigued by it.” 
 
He was in the latter camp, curious about the possibilities of this new slice of the market, watching as production methods were refined and colors improved to the point that, “now, perfect stones come out.” 
 
While diamond dealers and retailers initially were polarized over the topic, Sidis-Simkhai notes that today, most simply want to offer their client what they want. 
 
“I started offering [lab-grown diamonds] as an option to my natural diamond customers who wanted something bigger,” he says, noting that clients had started asking about them.  
 
While many people remain opposed to the material, Sidis-Simkhai’s family’s reputation in the diamond industry made people trust him as he began working with lab-grown stones and sought to forge his own path.  
 
“I didn’t want to be like everyone else,” he says.  
 
Minty Diamonds jewelry
The Minty Diamonds tennis bracelets can be connected to form a choker.

Natural diamonds still constitute the majority of Sidis-Simkhai’s business.  His vision for lab-grown diamonds and other gems isn’t simply as another center stone option for a diamond engagement ring. 
 
He has bigger ideas in mind. For him, lab-grown diamonds represent his “obsession with materials.” 
 
They could be part of a new language of jewelry, he surmises, in which core concepts are the same but expressed in unique ways.  
 
By chance, Sidis-Simkhai met an up-and-coming jewelry designer—who remains quietly and anonymously behind the scenes in their work for Minty Diamonds—who shares his passion for reimagining classic styles.  
 
“We don’t want to reinvent the wheel,” Sidis-Simkhai says of their shared design inclinations, “but we want to look at [jewelry styles] a different way.” 
 

The two began to experiment with ceramic, sourcing a “jewelry-grade” zirconium dioxide used for high-end watches that is produced in northern Europe and analyzing how it looked when different colors were layered.  
 
After years of experimentation, the building blocks of their brand were laid and Minty Diamonds was born.  
 
Fine jewelry staples, like a tennis bracelet  and eternity band, take on a new personality with lab-grown diamonds set in a two-layer ceramic bezel. The lab-grown stones have a practical element in these designs too, Sidis-Simkhai explains.  
 
D- to F- color, VS clarity diamonds are necessary to pop against the chocolate brown, dusky navy blue, hunter green, and light pink ceramic shades. Natural diamonds of the same clarity and color grades would cost significantly more.  
 
The ceramic colors lend Minty Diamonds a playful element but are restrained enough to feel grown up, rather than ultra-trendy. For some, the ceramic layers call to mind a layered cake, while for Sidis-Simkhai they evoke luxurious Italian Marchesi candies.  
 
“We wanted each color to pop [by pairing a dark with a light],” he says. “When they are layered in a stack, it gives the colors purpose, almost.” 
 

So far, the Minty Diamond customer has proved to span a variety of ages and genders.  
 
“It’s very current and different without being crazy,” says Sidis-Simkhai of the collection’s widespread popularity. “You don’t have to make a big statement by wearing it. It ends up appealing to everyone.” 
 
The years of experimentation and refinement have crystallized the production process. Ceramic and recycled gold is set with lab-grown diamonds from Israel and the United States. There is some assembly in Italy—for the tennis bracelet, for example—and some assembly and finishing in New York.  
 
Minty Diamonds officially launched in 2022 and found its first retail home this year at Moda Operandi. For that collection, Sidis-Simkhai and his design partner ventured into lab-grown sapphires and emeralds, as well as an ivory-colored ceramic that is exclusive to Moda.  
 
The collection has expanded to two-stone rings and huggie hoop earrings, among other styles.  
 
Minty doesn’t adhere to a biannual collection schedule but intends to expand its offerings annually.  
 
The excitement of envisioning the possibilities of lab-grown diamonds keeps Sidis-Simkhai invigorated for the future.  
 
“Now we’re closer to this idea where you could make an entire ring shank out of a [lab-grown] diamond; you can use lab-growns as different parts that you don’t usually use for [natural] diamonds in jewelry,” he says. 
 
 Related stories will be right here … 

The Latest

Crime police cars
CrimeSep 16, 2025
2 Robbery Suspects Killed in California Pawn Shop Shootout

Six people were shot last week at an Oakland cash-for-gold shop as employees exchanged gunfire with individuals trying to rob the store.

Chopard Ice Cube Modular Necklace
CollectionsSep 16, 2025
Chopard Adds New Designs to Its ‘Ice Cube’ Capsule Collection

The jeweler has expanded its high jewelry offering, which launched last year, with new pieces featuring its cube motif that debuted in 1999.

Natural Diamond Council Retailer Accreditation Program seal
SourcingSep 16, 2025
Natural Diamond Council Launches Retailer Accreditation Program

Ben Bridge Jeweler and Lux Bond & Green were a part of the pilot program. 

reDollar-fine-jewelry-department.jpg
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment Program

With their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.

Holiday presents in gift boxes
SurveysSep 15, 2025
Resilient Shoppers to Boost Holiday Retail Sales, Says Deloitte

It’s predicting a rise in retail sales this holiday season despite economic uncertainty and elevated inflation.

Weekly QuizSep 12, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Buffalo Emerald
SourcingSep 15, 2025
Gemfields Achieves $32M at High-Quality Emerald Auction

It included the sale of the 11,685-carat “Imboo” emerald that was recently discovered at Kagem.

8.33-carat emerald-cut no-oil Brazilian emerald, A. Kleiman & Co.
SourcingSep 15, 2025
AGTA Elects 8 Members to Board of Directors

The newly elected directors will officially take office in February 2026 and will be introduced at the organization’s membership meeting.

japac-btyb.png
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key Issues

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

Rough montana sapphire
EditorsSep 12, 2025
Out & About: Mining Sapphires in Rock Creek, Montana

Associate Editor Lauren McLemore headed out West for a visit to Potentate Mining’s operation hosted by gemstone wholesaler Parlé Gems.

Arunashi Fordite and Rhodolite Earrings
TrendsSep 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Arunashi’s Fordite and Rhodolite Earrings

Fordite is a man-made material created from the layers of dried enamel paint that dripped onto the floors of automotive factories.

Susan Jacques and Al Gilbertson
Events & AwardsSep 12, 2025
Al Gilbertson Wins 2025 Robert M. Shipley Award

Gilbertson has worked as a researcher, jeweler, lapidary artist, appraiser, and business owner throughout his decades in the industry.

Supreme Court stock image
Policies & IssuesSep 11, 2025
Supreme Court to Hear Tariffs Case in November

A decision likely won’t come until January 2026 at the earliest, and the tariffs remain in effect until then.

Tabayer’s Nordstrom Shop-in-Shop
MajorsSep 11, 2025
Tabayer Opens Nordstrom Shop-In-Shop

Located in the revamped jewelry hall at the retailer’s New York City flagship, this opening is Tabayer’s first shop-in-shop.

De Beers education app on mobile phone
SourcingSep 11, 2025
Need to Sell More Natural Diamonds? De Beers Has an App for That

The new, free app offers accessible educational content, like games and podcasts, for U.S. retailers.

Gold jewelry on a scale
MajorsSep 10, 2025
Stuller to Swap Gold Scrap for Full Credit to Account

As the gold price rises, the manufacturer is offering a 100 percent payout through Sept. 30 for gold clean scrap.

Jacob and Co Loewe headphones
SourcingSep 10, 2025
Tech Meets Style in the New Loewe x Jacob & Co. Headphones

Jacob & Co. partnered with the German technology company on two pairs of headphones, one set with diamonds and the other with sapphires.

Tiffany & Co Favrile Beetle Necklace in Frankenstein
TrendsSep 10, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Archival Jewels Bring Life to ‘Frankenstein’

Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 “Frankenstein” will feature 27 jewels and objects from the storied brand, including pieces from its archives.

24 Karat Club banquet
MajorsSep 10, 2025
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf Astoria

The Waldorf Astoria New York’s grand reopening this past summer means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event.

Anglo American’s Quellaveco copper mine in Peru
SourcingSep 09, 2025
Anglo American to Merge With Canadian Copper Miner

Anglo plans to merge with Teck Resources Ltd. to form Anglo Teck. The deal changes nothing about its plans to offload De Beers.

The Mellon Blue diamond
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
‘The Mellon Blue’ to Return to Auction, This Time at Christie’s

The 9.51-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, which set two world auction records at Sotheby’s in 2014, is estimated to fetch up to $30 million.

Dianne Batista Phillips Auctions
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
Phillips Names Dianne Batista Head of Jewels, New York

The industry veteran joins the auction house as it looks to solidify its footprint in the jewelry market.

Anastacia Lauren, Elle Jerge, Logan Nye
MajorsSep 09, 2025
MJSA Education Foundation Announces 2025 Scholarship Winners

The nonprofit awarded four students pursuing a professional career in jewelry making and design with $2,250 each.

Korman jewelry store Austin
IndependentsSep 08, 2025
Take a Look Inside the New Korman Store in Austin

The Texas-based jeweler has also undergone a brand refresh, debuting a new website and logo.

Logos for Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America and Jewelers of America
MajorsSep 08, 2025
MJSA Is Officially Now Under JA’s Umbrella

The two organizations have finalized and signed the affiliation agreement announced in May.

Sothebys JAR and Suzanne Belperron jewels
AuctionsSep 08, 2025
Sotheby’s To Auction ‘Exceptional’ Collection of JAR, Suzanne Belperron Jewels

The single-owner sale will headline Sotheby's inaugural jewelry auction at the Breuer building, its new global headquarters, this December.

A street in Carlsbad California
Events & AwardsSep 08, 2025
27 Can’t-Miss Converge Sessions, Events

From sunrise yoga to tariffs talks, these are some events to check out at the upcoming inaugural event.

National Jeweler columnist Peter Smith
ColumnistsSep 05, 2025
Peter Smith: A Lasting Lesson From Maurice Tempelsman

Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy