Lab-GrownSep 07, 2023
Swarovski’s Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry to Launch GloballyEditorsOct 04, 2023
Meet the Brand Making Lab-Grown Diamonds Cool
Minty Diamonds stands out for its fashion-forward collection.
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 signature Minty Diamonds piece is a tennis bracelet comprised of lab-grown diamonds, recycled 18-karat gold, and two layers of ceramic.
The brand has formulated its ceramic colors to be gender neutral.
The ceramic is produced in northern Europe.
Most bracelets feature one lighter ceramic shade and one deeper hue for contrast.
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’ 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.
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.”
Amir Sidis-Simkhai combined his diamond knowledge with his silent design partner’s innovative jewelry-making ideas. The two share a curiosity for new and unusual materials.
After launching with lab-grown diamonds, Minty Diamonds has expanded to include lab-grown sapphires and emeralds.
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.”
Two views of a Minty Diamonds lab-grown diamond, 18-karat gold, and ceramic huggie hoop earring
One of the latest Minty Diamonds styles, launched this year at Moda Operandi
A solitaire diamond necklace launched at Moda Operandi
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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
The Latest
AuctionsJun 12, 2026
16th-Century ‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Going Up for Auction in LondonFound by a metal detectorist, the ring likely belonged to a wealthy, possibly royal, owner, said Noonans.
CollectionsJun 12, 2026
Chouette Designs To Launch Collection Celebrating All Types of LoveOur Pride Month Piece of the Week, the “Margaux” ring, is part of the wife-and-wife team’s new “Lovestoned” collection.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2026
CBG Announces Plans for Phoenix ShowThe group has named the keynote speaker and announced a new pavilion for its next event, which is slated for September.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
SourcingJun 11, 2026
Grandview Klein, London Jewelers Partner To Cut 63-Carat RoughThe big stone will be fashioned into a 20.26-carat diamond in celebration of the retailer’s 100th anniversary this year.
Weekly QuizJun 11, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJun 11, 2026
Former Cartier Creative Director To Head Chanel’s Jewelry Creation StudioMarie-Laure Cérède will join Chanel as the new director of its jewelry creation studio, starting in October.
Lab-GrownJun 11, 2026
Smiling Rocks’ ‘Wish Jar’ Generates 100+ Wishes in Las Vegas At the JCK show, the lab-grown diamond brand teamed up with Jewelers for Children to support Make-A-Wish India.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
SourcingJun 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Exec Joins Diamonds Do Good BoardIlana McCabe is Signet’s vice president of public relations and brand communications.
AuctionsJun 10, 2026
31.62-Carat ‘Azure Blue’ Diamond Sells For $8M+ at Christie’sIt was a banner day for blue gemstones, with another blue diamond topping $8 million and a 41-carat sapphire going for $2.3 million.
MajorsJun 10, 2026
Saks Global Receives Bankruptcy Court Approval for ReorganizationThe approval means the retailer is on track to exit bankruptcy proceedings this summer.
CrimeJun 10, 2026
2 Suspects Arrested in Texas Jewelry Store RobberyThe men are believed to be part of the group of several masked suspects that robbed Marc Robinson Jewelers in April.
CollectionsJun 10, 2026
Sylvie Debuts ‘Elevated’ Bridal Collection Inspired By Designer’s RingThe bridal-focused brand is also launching its Custom Atelier this summer, a digital custom design tool for its authorized retailers.
MajorsJun 09, 2026
Wilkerson's Russ Whitehouse RetiresThe industry veteran is bringing his 56-year run in the fine jewelry sector to an end.
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2026
Pride Month Panel to Highlight LGBTQ+ Jewelry VoicesThe panel discussion will feature LGBTQ+ leaders across the jewelry, luxury, and creative industries.
CollectionsJun 09, 2026
Marie Lichtenberg’s New Capsule Collection Is a Smash, LiterallyInspired by a locket that got run over, the “Smash” capsule collection reimagines the shape of Lichtenberg’s signature style.
MajorsJun 09, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names Director of Sales for SoutheastThe company has promoted Katherine Whitacre to the role.
MajorsJun 08, 2026
Stuller Expands Selection of Lab-Grown Diamonds, Demi-Fine JewelryThe jewelry manufacturer has added Taylor Swift-esque diamond shapes, and more silver, gold vermeil, and gold-plated jewelry.
SourcingJun 08, 2026
Sally Morrison to Depart De Beers This Summer Morrison has been marketing diamonds on and off since the early 2000s and said she is leaving to “pursue new projects.”
TrendsJun 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: June’s Birthstone TrioThose born in June can celebrate with pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone jewelry.
TechnologyJun 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings Launches Ring Builder PlatformThe platform allows retailers to guide clients through a customizable engagement ring buying experience in a branded interface.
IndependentsJun 05, 2026
Pennsylvania Jewelry Store To Close After 79 YearsJim Springer, owner of Dunkelberger’s Fine Jewelry, is heading into retirement.
SurveysJun 05, 2026
Consumers to Cut Back on Spending Amid Rising Prices, Survey Shows When conducting its May consumer confidence survey, The Conference Board asked extra questions about consumers’ budgeting strategies.
CollectionsJun 05, 2026
Rebel Jewelry’s Charm Symbolizes Perseverance for Pride MonthThe “Tunnel” charm, our Piece of the Week, celebrates Pride Month with its design inspired by hope and the light at the end of the tunnel.
SourcingJun 05, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsJun 04, 2026
Treasures from Maurice Tempelsman’s ‘Marvelous’ Life Head to AuctionUp for auction at Sotheby’s, the collection of Tempelsman’s personal effects includes a Cartier Tank watch Jackie O. gifted him.
CollectionsJun 04, 2026
Buddha Mama to Spend the Summer in AspenThe Miami-based fine jewelry brand will host its first summer residency in the Colorado mountain town from June 5 to Aug. 23.
