Lab-GrownApr 08, 2024
Indian Lab-Grown Diamond Manufacturers Keep Growing Lab-GrownMay 13, 2024
Lab-Grown Diamond Brand Lightbox Cuts Prices by 25 to 40%
The move follows a price-drop test run in Q4 and comes with the addition of a “quality assurance card” from GIA for some loose diamonds.
Lightbox, the lab-grown diamond brand De Beers Group launched in 2018 with an $800 per carat pricing structure, is now selling its diamonds for as low as $500 a carat. Pictured is a selection of loose fancy-cut lab-grown Lightbox diamonds.
Gresham, Oregon—Lightbox has cut prices by as much as 40 percent, bringing its lab-grown diamonds even farther below the market average.
Lightbox tested reduced prices in the fourth quarter 2023 and announced Friday it had officially adopted price cuts across the board, with the steepest drop coming for its highest-quality goods.
It is now selling its “Finest” lab-grown diamonds—D-F color, excellent cut, and VS clarity—for $900 a carat, 10 percent lower than the price offered in the Q4 trial ($1,000 per carat), and 40 percent off the original price of $1,500 per carat.
Prices on I-J color lab-grown diamonds were cut 38 percent, from $800 to $500 a carat, while G-H color stones are going for $600 a carat, down 25 percent from $800 a carat.
Even before Lightbox announced it was making its price cuts permanent, its lab-grown diamonds were priced well below the retail average, observed industry analyst Edahn Golan, co-founder of data analytics firm Tenoris.
He said in April, the average retail price of a 1-carat lab-grown diamond was $1,093, which is 27 percent more than Lightbox was charging for its standard lab-grown diamonds (G-J color and VS clarity).
Retailers paid $364 when they purchased that diamond, giving them a 67 percent gross margin, he said.
“It looks like De Beers is continuing with its effort to pull down lab-grown diamond retail prices by offering them for far below market prices,” Golan said, while noting that even under the new pricing, Lightbox is still selling well above its costs.
“We should expect continued lab-grown diamond price declines, especially considering the large margins through most of the lab-grown diamond pipeline, and the oversupply of goods,” he concluded.
Related stories will be right here …
Lightbox tested reduced prices in the fourth quarter 2023 and announced Friday it had officially adopted price cuts across the board, with the steepest drop coming for its highest-quality goods.
It is now selling its “Finest” lab-grown diamonds—D-F color, excellent cut, and VS clarity—for $900 a carat, 10 percent lower than the price offered in the Q4 trial ($1,000 per carat), and 40 percent off the original price of $1,500 per carat.
Prices on I-J color lab-grown diamonds were cut 38 percent, from $800 to $500 a carat, while G-H color stones are going for $600 a carat, down 25 percent from $800 a carat.
Even before Lightbox announced it was making its price cuts permanent, its lab-grown diamonds were priced well below the retail average, observed industry analyst Edahn Golan, co-founder of data analytics firm Tenoris.
He said in April, the average retail price of a 1-carat lab-grown diamond was $1,093, which is 27 percent more than Lightbox was charging for its standard lab-grown diamonds (G-J color and VS clarity).
Retailers paid $364 when they purchased that diamond, giving them a 67 percent gross margin, he said.
“It looks like De Beers is continuing with its effort to pull down lab-grown diamond retail prices by offering them for far below market prices,” Golan said, while noting that even under the new pricing, Lightbox is still selling well above its costs.
“We should expect continued lab-grown diamond price declines, especially considering the large margins through most of the lab-grown diamond pipeline, and the oversupply of goods,” he concluded.
Also on Friday, Lightbox announced it would now be obtaining batch quality verification for its lab-grown diamonds through the Gemological Institute of America.
Lightbox said GIA will assess a “statistically significant” sample in each production run to ensure they meet the lab’s quality criteria for color, clarity, and cut. A downloadable GIA “quality verification card” then will be available for each diamond in the batch.
A GIA spokesperson told National Jeweler that the batch verification service launched Friday. It is a service GIA is providing for Lightbox only, just as it does pre-owned jewelry authentication for eBay only.
The service will start with the Lightbox’s D-F color white round brilliant-cut loose lab-grown diamonds, though it could expand to the blue and pink lab-grown diamonds in the future.
Lightbox CEO Antoine Borde said: “Lightbox led the lab-grown diamond jewelry sector six years ago with its $800 a carat linear pricing, and, today, we are pleased to introduce even lower prices, that more closely align with current jewelry industry dynamics.
“Equally, we’re very proud to be working with the GIA to verify the quality and consistency of our stones, which supports purchase confidence and allows us to continue our mission of providing clarity, transparency, and value to our customers.”
More on Lab-Grown
The Latest
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYCSeized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
Weekly QuizApr 16, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsApr 20, 2026
Beth Bernstein, Sonia Esther Soltani Pen New Jewelry Book“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
MajorsApr 20, 2026
Kendra Scott Names New CFO, Chief Business OfficerThe jewelry retailer plans to open 20 new stores this year and expand into new product categories.
TrendsApr 17, 2026
New (Groundbreaking) Floral Jewelry for Spring 2026Flower motifs are the jewelry trend blooming amongst the new collections that debuted this spring.
MajorsApr 17, 2026
QVC Group Files for Chapter 11 BankruptcyThe retailer reported an 8 percent decline in annual sales as it struggles under the weight of billions of dollars of debt.
CollectionsApr 17, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Earrings Are the Devil on Your ShoulderThe “Devil” drop earrings, our Piece of the Week, are part of designer Edina Kiss’ new namesake jewelry line that she will show at Couture.
CrimeApr 17, 2026
FBI Issues Warning to Refineries, Retailers Due to High Price of GoldThe alert states that burglary crews are targeting jewelry businesses and details how jewelers and refineries can protect themselves.
WatchesApr 16, 2026
Cartier Brings Back the RoadsterThe “watchmaker of shapes” debuted the reworked version of the vintage sports car-inspired timepiece at Watches & Wonders.
IndependentsApr 16, 2026
Edge Retail Academy Updates Leadership TeamAs demand for jewelry retail coaching grows, the company has established a dedicated business coaching leadership team.
MajorsApr 16, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Mountings Catalog Is Out NowThe “Mountings 2026-2027” catalog showcases Stuller’s largest and most diverse assortment to date with more than 400 new mounting styles.
PodcastsApr 15, 2026
Episode 4: The Natural Diamond DilemmaSally Morrison and Mark Klein discuss De Beers’ first beacon in 16 years and the mistake the industry made with lab-grown diamonds.
MajorsApr 15, 2026
Spark Creations’ Randy McKenzie Dies at 72 McKenzie spent 45 years with Spark Creations and is remembered for being kind, dedicated, and hardworking.
WatchesApr 15, 2026
These Are the New Rolex Watches for 2026Rolex focused exclusively on the Oyster Perpetual this year, as the model is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
FinancialsApr 15, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Shines in Q1, Gucci’s Struggle ContinuesThe luxury giant discussed the Middle East conflict and its transformation plans, hinting at a stronger jewelry presence in North America.
SourcingApr 15, 2026
Diamond Club West Coast Names 2026 BoardKalpesh Jhaveri was re-elected as president for a third year.
TechnologyApr 15, 2026
This Jewelry Brand’s Video Series Is Up for a Webby Award“Diamond Divas,” a social media reality series by Shahla Karimi Jewelry, is nominated in the “Best Social: Fashion & Beauty” category.
SourcingApr 14, 2026
De Beers Expands ‘Desert Diamonds’ Beacon Into BridalThe campaign seeks to reignite desire for natural diamond engagement rings by highlighting the “distinct character” of warm-toned diamonds.
FinancialsApr 14, 2026
LVMH’s Q1 Sales Sink 6% Amid Middle East ConflictPlus, how Saks Global’s bankruptcy affected the luxury giant’s first quarter.
SourcingApr 14, 2026
International Jade Summit to Return to MontereyPresented by Mason-Kay Jade, the summit, in its second year, will again be held during the Monterey Bay Jade Festival.
Events & AwardsApr 14, 2026
CBG Releases Details for Las Vegas ShowThe group has announced its lineup of speakers and a new “Rising Stars” pavilion.
CollectionsApr 13, 2026
Uniform Object’s New Jewelry Collection Centers on the ‘Carbon Form’The “Carbon Form” collection explores the contrast between high and low materials, using rubber cord alongside 18-karat gold and gemstones.
