Lab-Grown Diamond ‘Dream’ Necklace Sells for $122K at Charity Auction
The piece, created by Smiling Rocks, was the top lot at the recent Ormeley Dinner.

It was the highest grossing item of the evening.
The “Dream” necklace, seen at the top of the article, was created by lab-grown diamond jewelry brand Smiling Rocks and features 54 lab-grown diamonds totaling 74.65 carats, set in 18-karat white gold.

The necklace’s total sale price, $122,000, works out to about $1,634 per carat, above the current per-carat average for lab-grown diamonds.
According to industry analyst Edahn Golan, the average retail price of a 1-carat lab-grown diamond in June of this year was $1,059, 80 percent lower than the price of a natural diamond of the same size.
The fundraiser took place June 13 at the Lindley Hall, The Royal Horticultural Halls, and was attended by His Excellency Ian Khama, former President of Botswana; comedian Sir Lenny Henry; and singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding, among other high-profile individuals.
It was hosted by, and in aid of, animal conservation charity The Aspinall Foundation, as well as Space for Giants, an international conservation charity focused on protecting Africa's remaining natural ecosystems and the wildlife they contain.
Smiling Rocks started supporting Space for Giants in 2020 and together, they have built fences to reduce human-elephant conflict and supported the organization’s "Stop the Illegal Wildlife" campaign.
The lab-grown diamond brand is “pleased to work with a phenomenal charity organization that delivers hands-on impact where it is needed most, supporting and preserving our planet and local communities,” it said.
The charities raised £1.6 million, or $2 million, at the dinner. They say will go toward protecting African habitats and restoring the planet and its species.
The Latest

The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.

The luxury titan’s star brand Gucci continued to struggle amid a "tough" environment.

Its opening marks the completion of the retailer’s new 11,000-square-foot store in the Texas capital.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Respondents shared concerns about tariffs and commentary on the “Big Beautiful Bill.”


“Making a Killing in Diamonds” tells the story of Mimi Rosen, the disappearance of a scientist, and the murder of lab-grown diamond CEO.

Senior Editor Lenore Fedow learned a lot when she took a behind-the-scenes factory tour with the jewelry brand earlier this year.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The first-time exhibitors, set to debut at the New York City show, share a devotion to craftsmanship, storytelling, and material integrity.

The online auction house’s September sale will feature rough Brazilian emeralds of various qualities.

She’ll lead an executive committee consisting of President-Elect Bryan Moeller, Mitchell Clark, Bill Farmer, and Larry Rickert.

Announced Sunday, the deal will set the tax on goods imported into the United States from the European Union at 15 percent.

A new edition of the Italian brand’s “Ipanema” collection has debuted with gemstones that evoke Brazil’s breathtaking views.

The retailer will refer its customers to WonderCare, founded by venture capitalist and watch collector Kevin O’Leary.

The jeweler’s largest store yet is set to open in Little Rock next fall.

Anne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”

Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.

Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.

Mark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.

While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.

The “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.

The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.

JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.

The “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.

Creative Director Erica Bianchini shared why the jeweler is looking to expand into the U.S. and how it’s putting Canadian craftsmanship on the map.

Two Los Angeles Fire Department stations plan to use the donations to upgrade their equipment and tools.

Next week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.