IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Brought to you by
Protecting Your Sparkle: Why Screening Has Become Essential
While no reputable jeweler would knowingly sell lab-grown stones as natural, it's a growing possibility.
Brought To You By IGI
As symbols of love and commitment, few things are more cherished than diamonds. Natural diamonds are revered as timeless miracles of nature. Lab-grown diamonds are affordable, man-made marvels. Each product has its own separate appeal.
The word “separate” is paramount here: Whether you sell natural diamonds (ND), lab-grown diamonds (LGD), or both, inadvertent mixing by experts can threaten one’s sparkling reputation.
While no reputable jeweler would knowingly sell lab-grown stones as natural, we all must face the growing possibility in our stores. LGD have permeated every major trading center. Small stones find their way into ND melee parcels. Larger stones are traded between consumers online, acquired by pawn shops with no testing, and even are purchased over-the-counter by professionals who are unequipped to detect them.
The Elephants in the Room
Two issues make this undisclosed mixing a growing danger. The first is confusion about detection. An alarming number of pros continue to mistakenly believe that inexpensive diamond testers will distinguish ND from LGD. Common electronic testers can misidentify HPHT-grown stones as Moissanite (learn why that happens here). Inexperienced jewelers mistakenly believe such basic testers will identify all lab-grown stones the same way. Which is patently false. Thermal testers make no distinction whatsoever and electronic testers frequently conclude ND and LGD are identical. These instruments are not useful and can be damaging to one’s reputation.
The second issue is the high cost and limited reliability of useful detection technology. There are UV-based testers designed to help separate LGD from ND, but they can cost thousands of dollars and are not 100 percent conclusive, particularly on mounted goods. In most cases, experienced human judgment is also required, which is why the guidance states that these instruments are not a substitute for laboratory screening.
Professionals who proactively invest in the latest detection technology are to be commended. However, precautions should not stop in the back office, particularly for goods that have changed hands.
Protect Yourself
Like any industry, ours will always have its share of bad actors hoping to profit from the ignorance and mistakes of others. Headlines are made when large stones, submitted to grading institutes for natural diamond reports, are revealed to be lab-grown. Some incidents have been extremely sophisticated, using lab-grown stones created to have measurements and inclusions that closely match a pre-existing ND report.
Grading institutes are well-equipped to avoid such scams, but most retail jewelers are not. Independents regularly are burned when making purchases that they learn later were misrepresented. For that matter, fraud is not always malicious. Some people don’t inform their fiancé that they’re proposing with a lab-grown stone. Years later, should they seek the value of what they always presumed to be a natural diamond, the jeweler across the counter may have to deliver bad news. If the piece was labeled natural at take-in, based on word alone, things could even get messy legally.
Call IGI for Support
IGI offers affordable, advanced gemstone screening for both loose and mounted goods. Through advanced spectrometric analysis IGI can quickly and decisively assess and identify any item, whether parcels of breakout melee, items bought over-the-counter, purchased from estate sales, or purchased from another retailer. IGI’s locations in New York and Los Angeles have made these services cost-effective with fast turnround, including options for same-day results.
IGI also can issue a grading report confirming all aspects of any piece of jewelry. From small credit-card sizes to half, and full-page documents, any piece of jewelry can be supported factually by an IGI report verifying its authenticity.
Top Reasons to Protect Yourself
- Guarantee authenticity and trust
- Avoid legal and ethical risks
- Boost consumer confidence
- Increase the item’s value
- Give your client an insurance-ready document
As the diamond industry evolves, it is more important than ever for professionals to ensure the authenticity of the items they sell. Third-party certification is designed to help jewelers protect their reputation, avoid legal and ethical pitfalls, increase the value of their products, and build trust with their customers.
In a world where lab-grown diamonds are becoming more common, a jewelry grading report is not just a piece of paper. It’s a testament to a jeweler’s commitment to honesty and quality. This added layer of assurance helps build stronger customer relationships, encouraging repeat business and positive word-of-mouth.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
MajorsApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
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.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
Weekly QuizApr 16, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
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.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
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.
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.
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.
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.
