EditorsDec 31, 2025
The Top 5 Stories of 2025Articles about crime, engagement rings, and a necklace worn in the World Series generated the most interest among readers.
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.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
MajorsDec 30, 2025
Becka Johnson Kibby to Lead Edge Retail AcademyAs part of the leadership transition, Sherry Smith will take on the role of vice president of coaching strategy and development.
WatchesDec 30, 2025
Bulova, Stetson Collab on Watches With Western FlairThe new Bulova x Stetson designs highlight two animals often associated with the American West—the bison and the Texas Longhorn.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
CollectionsDec 30, 2025
Rahaminov Diamonds Pops Up in FloridaIts residency at Yamron Jewelers will run through May 2026.
Weekly QuizDec 23, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsDec 29, 2025
In Memoriam: Industry Friends We Lost in 2025From influential executives to innovative designers, we pay tribute to the people we said goodbye to this year.
MajorsDec 29, 2025
Tanishq Opens New Stores in Florida, VirginiaThe retailer is expanding into areas with large Indian and South Asian populations.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
MajorsDec 29, 2025
Nanis Opens First Flagship Store The Italian brand has opened its first flagship amid the peaks of the Dolomites in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy.
CrimeDec 24, 2025
LA Jewelry District Couple Pleads Guilty to Hiding Millions from IRSThe couple pleaded guilty to concealing at least $127 million in cash transactions at its precious metals businesses.
SurveysDec 24, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls Again in DecemberConsumers shared concerns about prices, inflation, tariffs, trade, and politics in the survey’s write-in response section.
AuctionsDec 24, 2025
Bonhams to Open New U.S. Flagship in NYCIn February 2026, the auction house will move its headquarters to the former Steinway Hall, a neoclassical landmark on Billionaires’ Row.
Events & AwardsDec 24, 2025
NYC Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show Announces Winter EventThe new show will take place Jan. 23-25, 2026.
SourcingDec 23, 2025
Mining Titan Brian Gilbertson Dies at 82The former BHP Billiton leader and Gemfields chairman is remembered for his influential leadership throughout his 50-year mining career.
Events & AwardsDec 23, 2025
Bulgari Reimagines Costume Designers Guild AwardThe LVMH-owned brand has partnered with the costume design union to revamp its award for 2026.
MajorsDec 23, 2025
Kering to Acquire Stake in Raselli Franco GroupThe luxury titan inked a deal to acquire an initial minority stake in the jewelry manufacturer with a pathway to full ownership by 2032.
MajorsDec 23, 2025
For Future Reference Vintage Enters Bloomingdale’sThe company’s curation of unsigned vintage and estate jewelry debuted at the Bloomingdale’s in Costa Mesa, California.
CrimeDec 22, 2025
Customs Seizes Hundreds of Fake Rolex, Cartier WatchesIn the recent multi-shipment seizure, CBP also found counterfeit Audemars Piguet, Moncler, and Chrome Hearts items.
EditorsDec 22, 2025
How Helzberg Is Reimagining Its StoresHelzberg’s Chief Retail Officer Mitch Maggart shared details about its tests of a new store concept rooted in an elevated luxury experience.
Recorded WebinarsDec 22, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: Looking Back on an Eventful Year Jewelers of America execs and National Jeweler editors discuss tariffs, the sky-high gold price, and the engagement that broke the internet.
MajorsDec 19, 2025
MadaLuxe Group Acquires Ippolita The luxury goods company said founder Ippolita Rostagno will remain at the brand’s helm.
MajorsDec 19, 2025
LVMH Names New Bulgari CEOLaura Burdese, who joined the Italian luxury brand in 2022, will take on the role in July.
EditorsDec 19, 2025
2025 Jewelry Superlatives: A Yearbook-Style Year in Review The National Jeweler editors revisit the most noteworthy industry happenings and design trends from 2025.
AuctionsDec 19, 2025
Jean Schlumberger’s ‘African Cat’ Is Purr-Fection Need a gift for the cat lover who has everything? Look no further than our latest Piece of the Week.
AuctionsDec 18, 2025
Audemars Piguet Reclaims Historic Pocket Watch at AuctionIt purchased the “Grosse Pièce,” an ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch from the ‘20s, for a record-breaking price at Sotheby’s.
Lab-GrownDec 18, 2025
Kira Jewels Debuts Custom Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry ServiceThe lab-grown diamond grower now offers custom engagement and fashion jewelry through its Kira Custom Lab Jewelry service.
EditorsDec 18, 2025
Terry Chandler Looks Back on 40 Years of Opportunity, Change, and FriendsChandler got his start at Michelson Jewelers and has served as DCA president and CEO since 2001. He will retire at the end of the month.
