The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
Take a Look at Lightbox’s New $94M Manufacturing Lab
The new, 60,000-square-foot facility will produce 200,000 carats of lab-grown diamonds annually.

Gresham, Ore.—Lightbox, the De Beers-owned lab-grown diamond brand, is cutting the ribbon on its $94 million manufacturing lab just outside of Portland, Oregon.
As production ramps up, the new, 60,000-square-foot facility will produce 200,000 carats of lab-grown diamonds annually.
“The opening of this facility is a true milestone for the company,” Lightbox CEO Steve Coe said in a press release announcing the opening.
“Manufacturing lab-grown diamonds in the U.S. was a goal from the beginning, and we are so proud to have achieved it with this state-of-the-art laboratory in a region that has become a hub for advanced industries.”
Designed by Chicago-based architecture firm Sheehan Nagle Hartray, the two-story white building resembles the facets of a diamond.
RELATED CONTENT: To Sell, Or Not To Sell: That’s the Lab-Grown Question
The space includes a production floor, mechanical and electrical support spaces, labs, offices, and conference rooms.
The facility will employ 60 full-time engineers, technicians, and administrative personnel.
On the first floor sits a central command station, situated to oversee the lab-grown diamond production space, as well as meeting spaces and a dining area.
The second floor houses office space, with an overlook down to the ground floor.
Both floors will have a view of custom art installations, inspired by the lab-grown diamond fabrication process, Lightbox said.
The brand held a virtual opening of the new facility Thursday to give a closer look at the space.
The presentation opened with a greeting from Adam O’Grady, general manager of the Lightbox lab, who spoke about the company’s journey and why it chose Gresham, Oregon to be the site of the new facility.
“It provides us with access to a very high-quality renewable electrical infrastructure, which is capable of meeting both our immediate power requirements but was also future-proof for growth.”
O’Grady praised the Portland metro area and noted that many employees are from the surrounding area.
Coe answered a few questions sent in by attendees.
On the topic of larger diamonds, Coe said it was possible Lightbox may supply stones over 1-carat in size.
“It’s still a little too early to confirm, but I can say, watch this space,” he said.
“I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see a few 2-carat stones appearing in some of our jewelry during 2021.”
De Beers CEO Bruce Cleaver spoke next, lamenting that the Lightbox lab opening was unable to happen in person due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cleaver clarified Lightbox’s space in the De Beers portfolio.
“De Beers is a natural diamond business
The company recently announced a partnership with jewelry e-tailer giant Blue Nile, launching an exclusive collection of fashion jewelry on its site earlier this week.
SEE: Inside the New Lightbox Facility
The Latest

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.


The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

The family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

Alex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.

The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.

The ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.

The two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.

The time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

From striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.

The jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.