ColumnistsAug 18, 2026
Peter Smith: The IKEA Effect and Bridal Branding In a new column, Peter Smith posits that people actually enjoy putting together IKEA furniture, and the same is true for engagement rings.
GradingDec 06, 2016
NPR Highlights Lab-Grown Diamonds
National Public Radio recently considered the lab-grown diamond market in a segment on its flagship news program, “All Things Considered.”
New York--National Public Radio just aired “Lab-Grown Diamonds Come Into Their Own,” a piece in which it interviewed diamond industry experts on the growth of the lab-grown diamond market.
In the radio feature and article, written by Nell Greenfieldboyce for “All Things Considered,” NPR noted the advances in diamond-growing technology in recent years, quoting the International Gemological Institute’s David Weinstein as saying that while lab-grown diamonds used to mostly be yellow or brown, they are now “astonishingly white.”
NPR also spoke with Yarden Tsach, of WD Lab Grown Diamonds (formerly Washington Diamonds) near Washington, D.C. Tsach said that lab-grown diamonds can be created in approximately eight weeks.
“The market is huge, we cannot satisfy the demands,” Tsach told NPR.
NPR noted in its story and on-air report that lab-grown diamonds can retail for as much as 30 percent less than a regular diamond, and also cited the 2016 research report from Morgan Stanley, which said that while lab-grown stones make up about 1 percent of the current diamond supply, that figure could rise to between 7 and 15 percent in coming years.
RELATED CONTENT: The State of the Diamond IndustryThis could be aided by major retailers like Barneys embracing lab-grown diamonds; the upscale retailer introduced a collection featuring synthetics in October “as a high-tech, eco-friendly alternative to mined gems,” NPR noted.
The story went on to highlight the potential issues that lab-grown diamonds could create, such as the infiltration of undisclosed synthetics in the market, mentioning the recent discussions were held on this topic at the U.S. Jewelry Council’s recent meeting in New York City.
NPR highlighted the fact that, particularly for small diamonds, it is typically too costly to test the thousands of stones that manufacturers handle, leaving the possibility of undisclosed synthetic diamonds slipping into the natural supply pipeline and creating an issue for the industry.
RELATED CONTENT: 5 Takeaways on the Lab-Grown Diamond MarketNPR’s report also included insights from Tom Moses, the chief laboratory and research officer at the Gemological Institute of America.
At the GIA, their equipment takes two seconds, and eight cents, to test whether a diamond is real or synthetic, he said.
Moses also said that the GIA doesn’t have any bias regarding synthetics. “It’s not our job to determine what’s the right kind of diamond for an individual,” he told NPR.
He noted, however, that it’s important for customers to be clear
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
on exactly what they are buying, meaning whether it is a lab-grown or a natural diamond.
More on Grading
The Latest
Lab-GrownAug 18, 2026
Ring Concierge, Kendall Jenner Collab on Bridal Earrings GiveawayThe jeweler has partnered with Jenner’s 818 Tequila brand to gift lab-grown diamond studs to a bride-to-be and their bridal party.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
Exhibition on Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Studios to Open at The MetThe exhibition will feature more than 100 drawings of stained-glass lampshades, windows, and more, many created by women and émigrés.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
CollectionsAug 17, 2026
Marquise Diamonds Dance in Spinelli Kilcollin’s ‘Wren’ CollectionMarquise-cut diamonds in drop charms are the center of the new collection, reflecting the movement of a dancer in modular styles.
Weekly QuizAug 13, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
There’s a New Jewelry Show Coming to FloridaThe inaugural Fort Lauderdale Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show will be held from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, 2027.
IndependentsAug 14, 2026
Smyth Jewelers to Open Fourth LocationThe family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
CrimeAug 14, 2026
Wife of Man Convicted in Jeweler’s Murder Sentenced for Conspiracy Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.
TrendsAug 14, 2026
Paul Morelli’s Latest ‘Wavey Vine’ Earrings Embrace ColorThe reimagined jewel, our Piece of the Week, trades the diamonds in the original 1998 design for blue, pink, yellow, and green sapphires.
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third StoreThe lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap SchemeTwo suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of BossMichel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.
MajorsAug 12, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names New SVP of SalesLongtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen ZDuvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2026
NAJA Announces Lineup For 2026 Fall Virtual ConferenceThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
