CrimeFeb 27, 2026
Man Charged in Murders of Father, Son Jewelers in ChicagoChicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.
EditorsJun 06, 2014
To carry, or not to carry
I personally attended two panels in Las Vegas where the topic of lab-grown diamonds, also called synthetics, came up; the first covered synthetic diamond disclosure and the second was on five forces shaping the future of the industry. No. 1 of those five was lab-grown diamonds.
The most egregious case documented so far has been the 145 undisclosed synthetics that surfaced in the spring of 2012 at the International Gemological Institute’s Antwerp lab.
A number of other smaller incidents of non-disclosure have occurred since then. While this is obviously a situation the industry needs to address, I think the issue of non-disclosure, at times, overshadows a larger question surrounding lab-grown diamonds that nobody is really asking, even as production ramps up around the globe.
And that is this: Retailers, would you carry a line of lab-grown diamond jewelry in your store? How much actual demand do you see for this product?
There are, after all, legitimate, ethical designers and companies selling synthetics.
Lita Asscher, one of the panelists for the five forces shaping the industry talk mentioned above, is the president of Royal Asscher of America. Her family’s company, which has a rich history in the natural diamond business, sells a line of lab-grown colored fashion diamond jewelry called Rebel Chique online. It’s a great way for people to own yellow, pink or blue diamond jewelry, pieces that would be monetarily out of reach for the vast majority of consumers if set with natural stones.
When I first saw Reena’s news release, I was intrigued. What would make a designer who has worked exclusively with natural stones decide to create a line using lab-grown diamonds? And how was the response from retailers at JCK Las Vegas, where she exhibited the line for the first time?
Reena told me that for her, the choice to design with lab-grown diamonds was a personal and artistic one that sprouted from her own interest in nature vs. nurture. To her, lab-grown diamonds are an example of human innovation and our ability to take inspiration from nature and create something through nurture.
She said at the show, response to her first Nuture line, The Moments Collection, was very positive because the retailers are looking for something different.
Nuture by Reena, I should mention, is a line of lab-grown diamond jewelry that comes with a wearable technology twist. The pieces have a QR code that connects them with an app specifically designed for the Moments collection. The app allows users to share the story behind the “moment” when the jewelry was exchanged.
In the end, Reena said, today’s consumers are looking for a choice, and that is all she trying to give them: a choice to buy lab-grown diamond jewelry if they want it, with clear education and total transparency.
“The question I would ask is, what can we do to make sure that lab-grown diamonds find their rightful place and are given the ability to present themselves fairly?” Reena said. “History has shown that with acceptance comes peace, harmony and real growth.”
So, retailers, the question comes down to you: to carry, or not to carry, jewelry set with lab-grown diamonds in your store?
In the end, Reena said, today’s consumers are looking for a choice, and that is all she trying to give them: a choice to buy lab-grown diamond jewelry if they want it, with clear education and total transparency.
“The question I would ask is, what can we do to make sure that lab-grown diamonds find their rightful place and are given the ability to present themselves fairly?” Reena said. “History has shown that with acceptance comes peace, harmony and real growth.”
So, retailers, the question comes down to you: to carry, or not to carry, jewelry set with lab-grown diamonds in your store?
More on Editors
The Latest
SourcingFeb 27, 2026
South African Diamond Mine Closes Amid Search for Missing WorkersOwners of the Ekapa Mine reportedly filed for liquidation about a week after a mudslide trapped five workers who have yet to be found.
MajorsFeb 27, 2026
Jewelers Mutual to Donate $10M to Savannah College of Art and DesignA 10-year alliance has also begun to address the shortage of bench jewelers through scholarships, enhanced programs, and updated equipment.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
CollectionsFeb 27, 2026
Renato Cipullo Turns Gold into HardstonesThe “Splendente” collection has evolved to feature hardstone letter pendants, including our Piece of the Week, the onyx “R.”
Weekly QuizFeb 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsFeb 26, 2026
Noonans to Auction Lady Wardington’s JewelryThe jewelry collection belonged to “one of society's most glamorous and beautiful women of the mid-20th century,” said the auction house.
SourcingFeb 26, 2026
Anglo American CEO Gives Insight Into De Beers SaleThe update came as Anglo took its third write-down on the diamond miner and marketer, which lost more than $500 million in 2025.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
ColumnistsFeb 26, 2026
Practical Ways Jewelers Can Leverage AI in 2026Emmanuel Raheb discusses the rise of “GEO” and the importance of having well-written, quality content on your website.
CrimeFeb 26, 2026
Three Sentenced in California Jewelry HeistEach received around four years for burglarizing a jewelry store and a coffee shop in Simi Valley, California, last May.
Events & AwardsFeb 26, 2026
GIA Names 2026 Jewelry Design Contest Winner, Retires Annual AwardCatherine Aulick, a GIA graduate, received the ninth and final Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.
TrendsFeb 25, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
SourcingFeb 25, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
PodcastsFeb 25, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
WatchesFeb 25, 2026
Private Equity Firms Write Down Value of Breitling, Report SaysThe Swiss watchmaker is battling declining sales amid a rapid retail expansion, according to a Financial Times report.
CollectionsFeb 25, 2026
Rahaminov Diamonds’ New Campaign Honors Its MatriarchThe campaign celebrates Giustina Pavanello Rahaminov, the co-founder’s wife and matriarch of the family-owned brand, for her 88th birthday.
IndependentsFeb 25, 2026
Borsheims Names 2025 ‘Ike-It’ Award WinnerRachel Bennett, a senior jeweler who has been with Borsheims since 2004, earned the award.
Policies & IssuesFeb 24, 2026
IEEPA Tariffs Terminated, New 10% Tariff Already ImposedAfter the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs, President Trump imposed a 10 percent tax on almost all imports via a different law.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Sherry Smith Now Principal Partner at The Retail SmithsThe industry veteran, who was with The Edge Retail Academy for 14 years, joins her husband at the company he founded in 2022.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Yafa Signed Jewels to Open Store in MiamiThe vintage signed jewelry retailer chose Miami due to growing client demand in the city and the greater Latin American region.
WatchesFeb 24, 2026
Chrono24 Names New VP, U.S. General ManagerFormer Flight Club executive Jin Lee will bring his experience from the sneaker world to the pre-owned watch marketplace.
SourcingFeb 23, 2026
Designer Eddie Sakamoto, a Humble Artist, Dies at 72Sakamoto, who died in mid-January following a sudden illness, is remembered for his humility and his masterful, architectural designs.
Events & AwardsFeb 23, 2026
NYCJAOS Announces Four-Day Spring ShowThe April event will feature a new VIP shopping day requiring a special ticket.
TrendsFeb 23, 2026
Dua Lipa Is Bulgari’s New AmbassadorBulgari chose the British-Albanian singer-songwriter for her powerful and enduring voice in contemporary culture, the jeweler said.
Policies & IssuesFeb 20, 2026
Supreme Court Rules Against Most of President Trump’s TariffsIn a 6-3 ruling, the court said the president exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping tariffs under IEEPA.
ColumnistsFeb 20, 2026
Peter Smith: Happiness, Cavemen, and Jewelry SalesSmith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.
MajorsFeb 20, 2026
Jewelers Vigilance Committee Names Julie Yoakum Board ChairJVC also announced the election of five new board members.
