IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
SourcingJun 04, 2019
RapNet Members Reject Idea of Listing Lab-Grown Diamonds
Seventy-nine percent said no to listing man-made diamonds on the site, while 74 percent voted against a price list.
RapNet members voted “no” to the online trading platform listing or providing prices for lab-grown diamonds, Chairman Martin Rapaport announced during his annual breakfast in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas—RapNet members overwhelmingly rejected the idea of the trading platform listing or providing pricing for lab-grown diamonds, it was revealed Sunday.
The Rapaport Group announced May 21 that it was asking registered RapNet members who login to RapNet.com to vote on providing diamond listing and pricing services for lab-grown diamonds.
Voting opened May 26 and closed Friday, May 31. More than 7,000 votes were cast and the results were announced during the annual Rapaport Breakfast in Las Vegas.
According to the tallies released Sunday, 79 percent (5,934 voters) of RapNet members who voted said “no” to listing synthetics, compared with only 1,607 people, or 21 percent, who said yes, a result that drew a hearty round of applause from the audience.
A similar percentage, 74 percent (5,232 voters), rejected the idea of Rapaport launching a lab-grown diamond price list.
RapNet voters also overwhelmingly (88 percent, or 5,892 voters) said “yes” to requiring disclosure of treatments on man-made diamonds and to the establishment of a “natural diamond organization” (85 percent, or 5,528 voters).
Prior to announcing the results of the voting, Rapaport Group Chairman Martin Rapaport used much of his annual two-hour breakfast to express his views on man-made diamonds, echoing what he wrote in an editorial published May 21, “Synthetics Ethics.”
It’s true that lab-grown diamonds do have benefits, including affording retailers better margins and being less expensive than natural diamonds, which can make them an easier sell, he said.
But there is also a long list of negatives surrounding the man-made stones, including that they are being mixed with natural diamonds in jewelry and that sellers make “false claims” about the diamonds’ ethical benefits while ignoring both the development benefits of natural diamonds and any negative impacts the lab-grown diamonds have when comparing the two, Rapaport said.
He said man-made diamonds are doing “long-term reputational damage” to the natural diamond industry, distorting the value of diamonds while also hurting development initiatives—including among artisanal miners—in Africa.
Rapaport went on to say that lab-grown diamond melee will “dominate” natural melee, but there will be a “battle” for engagement rings, which is really the key issue for the jewelry industry.
“We lose engagement rings, we’re done,” he said.
Editor’s note: This story was updated post-publication to include the vote tallies.
The Latest
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
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.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
Events & AwardsAug 31, 2026
Wisconsin Museum to Host Jewelry Exhibition“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
CollectionsAug 31, 2026
Catbird Launches First Men’s Jewelry CollectionThe “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
IndependentsAug 28, 2026
Day’s Jewelers Honored With 3 Workplace AwardsThe employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.
CollectionsAug 27, 2026
Pandora Expands ‘Talisman’ Collection as Lawsuit Continues The second iteration of the jewelry collection was inspired by the zodiac and the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.
CrimeAug 27, 2026
Customs Seizes Nearly 900 Pieces of Counterfeit JewelryThe package, intercepted in Indianapolis, contained fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry.
IndependentsAug 27, 2026
Jessica McCormack to Open First West Coast StoreThe new location in Costa Mesa, California, marks the brand’s second store in the United States and fourth standalone location worldwide.
