Sourcing

Stuller Adds Lab-Grown Diamonds to its Inventory

SourcingMar 02, 2016

Stuller Adds Lab-Grown Diamonds to its Inventory

The company, which is one of the largest suppliers in the United States, said it wants to “give jewelers every option they need to thrive.”

20160302_Stuller-lab-grown.jpg
Stuller is now selling lab-grown diamonds. “We want to give jewelers every option they need to thrive and many of our customers already offer these diamonds with great success,” Stanley Zale said of the company’s decision to deal in the man-made stones.

Lafayette, La.--Stuller Inc., one of the largest jewelry manufacturers and suppliers in the United States, announced this week that it has added lab-grown diamonds to its product mix and, in fact, has been selling the stones since before the holidays.

Stuller is starting with a small assortment of the stones--as of Tuesday afternoon, the company had only 20-some lab-grown diamonds listed on its website, and Stuller’s Vice President of Diamonds and Gemstones Stanley Zale confirmed that that represents the entirety of what Stuller has available right now.

However, he said demand has been “stronger than anticipated” so far and that Stuller is continually adding more inventory.

Once available in limited quantities and sizes, lab-grown diamonds are becoming more mainstream as technology has improved to the point that diamond growers are able to produce steady streams of the stones, which are, in turn, getting picked up and sold by a growing number of suppliers and retailers.

Rogers & Hollands and Robbins Brothers both sell lab-grown diamonds. Over the summer, Helzberg Diamonds launched a pilot program offering white, yellow and pink lab-grown diamonds in select stores in four states, Virginia, Florida, Illinois and Arizona. Helzberg did not respond to inquiries about the current status of the program by press time.

Also, just last month, a total of 11 diamond growers announced the formation of the International Grown Diamond Association, a group designed to educate the public and stoke demand for the stones, in much the same way the world’s biggest diamond miners hope to buoy demand for natural diamonds via the Diamond Producers Association.

Zale said, in the end, Stuller opted to add lab-grown diamonds to its product mix because it wants to give jewelers’ choices.

“Whatever they are choosing, changing or creating with Stuller they can decide what center stone works best for their customer,” he said. “It might a natural diamond, a ruby or an emerald, a Forever One moissanite or even a lab-grown diamond.

“We’re here to help our customers succeed as jewelers.”

Stuller is sourcing the stones from a number of diamond growers though it declined to give the names of specific companies, noting that it is not its practice to name vendors except in cases where the merchandise is branded.

The lab-grown diamonds are being sold as loose stones and range in size from 0.34 to 2.15 carats, F to K and VS1 to

I2, ranges the company views as the “sweet spot” for color, clarity and size, Zale said.

They are, for the most part, 50 to 60 percent cheaper than comparable mined diamonds listed on RapNet and come with a report from the Gem Certification and Assurance Lab (GCAL), the New York lab run by Don Palmieri, and a unique inscription on the girdle.

Stuller said its lab-grown diamonds are kept in a separate vault, stored and shipped in a distinct blue acrylic box, and always are handled separately from its mined diamond inventory.

Zale also noted that Stuller has been screening all diamonds weighing more than 0.20 carats for the possibility of being lab-grown for several years now.

For smaller diamonds, the company purchased one of De Beers’ Automated Melee Screening machines in 2014 and Zale said they follow De Beers’ recommended screening protocol for its use.

“But,” he added, “melee screening is a challenge, so we also look to our suppliers to provide assurances and warranties that they are not using lab-grown (diamonds).”
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

Beck pieces created for residency at Trove
CollectionsMar 18, 2025
Beck Debuts New Collection as Trove’s Latest Designer-in-Residence

Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz created more than 75 new pieces for the residency, which will be on display at Trove’s store in New York through April.

National Jeweler columnist Peter Smith
ColumnistsMar 18, 2025
Peter Smith: The Importance of Culture in Hiring

Smith explores why a qualified candidate might still not be right for the job.

Finks Jewelers Emmy award
Events & AwardsMar 18, 2025
Fink’s Jewelers Is Now a Regional Emmy Winner

The company and its marketing agency, Loudr, were recognized for the “Make You Dance” marketing campaign.

Supplier Spotlight -Recorded-Webinar.png
Brought to you by
Watch: GIA Field Gemology at the One-Hundredth Expedition: A Look Back and to the Future

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

Citizen premiere
WatchesMar 18, 2025
Citizen Announces New Modern Luxury Watch Category

The “Series8” and “Attesa” collections will be grouped under Citizen Premier.

Weekly QuizMar 14, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Borsheims Assistant IT Manager David Fager
MajorsMar 18, 2025
Borsheims Names New Assistant IT Manager

David Fager, a former systems engineer at the retailer, was promoted to the role.

The 2025 Gem Awards
Events & AwardsMar 17, 2025
Gem Awards Honor All Facets of the Industry

From retailers to designers and the media, the fine jewelry industry recognized one another’s work and looked to the future.

Facets-of-Fire-Difference-You-Can-See.jpg
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean More

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.

Eleanor H. Yeh GIA jewelry design
Events & AwardsMar 17, 2025
GIA Names Winner of Emerging Jewelry Design Talent Award

Eleanor H. Yeh is the recipient of the eighth annual Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.

 Joseph Cavalcante Tous managing director
MajorsMar 17, 2025
Tous Names U.S. Managing Director, VP

Joseph Cavalcante takes on the dual role as the Spanish jewelry brand looks to expand further into the U.S. market.

Continental Buying Group logo
Events & AwardsMar 17, 2025
CBG Expands Las Vegas Show to 3 Days

The trade show has also upgraded its venue to the Caesars Forum Conference Center.

Stafford’s Diamonds closing ad
IndependentsMar 14, 2025
Stafford’s Diamonds in Ohio to Close After 40 Years

The Dayton-based jeweler, which has been in business since 1985, was formerly known as Stafford Jewelers.

Alan Zimmer
Events & AwardsMar 14, 2025
JVC Reveals Recipient of Stanley Schechter Award

Reeds Jewelers CEO Alan Zimmer will be presented with the honor at JVC’s annual luncheon.

Sorellina’s Aries Zodiac Pendant
CollectionsMar 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Sorellina’s Aries Zodiac Pendant

The piece, celebrating birthdays from March 21 to April 19, debuted with Sorellina’s new line of astrological pendants.

Tanishq Atlanta store
MajorsMar 13, 2025
Tanishq Opens 2 New Stores in the U.S.

The Indian jewelry brand recently opened stores in Atlanta and Seattle.

Woman wearing Brilliant Earth jewelry
FinancialsMar 13, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s 2024 Sales Struggled Amid Engagement Recovery

CEO Beth Gerstein shared its most popular price points, what’s trending in non-bridal fine jewelry, and its holiday performance.

Chopard Insofu emerald collection
CollectionsMar 13, 2025
Chopard Unveils High Jewelry Collection Created From 6,225-Carat Emerald

The 15 pieces were crafted from the “Insofu” emerald, discovered in Zambia in 2010.

Chris Anderson
MajorsMar 13, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Names New CFO, Treasurer

Chris Anderson is joining the insurance provider as the new chief financial officer and treasurer.

Jewelers of America’s new natural and lab-grown diamond brochure
Lab-GrownMar 13, 2025
JA Offering Some ‘Counter Intelligence’ on Diamonds

Jewelers of America is distributing a brochure for retailers to use when discussing the differences between natural and lab-grown diamonds.

Limelight Lab Grown Diamond store in India
Lab-GrownMar 12, 2025
Beyond Jewelry: Possibilities in the Lab-Grown Diamond Sector

As lab-grown diamond brands pop up across India, academics are researching how to grow demand outside of the jewelry industry.

Diamonds Do Good honoree Govind Dholakia at medical camp
SourcingMar 12, 2025
Indian Leader, Retailer Among 2025 DDG Honorees

Govind Dholakia and Tanishq will be recognized for their contributions to the industry at the Diamonds Do Good Awards in Las Vegas.

Marla Aaron Liberty London Shop-in-Shop
IndependentsMar 12, 2025
Marla Aaron Migrates to London

The New York City-based brand has opened its first U.K. location with a permanent shop-in-shop at Liberty in London.

Medieval sapphire bishop ring
AuctionsMar 12, 2025
A Medieval Bishop’s Sapphire Ring Is Going Up for Sale

A metal detectorist discovered the ring that is believed to have belonged to a bishop in the late 12th to early 13th century.

JA New York sign
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2025
JA New York Announces Education, Live Demo Lineups

Organizers looked to new partnerships and interactive experiences to enhance the spring show, set for March 16 to 18.

Jewelers Vigilance Committee annual luncheon 2025 logo
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2025
Bogolo Joy Kenewendo to Speak at Annual JVC Luncheon

Kenewendo, Botswana’s minister of minerals and energy, will discuss the future of diamonds.

Jaythan Lawrence Gilder and body scan
CrimeMar 11, 2025
Man in Florida Swallows Allegedly Stolen Tiffany & Co. Jewelry

The suspect allegedly stole almost $800,000 worth of diamond jewelry from a store in Orlando and then swallowed it during a traffic stop.

Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams
ColumnistsMar 11, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Pose on the Red Carpet

Ahead of the Gem Awards on Friday, Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share pro tips for taking the best photos.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy