Policies & IssuesJul 28, 2025
U.S.-EU Come to Agreement on Tariffs Announced Sunday, the deal will set the tax on goods imported into the United States from the European Union at 15 percent.
SourcingMay 07, 2018
Altr Brought a 4-Carat Man-Made Pink Diamond to Borsheims
The company says it’s the largest lab-grown pink diamond in the world.
This 3.99-carat fancy orangy pink diamond was grown by the Riam Group and is said to be the largest man-made pink diamond in the world. The company has named the Asscher-cut stone “The Pink Rose.”
Omaha, Neb.—Altr, the lab-grown arm of the Riam Group, has created a pink diamond that’s nearly 4 carats.
Displayed at Omaha, Nebraska, retailer Borsheims over the weekend, the diamond is a 3.99-carat Asscher cut grown using the chemical vapor deposition process (CVD) and was graded by GCAL as a fancy orangy pink of VS2 clarity.
While there are larger lab-grown diamonds in the world—WD Lab Grown Diamonds announced the growth and sale of a 6-carat round white diamond earlier this year, and St. Petersburg, Russia-based New Diamond Technology has created blue diamonds as big as 10 carats—Altr President Amish said that to his knowledge, this is the biggest man-made pink in the world.
It has been more than a decade in development.
In an interview Thursday afternoon at Borsheims, Shah said back in the early aughts, he was working for diamond company Grosbard, which was attempting to grow pinks using the HPHT method. But, he said, they couldn’t get the “baby” pink shade that’s most desirable. Instead, the stones were turning out a sort of raspberry color.
In 2011, he took over Grosbard and his family, which has been in the mined diamond business for 75 years, incorporated R.A. Riam Group Inc. in New York.
The company began growing diamonds using the CVD process, but Shah said they didn’t even try to make pinks at first because the cost of the research and development wasn’t worth the potential return.
Now, with the Riam Group’s Altr brand off the ground, it is.
Altr had 10 pink lab-grown diamonds at Borsheims, and Shah said they aim to have at least 20 more for the JCK Las Vegas show.
The 3.99-carat lab-grown pink diamond, dubbed “The Pink Rose,” retails for about $110,000. (A mined pink diamond of the same size and similar color would sell for more than $1 million.)
Altr brought in its lab-grown pinks to Borsheims for the Berkshire Hathaway shareholders weekend, the annual series of events scheduled around the shareholders meeting on Saturday, during which Chairman Warren Buffett and Vice Chairman Charlie Munger sit on a stage on the floor of CenturyLink Center and answer questions for six hours.
Save for a lull during the meeting on Saturday, shareholders crowded the 33,000-square-foot store over the weekend, some doing serious shopping while others just browsed.
In an interview on Saturday afternoon, CEO Karen Goracke, who has headed Borsheims since 2013, said while she didn’t have sales figures yet, it seemed
to her to be busier than in years past.
Alongside the pink lab-grown diamonds and special inventory from other vendors—Cartier brought along two tourbillon watches that had never left its New York City flagship—Borsheims was selling a selection of items featuring a copy of the Oracle of Omaha’s signature.
His likeness also was visible all over Omaha over the weekend—on sandwich boards in front of businesses in the city’s Old Market district and on T-shirts and shoes in the CenturyLink exhibit hall, where products from various Berkshire Hathaway-owned businesses were on sale.
So, what it is like to work for a man whom so many follow with such fervor?
“He’s magical,” Goracke said, noting his genuine love for business, dedication to ethics and down to earth-style of speaking.
“He’s such a nice person. What’s most important to him is that we (Borsheims) represent the Berkshire brand well.”
And, she added, that employees are happy.
Alongside the pink lab-grown diamonds and special inventory from other vendors—Cartier brought along two tourbillon watches that had never left its New York City flagship—Borsheims was selling a selection of items featuring a copy of the Oracle of Omaha’s signature.
His likeness also was visible all over Omaha over the weekend—on sandwich boards in front of businesses in the city’s Old Market district and on T-shirts and shoes in the CenturyLink exhibit hall, where products from various Berkshire Hathaway-owned businesses were on sale.
So, what it is like to work for a man whom so many follow with such fervor?
“He’s magical,” Goracke said, noting his genuine love for business, dedication to ethics and down to earth-style of speaking.
“He’s such a nice person. What’s most important to him is that we (Borsheims) represent the Berkshire brand well.”
And, she added, that employees are happy.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
CollectionsJul 28, 2025
Nanis Brings a New Palette to ‘Ipanema’A new edition of the Italian brand’s “Ipanema” collection has debuted with gemstones that evoke Brazil’s breathtaking views.
MajorsJul 28, 2025
The 1916 Company Partners with ‘Shark Tank’ Star’s Watch Insurance PlatformThe retailer will refer its customers to WonderCare, founded by venture capitalist and watch collector Kevin O’Leary.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
IndependentsJul 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin to Open Flagship in Arkansas The jeweler’s largest store yet is set to open in Little Rock next fall.
Weekly QuizJul 25, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ NecklaceAnne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
Events & AwardsJul 25, 2025
Pre-Registration Open for September Hong Kong ShowJewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
FinancialsJul 25, 2025
LVMH Sales Slip in H1 Amid ‘Prevailing Uncertainties’Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.
Events & AwardsJul 24, 2025
2 Retailers to Receive 2026 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementMark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.
CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio CharactersThe “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.
WatchesJul 24, 2025
Breitling Drops Super Bowl Watch Honoring the Philadelphia Eagles The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.
CrimeJul 23, 2025
JSA Warns of Violent String of Smash-and-Grabs in California JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.
CollectionsJul 23, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Kashmir’ Collection Is a Tribute to Northern IndiaThe “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
Montreal’s Ecksand Eyes Move to SoHoCreative Director Erica Bianchini shared why the jeweler is looking to expand into the U.S. and how it’s putting Canadian craftsmanship on the map.
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
IJO Raises Nearly $37K for LA Fire Relief Two Los Angeles Fire Department stations plan to use the donations to upgrade their equipment and tools.
CollectionsJul 22, 2025
Jewelry With a Rock ‘n’ Roll Aesthetic Heads to Sotheby’s LondonNext week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.
ColumnistsJul 22, 2025
The Gifting Gap: How to Market Jewelry Beyond the HolidaysEmmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2025
NY Now’s Summer Market Returns in AugustThe wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.
MajorsJul 21, 2025
Rio Grande Expands Personalization OfferingsAs demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
NAJA’s 2025 ‘Ace It’ Conference To Go VirtualThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.
TrendsJul 21, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Graduated With Honors Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement PlansHe retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm NecklaceThe charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board MembersThe organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.
TechnologyJul 18, 2025
Brad Campbell, John Liebler Join Clientbook’s Executive Team Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.
