The piece, created by Smiling Rocks, was the top lot at the recent Ormeley Dinner.
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![National Jeweler top 10 stories of 2024 graphic](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/1486f88bcf2d1d411a09d674f3bfaa62.png)
Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff shares a rundown of the National Jeweler website’s most popular articles as we hit the halfway point of the year.
![Al Cook became CEO of De Beers Group in early 2023, succeeding longtime De Beers executive Bruce Cleaver. During an interview at JCK Las Vegas, he discussed the timeline for Anglo American’s sale or demerger of De Beers, the new plan to promote natural diamonds with Signet, and its future plans for the Lightbox factory in Oregon. De Beers CEO Al Cook](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/5b804370945780be5f88b012a47a4753.jpg)
The De Beers CEO discussed the Anglo American situation, natural diamond marketing, and why the future of lab-grown diamonds is technology.
![Peter Smith is an industry consultant, speaker, sales trainer, and author. He can be reached via email at TheRetailSmiths@gmail.com. National Jeweler columnist Peter Smith](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/291907a2143b601916626b3326bf8fac.jpg)
Fresh off Jewelry Market Week 2024, Peter Smith separates the positive—retail and product innovation—from the positively annoying.
![The new Inoveo Platinum (grain pictured at left) and insights into engagement ring and fashion jewelry trends were among the highlights at the Stuller booth at JCK Las Vegas 2024. Platinum grain, an on-trend diamond engagement ring, and on-trend gold hoop earrings](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/430856127c27800ffd788e8b8c08c4cc.jpg)
On-trend engagement rings, bold gold jewelry, and a new platinum alloy were on display at the company’s busy booth.
![The exterior of De Beers Group’s diamond factory in Gresham, Oregon. The company announced last week that it is transitioning production at the facility from diamonds for jewelry to diamonds for industrial and technology uses. CEO Al Cook said the exterior of the factory, which currently reads “Lightbox,” will eventually be rebranded. Exterior Lightbox diamond factory Gresham, Oregon](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/3dc17575a2a3b534b61600d251057ce7.jpg)
The company is pivoting production at its factory in Oregon to industrial diamonds, while the future of Lightbox remains unclear.
![Lightbox, the lab-grown diamond brand De Beers Group launched in 2018 with an $800 per carat pricing structure, is now selling its diamonds for as low as $500 a carat. Pictured is a selection of loose fancy-cut lab-grown Lightbox diamonds. White, pink, and blue lab-grown diamonds from Lightbox](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/a48b90c837455424f3a463df9d16971a.jpg)
The move follows a price-drop test run in Q4 and comes with the addition of a “quality assurance card” from GIA for some loose diamonds.
![Pandora started the year off strong, posting double-digit revenue growth in its first quarter. Pandora jewelry](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/c73e4f56af79a1f20a889d2ccdf57ca8.jpg)
The jeweler credits its recent “Be Love” campaign and ongoing brand revamp for its 17 percent jump in sales.
![American Gem Society Conclave logo 2024](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/c0c54c1df9feb60a527bf269682fadef.jpg)
Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff shares the standout moments from the education sessions she attended in Austin last week.
![The U.K.’s Advertising Standards Authority upheld the Natural Diamond Council’s complaint against U.K.-based retailer Skydiamond. The NDC alleged that Skydiamond’s marketing claims, such as referring to its lab-grown diamonds as “diamonds made entirely from the sky,” were misleading to consumers, and the ASA agreed. Stock image of a gavel](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/b60331cf0f6a415d701f6d2fd9c37a5a.jpg)
NDC filed a complaint against Skydiamond for use of phrases like “diamonds made entirely from the sky.”
![Stuller has released its first catalog for lab-grown diamond jewelry. Stuller catalogs](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/0edde416b0c448371e4f01cdb8bb270d.jpg)
Its updated book for mountings is also now available.
![On Wednesday, AGTA announced a new rule banning the display of loose gemstones or jewelry “comprising non-natural gemstones, ones that are man-made, synthetic, or lab grown,” at all of its shows, beginning with GemFair Tucson 2025. AGTA logo](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/099b4f023045ea5d04b7bb714f8da375.jpg)
Members can still sell lab-grown stones, it said, but only natural gems are allowed on the show floor.
![With Clarity’s new partnership with the NFL lets customers choose from one of 12 team logos to engrave on the inside of their wedding band. With Clarity NFL wedding bands](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/e045c0f97b0e938f5cab2d3ba5ae94b5.jpg)
The limited-edition men’s rings can be customized with one of 12 team logos.
![A 14-karat rose gold swirl bypass solitaire engagement ring set with a 1.10-carat “Forever One” cushion-cut moissanite by Charles & Colvard ($1,149). The company recently launched a B2B platform for moissanite, Charles & Colvard Direct. Charles & Colvard moissanite bypass engagement ring](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/8ae9b2a0bafc2418a00c8ba058f1c578.jpg)
Select independent jewelers and retailers can now purchase moissanite through Charles & Colvard Direct.
![Kira Diam, which bills itself as the largest grower of CVD lab-grown diamonds in the world, installed a 25 megawatt solar plant to power its growing operations. It is one of a number of Indian companies investing in the lab-grown diamond segment despite the stones’ declining price. Kira Diam solar plant](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/a0236e9fa2768c3ea5718a55c8f4edab.jpg)
A combination of factors is driving growth in the industry despite the precipitous drop in prices across the board.
![The International Gemological Institute has a new screening method for telling lab-grown fancy- colored diamonds from natural ones. International Gemological Institute](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/aae6ac4f6580728fbe1906117b2c015a.jpg)
The lab stresses the importance of accurate identification, as the difference in price is “substantial.”
![Kendra Scott just launched a collection of everyday lab-grown diamond jewelry with price points starting at $500. Kendra Scott lab-grown diamond jewelry](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/d463dce4f36845436a43cc29a1700f63.jpg)
The brand also plans to expand its retail footprint from 138 to 200 stores over the next three years.
![Fancy shapes, multiple stones and sculptural designs are just a few of the engagement ring trends experts expect to see flourish or continue in 2024. A selection of engagement rings](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/4fc66c451c8fe031dfa9f5e405b08aa1.jpg)
From three-stone rings to fancy shapes, experts weigh in on what consumers could be looking for this year.
![A yellow gold lab-grown diamond pendant from Lightbox, the De Beers-owned brand. Lightbox tested lower prices in the all-important fourth quarter, marking down its standard range of lab-grown diamonds by 25 percent and its “Finest” range by 33 percent. Lightbox lab grown diamond pendant in yellow gold](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/d6d999a3ebac6ac0ce3d041453b8a2c7.jpg)
The De Beers-owned lab-grown diamond company dropped the price on its standard offerings from $800/carat to $600/carat.
![The Gemological Institute of America is now offering same-day report confirmation for diamonds at all of its labs worldwide. Exact turnaround time will depend on how many diamonds the client is submitting and how busy the lab is. Stock image of diamonds](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/6b0085342ad91df0aba570abe1fd2c8b.jpg)
The new service, introduced to stem fraud related to lab-grown diamonds, will be offered at no cost for the time being.
![Pandora reported a strong fourth quarter, bolstered by a new holiday campaign. Pandora charms](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/4e92c58ae4182fc57542e7d469ca23bb.jpg)
From lab-grown diamond sales to its holiday performance, these are the key takeaways from the jeweler’s 2023 performance.
![Adamas One Corp. is at risk of being delisted from the Nasdaq after failing to file its Form 10-K in a timely manner. The company grows diamond using the CVD process. Stock image of diamonds](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/6f345c9402cbc68c6886d89f97b1f6c8.jpg)
The company did not file its annual 10-K Form, the form that gives a comprehensive summary of financial performance over the past year.
![My Next Question 2024 predictions webinar graphic](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/147e679bd322c78672a176dca97d8809.png)
Sherry Smith and Paul Zimnisky share their predictions for what promises to be an interesting year.
![Peter Smith is an industry consultant, speaker, sales trainer, and author. He can be reached via email at TheRetailSmiths@gmail.com. National Jeweler columnist Peter Smith](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/77eae45d8b1bc9a76b1de6f82a6b3584.jpg)
Peter Smith is optimistic, particularly for jewelers who do these three things well.
![Grading labs IGI and GIA are now offering, in limited capacity, a same-day service to verify if a diamond is lab-grown or natural. Both labs said they plan to expand the service in the near future. Diamond grading lab](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/f6ac85d83c64fc05771aaeea84f61787.jpg)
The labs will verify if a diamond is lab-grown or natural in less than 24 hours.