Jewellery: News flash(y)! Diamonds get disrupted
For several years, I'e watched the market for lab-grown diamonds (LGDs) rocket while the mined-diamond industry tries to fight back. In the US, LGDs account for half of all loose diamond sales, an increase from 10% in 2020. Globally, they have had a 38% year-over-year increase since 2022. What's the price difference? An example: a pretty pair of petite "Menage à Trois" diamond earrings from Montréal's Atelier RMR, in 10k yellow gold (higher karat available) with three .09ct diamonds on each earring. Made with lab-grown diamonds (LGD), the price is $CDN 1, 075. Made with natural (mined) diamonds, the price is $2, 450. Photo: Atelier RMR Labs are a consideration provided you are not buying for investmen t. (Even naturals are iffy investments, with few exceptions.) There are environmental and social benefits to labs, but they do use energy. I talked to various persons in the industry; here's what they said: 1. Bench jeweller who makes engagement rings for a numb...
