JB Insights
LGD prices tumble; “green, sustainability” hype is fading out
New 18K Lightweight Designer Brand Launches in Trivandrum, Blending Style, Comfort, and Ethical Luxury
The man-made diamond boom is over, and prices for ultra-trendy lab-grown diamonds are set to tumble this year, industry veterans say. Paul Zimnisky, a leading diamond analyst, foresees jewellers scaling back their business in lab-grown diamonds while ramping up their focus on natural diamonds over the next year. In fact, most jewellers aren’t even bothering to stock lab-grown diamonds in inventory, and are only purchasing them on consignment, he told Business Insider.
Some of the shine behind lab-grown gems has diminished, largely because they’re so widely available. Lab-grown stones now make up around 20% of the total diamond market, Zimnisky estimates, up from nearly zero percent in 2015.
It’s the exact opposite of what jewellers have seen since 2018, when the hype around lab-grown diamonds took off. “Some of the fad is starting to fade a bit,” Zimnisky said. Retailers now “aggressively” push lab-grown stones. “I think it’s become a lot more mainstream.”
Lab-grown diamond prices, already a fraction of natural diamonds, could see an additional 80% decline, according to industry expert Cormac Kinney, CEO of Diamond Standard. Since their mainstream introduction in 2018, the price gap between lab-grown and natural diamonds has expanded, with some lab-grown diamonds now priced at just 10% of their natural counterparts. Kinney believes there is still significant room for prices to drop, anticipating a further 50% to 80% reduction.
“Fashion jewellery is always a very small fraction of real jewellery. Only real is rare.” He added: “Jewellers will tell me that a growing number of couples are coming in one to three years after buying an engagement ring and replacing it with a natural diamond.”
The hype about LGDs being “green and sustainable” seems to be dying out. Pandora’s CEO Alexander Lacik says consumers don’t buy LGDs because they’re “sustainable”. They buy them because they’re cheap.
Alexander Lacik told Fortune magazine: “When we talk about product choice, there are only two things that actually drive behaviour,” he said. Price and design. “ESG (environmental, social, and corporate governance) is a nice feature and for the people that are interested, we have a good story to tell, but it’s not the driver of the business.”
Gen Zs and millennials may claim they’re driven by environmental concerns, said Lacik, but at the end of the day they want the biggest stone they can get for their budget.
LGDs are mostly produced in factories by machines that require constant power. While there is a substantial range of outcomes depending on where the factory is located, the notion that lab-grown diamonds are “more environmentally friendly” is debatable.
JB Insights
Women Leaders Driving the Luxury Renaissance
How Female Leaders Are Redefining the Future of Luxury Watches & Jewellery. A powerful new era emerges as top global maisons embrace female leadership, reshaping strategy, creativity, and the future of billion-dollar luxury empires.
For decades, the world of fine jewellery and luxury watchmaking has dazzled with feminine allure—yet the boardrooms steering these global luxury giants remained largely dominated by men. While women have always been the heart of the industry as consumers, muses, and creative inspirations. Today, that narrative is being rewritten.
Across the globe, luxury watch and jewellery houses are witnessing a historic shift: women are increasingly taking centre stage as CEOs, artistic directors, and decision-makers, steering strategy and shaping the future of some of the world’s most iconic brands. This rise of female leadership is not just a symbolic change—it’s redefining the creative and commercial landscape of the luxury sector.
A Spotlight on Powerful Women Shaping the Industry
Here are some of the remarkable women redefining the luxury frontier:
Caroline Scheufele, Co-President & Artistic Director, Chopard
The creative force behind some of Chopard’s most iconic collections, Caroline Scheufele blends heritage with modernity, championing craftsmanship and sustainability.
Ilaria Resta, CEO, Audemars Piguet
With her dynamic leadership and consumer-centric vision, Ilaria Resta is guiding the watchmaking powerhouse into a new era of relevance and cultural presence.
Catherine Rénier, CEO, Van Cleef & Arpels
Known for her strategic elegance, Catherine Rénier is strengthening the maison’s identity through poetic storytelling and exceptional artistry.
Laura Burdese, Deputy CEO, Bvlgari
Laura Burdese plays a pivotal role in steering Bvlgari’s global expansion, bringing a strategic, bold approach to one of the most recognisable luxury brands.
Sabina Belli, CEO, Pomellato
A champion of women empowerment, Sabina Belli is credited with elevating Pomellato’s identity as a modern, fashion-forward jewellery brand with deep Milanese roots.
Hélène Poulit-Duquesne, CEO, Boucheron
Her leadership has pushed Boucheron into an exciting contemporary phase, blending innovation with emotional storytelling and bold design.
A Shift That Goes Beyond Leadership
This rise of women in top leadership roles is influencing every facet of the luxury jewellery ecosystem:
- Design philosophies are evolving with deeper emotional narratives, inclusivity, and modern cultural relevance.
- Brand strategies increasingly reflect values like sustainability, authenticity, and empowerment.
- Consumer engagement is becoming more experiential, storytelling-driven, and globally attuned.
These executives are not simply filling leadership positions—they are reshaping the definition of luxury itself.
The New Blueprint for the Future
The ascent of female leaders marks a pivotal moment for an industry long shaped by tradition. Their vision is ushering in a new era where creativity meets strategic innovation, and where luxury houses embrace contemporary values without compromising on heritage.
The future of luxury watches and jewellery is being rewritten—and women are holding the pen.
As global maisons continue to embrace this transformation, one thing is certain: the industry is entering its most exciting chapter yet, driven by the creativity, clarity, and leadership of exceptional women at the helm.
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JewelBuzz is Asia’s First Digital Jewellery Media & India’s No.1 B2B Jewellery Magazine, published by AM Media House. Since 2016, we’ve been the trusted source for jewellery news, market trends, trade insights, exhibitions, podcasts, and brand stories, connecting jewellers, retailers, and industry professionals worldwide.