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| Birmingham: Big demand for affordable lab-grown diamonds | |
| (5 days later) | |
| Madeleine Macey said it was almost impossible to tell the difference between the two types of diamonds | Madeleine Macey said it was almost impossible to tell the difference between the two types of diamonds |
| They have launched millions of marriages and are a symbol of timeless luxury. | They have launched millions of marriages and are a symbol of timeless luxury. |
| But in recent years, the natural diamond industry has been rocked by the growing prominence of man-made, laboratory-grown diamonds. | But in recent years, the natural diamond industry has been rocked by the growing prominence of man-made, laboratory-grown diamonds. |
| A fraction of the cost, the precious stones can be formed in days rather than billions of years, with backers also claiming they are greener. | A fraction of the cost, the precious stones can be formed in days rather than billions of years, with backers also claiming they are greener. |
| Sonny Jogia, managing director of Sonny's Jewellers and JQ Diamonds in Birmingham, said there was a "big demand" for affordable lab-grown fashion jewellery. | Sonny Jogia, managing director of Sonny's Jewellers and JQ Diamonds in Birmingham, said there was a "big demand" for affordable lab-grown fashion jewellery. |
| "There was massive reluctance from a lot of businesses around here initially," he said. | "There was massive reluctance from a lot of businesses around here initially," he said. |
| "I'm a third-generation jeweller, and for my father and grandfather, change wasn't good. When a disrupter enters the market the instinct is to steer clear. | "I'm a third-generation jeweller, and for my father and grandfather, change wasn't good. When a disrupter enters the market the instinct is to steer clear. |
| "But these days there is disruption everywhere, and you need to adapt. If you don't adapt, you fall behind." | "But these days there is disruption everywhere, and you need to adapt. If you don't adapt, you fall behind." |
| Most lab-grown diamonds were produced in India and China, said the Natural Diamond Council | Most lab-grown diamonds were produced in India and China, said the Natural Diamond Council |
| Mr Jogia said he was one of the first shops in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter to invest heavily in laboratory-grown diamonds back in 2021. | Mr Jogia said he was one of the first shops in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter to invest heavily in laboratory-grown diamonds back in 2021. |
| Now he said it made up 40% of his diamond jewellery stock. | Now he said it made up 40% of his diamond jewellery stock. |
| "People can change pieces more often and wear pieces to go with certain outfits," he explained. | "People can change pieces more often and wear pieces to go with certain outfits," he explained. |
| "Natural diamonds aren't going extinct. They come with a story, and people still want that, but I believe the products will live side by side." | "Natural diamonds aren't going extinct. They come with a story, and people still want that, but I believe the products will live side by side." |
| Stanley's Jewellers is a family-run business dating back to the 1970s. Although some lab-grown diamonds are stocked, bosses have decided to focus on natural diamonds for the time being. | Stanley's Jewellers is a family-run business dating back to the 1970s. Although some lab-grown diamonds are stocked, bosses have decided to focus on natural diamonds for the time being. |
| "We've always been a little more sceptical about how they are going to take off," said director Sam Batchelor. | "We've always been a little more sceptical about how they are going to take off," said director Sam Batchelor. |
| "You just worry that it's all the rage and then all of a sudden... If they start saying 'Actually this is not what we thought... we're not going to buy them any more', you're stuck with all these stones." | "You just worry that it's all the rage and then all of a sudden... If they start saying 'Actually this is not what we thought... we're not going to buy them any more', you're stuck with all these stones." |
| Sam Batchelor from Stanley's Jewellers says the business is currently focused on natural diamonds | Sam Batchelor from Stanley's Jewellers says the business is currently focused on natural diamonds |
| At Skydiamond in Stroud, Gloucestershire, they have been making diamonds since 2019. | At Skydiamond in Stroud, Gloucestershire, they have been making diamonds since 2019. |
| Chief executive Madeleine Macey said they were "optically and chemically identical" to a diamond, and it was almost impossible to tell the difference between the two types. | Chief executive Madeleine Macey said they were "optically and chemically identical" to a diamond, and it was almost impossible to tell the difference between the two types. |
| "Natural diamonds are utterly beautiful, but, from a human perspective, it's difficult to properly trace where your stone came from - which mine, which hands it went through," she said. | "Natural diamonds are utterly beautiful, but, from a human perspective, it's difficult to properly trace where your stone came from - which mine, which hands it went through," she said. |
| "What we do know is the environmental factor of digging up the earth is a massive problem." | "What we do know is the environmental factor of digging up the earth is a massive problem." |
| However, the Natural Diamond Council, a not-for-profit organisation set up to promote the positive global impact of the industry, said lab-grown diamonds were not the answer. | However, the Natural Diamond Council, a not-for-profit organisation set up to promote the positive global impact of the industry, said lab-grown diamonds were not the answer. |
| "Most lab-grown diamonds are produced in India and China, and the electricity consumed for those comes from the grid," said chief executive David Kellie. | "Most lab-grown diamonds are produced in India and China, and the electricity consumed for those comes from the grid," said chief executive David Kellie. |
| "What's really important is we protect the economies from where diamonds are recovered. A great example is Botswana. Their economy depends on them." | "What's really important is we protect the economies from where diamonds are recovered. A great example is Botswana. Their economy depends on them." |
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