Kay Jewelers, the biggest jewelry brand in the US, has advertised online a $300 pair of sterling silver earrings, set with lab-grown gems (LGD), with a curious warning: “due to supply constraints, these earrings may include natural diamonds.”
According to IDEX Online, Kay Jewelers may be forced to replace lab grown diamonds with natural diamonds as global demand outstrips supply.
Marty Hurwitz, CEO of The MVEye, market research specialists in gems and jewelry, told IDEX Online that lab grown production had yet to reach consistent levels of quality and quantity to meet growing demand. “There are unquestionably shortages of certain sizes and qualities of LGD and prime growers cannot keep up with the demand that larger retailers and jewelry manufacturers are projecting for their requirements over a 12 month period,” he said.
