Lab-GrownJan 29, 2024
Lab-Grown Diamond Co. Adamas One Risks Nasdaq DelistingLab-GrownFeb 26, 2024
Lightbox ‘Significantly’ Lowered Its Prices in Q4
The De Beers-owned lab-grown diamond company dropped the price on its standard offerings from $800/carat to $600/carat.
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.
Portland, Ore.—Lightbox, the lab-grown diamond brand launched by De Beers Group in 2018, tested 25-33 percent lower prices late last year amid falling wholesale prices for the stones.
In the fourth quarter, Lightbox dropped the price of its standard lab-grown diamonds (G-J color and VS clarity) from $800 per carat to $600 per carat.
Its “Finest” range was reduced to $1,000 per carat, down from $1,500 per carat. Finest are Lightbox’s top-quality diamonds, colorless (D-F) and VVS clarity.
Lightbox also has a line of faint color (K-M), SI clarity diamonds it sells as “Basics” for $600 per carat. It did not lower prices on those goods.
The price trial took place in the fourth quarter and ended in January, the brand confirmed.
Lightbox said it will continue to test lower prices with other promotions as it evaluates the results of the fourth-quarter test to decide on a new, permanent price structure for its lab-grown diamonds.
“Our clear objective, from the beginning, has been to offer our lab-grown diamonds at a fair and reasonable price,” Lightbox CEO Antoine Borde said in a statement to National Jeweler. “To remain competitive in a rapidly changing landscape and pass our cost efficiencies onto consumers, we have been conducting research to align on the best price for the brand.”
Consumers can anticipate new prices from the company in the coming months, he said.
Related stories will be right here …
In the fourth quarter, Lightbox dropped the price of its standard lab-grown diamonds (G-J color and VS clarity) from $800 per carat to $600 per carat.
Its “Finest” range was reduced to $1,000 per carat, down from $1,500 per carat. Finest are Lightbox’s top-quality diamonds, colorless (D-F) and VVS clarity.
Lightbox also has a line of faint color (K-M), SI clarity diamonds it sells as “Basics” for $600 per carat. It did not lower prices on those goods.
The price trial took place in the fourth quarter and ended in January, the brand confirmed.
Lightbox said it will continue to test lower prices with other promotions as it evaluates the results of the fourth-quarter test to decide on a new, permanent price structure for its lab-grown diamonds.
“Our clear objective, from the beginning, has been to offer our lab-grown diamonds at a fair and reasonable price,” Lightbox CEO Antoine Borde said in a statement to National Jeweler. “To remain competitive in a rapidly changing landscape and pass our cost efficiencies onto consumers, we have been conducting research to align on the best price for the brand.”
Consumers can anticipate new prices from the company in the coming months, he said.
Lightbox’s fourth-quarter price test gained attention last week after De Beers parent company Anglo American called it out in its preliminary financial results for 2023.
In the results, the company noted that lab-grown diamonds took market share from natural diamonds last year but said it doesn’t expect that trend to continue as the value of man-made diamonds keeps falling.
“After strong demand in 2021 and 2022, global rough diamond demand fell significantly in 2023. With polished diamond inventories rising and increases in inflation and interest rates, jewelry retailers took a cautious approach to purchasing new stock,” Anglo American said.
“U.S. consumer demand for natural diamonds was impacted by macro-economic challenges as well as rising supply of lab-grown diamonds.”
The company continued, “However, while sales of lab-grown diamonds to consumers increased, wholesale lab-grown prices continued to fall sharply … these price declines are expected to lead to further substantial reductions in retail prices (with De Beers’ Lightbox brand testing significantly lower prices for its products).
“This will further reinforce consumers’ understanding of the fundamental differences between lab-grown and natural diamond jewelry.”
De Beers’ total sales in 2023 fell 35 percent year-over-year to $4.3 billion. Rough diamond sales were down 37 percent to $3.63 billion, as previously reported.
Anglo American wrote down the value of De Beers by $1.6 billion.
More on Lab-Grown
The Latest
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’sThe 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry ShoppingThe Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
16th-Century ‘Gresham Grasshopper’ Ring Sells for $56KThe historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.
Weekly QuizJun 12, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New JewelsTo mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.
SourcingJun 18, 2025
Gemfields Sells 36-Carat Rough RubyThe gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee GroupFounder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry SaleThe top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Amanda Gizzi Gets a Promotion at JAGizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Kering Names Automotive Exec as Its New CEOLuca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.
EditorsJun 16, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Mining, Tariffs, and the Energy of Las VegasFollowing visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.
IndependentsJun 16, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Commitment Campaign Celebrating LGBTQ+ CouplesThe “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos Joins Tiffany & Co.The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Catbird Names WNBA Star Nyara Sabally as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.
CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear EarringsTake a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.
Events & AwardsJun 13, 2025
AGA to Host ‘Diamonds From Mine to Market’ Education ConferenceThe one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella SophieThe California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2025
Gabriel Love Foundation Introduces Scholarship Honoring Elias GabrielThe foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins BonhamsAssimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.
EditorsJun 11, 2025
Q&A: Al Cook on Differentiating Natural Diamonds, Traceability, and TariffsThe De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”
MajorsJun 11, 2025
Pandora Bets on Las Vegas for First North American FlagshipThe Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.
GradingJun 11, 2025
Tiffany Stevens Exits IGI, Lab Appoints New Board LeaderIndustry veteran Anoop Mehta is the new chairman and independent director of the IGI board.
