Why are some jewellers against lab diamonds?
Quick answer
Mostly business reasons. Traditional jewellers built inventory around mined diamonds, and lab supply changed pricing and resale assumptions for that stock. Some genuinely value the rarity of a mined stone and the story attached to it. Resistance has faded as customer demand has settled, and most jewellers now stock both.
The inventory problem
Traditional jewellers held mined diamond stock that they often financed and intended to sell at consistent margins. When lab supply pushed retail prices on equivalent stones down 70%+ in four years, the replacement value of that mined inventory dropped against what consumers expected to pay. That is the core business reason. It is also why some jewellers framed lab-grown as inferior; protecting the perceived value of their existing stock was part of the position.
How the resistance has shifted
By 2026, lab-grown holds about 61% of US engagement ring centre stone purchases. Most jewellers, including De Beers via its Lightbox brand, now sell both. Remaining mined-only resistance tends to come from a smaller segment focused on heirloom, vintage and investment-grade pieces, where the rarity story matters to the buyer. For the typical engagement ring buyer in 2026, that resistance is rare to encounter.
Next step
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