Editor’s Note
**Editor’s Note:** This article explores the shifting dynamics in the diamond industry as designer Stephanie Gottlieb embraces lab-grown diamonds—a move that, while potentially divisive, has drawn surprising support from traditional players like the Natural Diamond Council.
Stephanie Gottlieb (pictured) knows her move into lab-grown diamonds could be controversial. But the decision finally made sense for the New York City–based jewelry designer and retailer—and the industry seems to agree.
She is doing it in a way that perhaps the entire jewelry industry can get behind. Even the Natural Diamond Council had to comment on her Instagram post sharing her decision to enter the lab-grown world with a positive comment.
Historically, the pricing on lab diamonds didn’t make sense to me, but that’s changed—making them the perfect material for fashion-forward, fun pieces.
Natural diamonds remain the foundation of our brand and always will. Their rarity, history, and enduring value make them incredibly meaningful, especially for engagement rings, milestone jewelry, and pieces meant to be passed down for generations. Offering both natural and lab-grown diamonds allows us to serve different needs without compromising our point of view. Natural diamonds are the choice for life’s biggest moments and heirloom pieces, while lab-grown diamonds give us the freedom to create bold, fashion-forward jewelry that celebrates personal style and everyday self-expression.
At the end of the day, we’re a design-led brand. My goal is to create exceptional jewelry and help clients choose the right piece for the occasion, their style, and what they’re celebrating. Natural and lab-grown diamonds each have a role to play, and we’re committed to being transparent about the differences so every client can make an informed decision.
We’re using lab-grown diamonds thoughtfully across categories where we believe they make sense for our clients. We launched with Lola and Casual Carats because they showcase some of the unique design opportunities lab-grown diamonds make possible—from floating diamonds with almost no visible metal to colorful silicone rings designed for the gym, the beach, and everyday life. At the same time, our clients have been incredibly clear that they also want beautifully designed classics in lab-grown diamonds. That’s why you’ll continue to see us expand the category with timeless staples like tennis jewelry and studs alongside more innovative collections.
Keeping our lab-grown collections distinct is intentional. Natural diamonds remain the foundation of our brand and our recommendation for engagement rings, milestone jewelry, and heirloom pieces. Lab-grown diamonds give clients another way to enjoy exceptional design—whether they’re looking for an everyday classic, a fashion statement, or something entirely new. Ultimately, we’re a design-led brand. Our job is to create beautiful jewelry and help clients choose the right piece for what they’re celebrating, how they want to wear it, and what matters most to them.
It’s the direction we’re building toward: creating beautiful, thoughtfully designed jewelry for every chapter of life, from life’s biggest celebrations to the everyday moments in between. Whether that’s a natural diamond engagement ring, a lab-grown tennis necklace, or a colorful stack of gemstone bands, our goal is the same—to help people build a jewelry wardrobe they truly love living in.
At the end of the day, we’re building a brand around a simple belief: Life is better when you surround yourself with beautiful things that bring you joy. Jewelry just happens to be our medium. Whether it marks a milestone, gives you confidence walking into a room, starts a conversation, or simply makes an ordinary day feel a little brighter, jewelry has the power to change how you feel. If we can bring a little more beauty and joy into someone’s life, then we’ve done our job.
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Q&A: Stephanie Gottlieb Says Now’s the Time for Lab-Grown Diamonds
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By
Karen Dybis
|
July 13, 2026
Casual Carats encompasses 20 rings with lab-grown diamonds in cuts such as round, pear, emerald, and heart set in 14k yellow gold inside a colorful silicone band. These rings retail from $675 to $1,850.
Lola uses drilled lab-grown diamonds set in 14k yellow or white gold. The eight-piece collection has four necklaces, three earrings, and a ring, with retail prices from $1,065 to $7,750.
Casual Carats rings ($675) feature colorful silicone bands with 14k gold encircling a lab-grown diamond.
Gottlieb going into lab-grown diamonds became news for one good reason—the self-described “lab-grown skeptic”
The SG Fine Lola necklace with 1.1 cts. t.w. pear and round lab-grown diamonds ($1,375) in 14k yellow gold
JCK asked Gottlieb about her decision to go into lab-grown diamonds, how she wants her clients to think about these gemstones, and her brand’s evolution.