Natural Diamond Advocate Launches Lab Grown Collections

(IDEX Online) - Stephanie Gottlieb, a long-time advocate of natural diamonds, has launched her first collections of lab grown jewelry.

But she maintains there's still a huge divide between natural diamonds (forever) and lab growns (for right now).

Gottlieb, who opened New York City-based Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry in 2013, has made custom pieces for Britney Spears and is an acknowledged designer and influencer.

She has been described as "the designer who once said she'd never sell lab-grown diamonds," although she never definitively said as much.

She has, however, partnered with the Natural Diamond Council (NDC) for some years as an ambassador and content partner. The NDC is in no way involved in her lab grown collections.

In an Instagram post, she explains why she's designed two lab grown capsule collections, one with stones mounted on squishy silicone, the other with drilled stones on a near-invisible thread.

"They're exploring completely different ways to wear diamonds," she says.

"The first one solves a real-life problem, what to wear when your engagement ring deserves a break. Think each day's workout class, cooking, gardening.

"The other creates an entirely new look, floating diamonds that just drape against your skin."

She doesn't directly address the significance of her unexpected switch to lab growns, but she does say: "I have spent years thinking about if and how lab grown diamonds belonged at Stephanie Gottlieb.

"Believe me, it's an unavoidable topic in this industry. So when I decided I wanted to do it, I knew the first collection launch couldn't be classic diamond jewelry."

The Casual Carats line of lab growns set in silicone bands is priced from $675 to $1,850.

The Lola collection of four necklaces, three earrings, and a ring retails from $1,065 to $7,750.

Pic shows Stephanie Gottlieb and rings from her Casual Carats collection.