JGA Virtual kicked off on June 17 with the “Lab-Grown Diamonds: Rising Stars of the Jewellery Industry” webinar. Organised in partnership with Smiling Rocks, it featured industry specialists who talked about business opportunities, and marketing and branding strategies in the lab-grown diamond business.

JGA Virtual is the synergy-enhancing digital component of JGA. It opened on June 17 and will run until July 7, 2021.

The webinar included as speakers Marty Hurwitz, CEO and founder of THE MVEye; Zulu Ghevriya, CEO and co-founder of lab-grown diamond jewellery brand, Smiling Rocks; and Diana Verde Nieto, co-founder and CEO of Positive Luxury.

According to Hurwitz and Gheriya, demand for lab-grown diamonds is expected to strengthen further on the back of sustained consumer education as well as buyers’ increasing interest in sustainable practices and product innovations. 

Hurwitz said while the lab-grown diamond industry is in its infancy, demand has grown exponentially particularly in the US and Europe, thanks to consumers’ growing penchant for innovative and sustainable products.

Ghevriya meanwhile underscored the importance of socially responsible practices, which is the crux of Smiling Rocks’ operations. Lab-grown diamond jewellers could tap into massive opportunities moving forward as buyers gain more knowledge of the product. He also highlighted the potential of Asia as an emerging market for lab-grown diamond jewellery.  

Nieto, for her part, talked about “mindful luxury,” which governs the buying decisions of today’s sustainable-minded consumers.More than 500 trade professionals pre-registered to attend. Click here to view the recording.