Over the past two years, the lab-grown diamond jewelry landscape has expanded at a rapid clip with new brands entering the space, seemingly on a monthly basis. Many (but not all) are direct-to-consumer and based entirely online. Below are three of our favorites.
Loyal.e Paris
When Maïssa Zard founded Loyal.e Paris in January 2021, she conceived the Parisian jewelry brand as an ode to her stylish grandmother. But make no mistake: The direct-to-consumer brand’s ethos, which emphasizes genderless designs and sustainable sourcing, is ultracontemporary.
The label is grounded in three collections: The signature Perpétuel.le collection is rife with fashion pieces that can be layered and mixed and matched. The Intrépide collection features solitaire ring styles (like the one pictured above) that women are encouraged to buy for themselves. (“What our customers love about this collection is the stacking,” says Elizabeth Chang, a representative of the brand. “There are infinite possibilities of combinations with this ring, and so whether you have a minimalist, classic, or extravagant style, you will always find your match”). And the Toi+Moi collection is composed of modernized two-stone rings in the popular “you and me” style that’s taken the bridal category by storm this year.
Loyal.e Paris, which is stocked at the Parisian jewelry concept store Mad Lords, was recently singled out by the multi-brand online platform Farfetch as one of 11 brands to watch in 2022. And the brand is looking to expand to the United States, where its custom-made engagement rings are said to be striking a chord with consumers.
Or & Elle
Nicole Mihelson is a Rhodes scholar and a doctor of philosophy candidate in molecular and cellular medicine at the University of Oxford. She’s also the founder of Or & Elle, a luxury direct-to-consumer lab-grown diamond jewelry brand based in her family’s fourth-generation atelier in Antwerp, Belgium.
“While my background is actually in cancer immunology, this has been one of the most dynamic and fast-paced ventures I’ve been fortunate to be a part of,” she tells JCK.
The story behind Or & Elle is one of “century-old exquisite craftsmanship meeting an ethos of sustainability and transparency not yet seen in high jewelry,” says Mihelson.
That “high jewelry” remark is no exaggeration. The large, colorless diamonds that adorn the brand’s eternity bands, drop earrings, and rivière necklaces are the stuff of red carpet dreams.
For more everyday purchases, the site features a “Custom” tab that invites buyers to create bespoke pieces through a design consultation with the atelier, an especially popular feature with bridal clients. Meanwhile, the off-the-shelf designs, such as the Dalliance Lucia earrings featured below, boast a chic, pared-down sensibility.
Charles & Colvard
Best known as the creators of the diamond simulant moissanite, Charles & Colvard ventured into the lab-grown space in September 2020 with the introduction of its Caydia lab-grown diamond brand.
“There is a growing awareness of and demand for lab-created gems, and now we offer two premium brands, Forever One moissanite and Caydia lab- grown diamonds,” Don O’Connell, president and CEO of Charles & Colvard, said in a statement. “We believe this addition will allow us to tap into the estimated $5.2 billion lab-created diamond opportunity, thus capturing greater market share.”
Caydia lab-grown diamonds are available in bridal pieces, but we’re partial to the brand’s classic-but-trending fine jewelry styles, including signet rings, chain-link earrings, and astrological medallions in 14k gold.
Top: Intrépide ring in 18k yellow gold with 0.25 ct. lab-grown diamond, $1,380; Loyal.e Paris
Follow JCK on Instagram: @jckmagazineFollow JCK on Twitter: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Facebook: @jckmagazine
