California jeweler Marrow Fine, a brand that’s captured the hearts of your editors here at JCK, is known and adored for its decadent gemstone jewels and vintage diamonds. Founder Jillian Sassone is a gem hound, collecting ones that catch her eye during her travels and ultimately setting many into her designs.
So it might come as a surprise that Marrow Fine recently unveiled an entire collection, named Soleil, using lab-grown diamonds. But in some ways, the new line makes a lot of sense. “Our clients have been asking for a lab-created diamond option for a while now, and it felt like the right time to meet that request in a way that still felt true to the Marrow aesthetic,” Sassone tells JCK. “It’s been exciting to see people embrace the collection—especially those who’ve been wanting bolder pieces without the bigger price tag.”
A bigger look for a more affordable price (or perhaps the same size for a lower price) might just be what many consumers are in the mood for these days, what with news of skyrocketing gold prices and tariffs that’s enough to scare anyone off from making major purchases.
“It’s definitely something we’re thinking about,” Sassone says when asked about the price of gold. “Even with lab-created stones offering savings, the cost of gold continues to rise, which can impact accessibility. That said, we’re always working to strike a balance—designing pieces that feel luxe and bespoke, while also introducing options at a wider range of price points. The lab-grown collection actually gave us the opportunity to play more with scale and bolder looks without tipping into cost-prohibitive territory.
“We also think a lot about long-term value. Even with more approachable price points, these are still pieces our clients are investing in—jewelry that feels meaningful and lasting. We’ve already had customers tell us they’re excited to pass these down someday. Just like our natural stone designs, these lab-grown pieces are future heirlooms in the making.”
The Soleil collection currently comprises 11 pieces, including the Florence ring (pictured at top), which was designed in collaboration with social media personality Sammi Jefcoate as her own engagement ring. And not that we’re trying to pick favorites, but the eye-popping Lisse tennis necklace can’t possibly be missed, with its 30-plus carats and glossy design.
“Natural and antique stones will always have my heart, and they’ll always be a huge part of what we do at Marrow, but it’s been refreshing to explore something new,” Sassone says. “Working with lab-created diamonds for the first time gave me a different kind of creative freedom. Pieces like the Lisse tennis necklace likely wouldn’t have been possible with natural stones from a cost perspective, so it opened the door for more statement-making designs. I see lab diamonds not as a replacement, but as an exciting and sustainable addition to what we already love doing.”
Marrow Fine plans to introduce future lab-grown capsule collections in the future.
Top: Marrow Fine x Sammi Florence engagement ring in 14k white gold with lab-grown diamond, $16,000 (for 5 ct. stone)
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