Q&A: Stephanie Gottlieb Says Now’s the Time for Lab-Grown Diamonds

By Karen Dybis | July 13, 2026

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.

“Natural diamonds are forever. Lab-grown diamonds are for right now,” she tells JCK of her two new lab-grown lines, Lola (under her own SG Fine label) and the Houston-based brand Casual Carats.

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.

Stephanie Gottlieb lab grown — *Casual Carats rings ($675) feature colorful silicone bands with 14k gold encircling a lab-grown diamond.*

“Going into lab-grown diamonds wasn’t about replacing [natural diamonds]; it was about recognizing an opportunity to serve our clients in a new way,” Gottlieb says.

Gottlieb going into lab-grown diamonds became news for one good reason—the self-described “lab-grown skeptic” 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.

“Clarity creates confidence. The more consumers understand the differences, the more they can appreciate the unique qualities and enduring value of natural diamonds,” the council said on her post.

“For years, we’ve been known for celebrating life’s biggest milestones—engagements, anniversaries, and heirloom pieces. That will always be an important part of who we are. But we’re also thinking more about the role jewelry plays in everyday life,” Gottlieb says. “Not every piece has to mark a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. Sometimes jewelry is about confidence. Sometimes it’s about self-expression. Sometimes it’s simply about bringing a little more joy to an ordinary Tuesday.”

Stephanie Gottlieb Lola necklace — *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.

You think of Stephanie Gottlieb, and you think of natural diamonds (and design). Why go lab now?

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.

You are still doing natural diamond jewelry as well—why offer both, and why is natural still important to you and the brand?

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.

How are you using lab-grown diamonds? Why a separate collection of just labs?

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.

How do you want your clients to view lab versus natural? Is there a debate for you or for them now?

I don’t think clients need to choose one or the other—I think they should feel comfortable choosing both. To me, it’s not a debate. Natural and lab-grown diamonds serve different purposes, and many clients will own both throughout their lives. If anything, I hope we’re giving clients permission to think beyond an either-or mindset. You can treasure a natural diamond engagement ring and love a pair of lab-grown earrings. You can celebrate life’s biggest moments with natural diamonds and express your personal style with lab-grown diamonds. Those ideas can absolutely coexist, and I think that’s where the industry is headed.

How do these collections reflect a broader evolution of your brand?

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.

(Photos courtesy of Stephanie Gottlieb)