January 2022 | Lab Grown Magazine

January 2022 | The Lab Grown Diamond Resource Book 12 To advertise call (888) 832-1109 | January 2022 13 DISCLAIMER: Lab Grown Magazine assumes no responsibility for content, articles, or advertisement in publication. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form without prior written permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publisher reserves the right to edit all articles for clarity space and editorial sensitivities. Publisher Zev Oster Manager David Oster Editor Cynthia Unninayar Features Writer Dan Scott Graphics / Production Kim Kennelly LabGrownAds@gmail.com Advertising & Sales LabGrownMagazine@gmail.com Circulation 25,000 Magazines Printed &Mailed Monthly Distributed at Show Bins PO Box 683 Pomona, NY 10970 T: 888-832-1109 F: 212-257-7056 www.LabGrownMagazine.com A division of A Hopeful New Year This issue celebrates the second anniversary of LabGrown Magazine . Given the growing importance of lab-grown gems - both diamonds and colored stones - in today's jewelry universe, we wanted to create a magazine devoted to these man-made gems. Thanks to our writers and advertisers, the inaugural issue was published in January 2020. But around that same time, a strange virus arrived on the scene that would greatly disrupt the global gem and jewelry industry. Covid has affected all of us, to varying degrees, not only personally but also from a business point of view. We have all had to deal with the effects of the lockdowns and other restrictions. Yet, when looking at our trade, we see resilience, ingenuity, and determination. Out of the chaos and disorder, there seems to be a new and greater flexibility of mindset, leading to innovation and new sales models. While the dual diamond duel/debate continues between mined and lab-grown, this month's feature article looks at the question of value of LGDs and offers marketing tips on how to increase their perceived value. And, over the last few years, the acceptance of LGDs seems to be on the rise. The Knot recently re- leased its 2021 Jewelry & Engagement Study, an an- nual report that highlights the top trends in marriage proposals based on a survey of 5000 individuals in the U.S. aged 18-54. In addition to the expected prefer- ence for rings with mined diamonds, the report noted a growing number of survey repondents who said that it was less important for their engagement diamond to be a natural stone compared to a lab-grown gem. In 2021, 34% said it was important that their stone be natural, down from 42% in 2019. Interestingly, The Knot's survey also found that nearly 25% of engagement rings featured a man-made gem, which is up 11% over the last two years. On other LGD news, Signet has reported that it is expanding its selection of lab-grown diamonds. These include an exclusive LGD cut that is being introduced into the "Vera Wang True" line at Zales, along with an LGD option for Kay's "Leo" cut, sold in its "Leo Legacy" line. So, as we celebrate LabGrown Magazine's second anniversary, we would like to thank you, our readers, our writers, and our advertisers, who have made it all possible. Happy New Year to you all... Zev