September 2020 - Lab Grown Magazine

September 2020 | The Lab Grown Diamond Resource Book 8 To advertise call (888) 832-1109 | September 2020 9 Publisher Zev Oster Manager David Oster Advertising & Sales LabGrownMagazine@gmail.com Graphics LabGrownAds@gmail.com Circulation 25,000 Magazines Printed & Mailed Monthly Distributed at Show Bins 30 West 47th Street | Suite 707 New York, NY 10036 T: 888-832-1109 F: 212-257-7056 www.LabGrownMagazine.com 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. Six Months Later How things have changed over the last half year! Six months ago, many companies were look- ing forward to their participation in a variety of trade shows ‒ in Hong Kong and Las Vegas among others ‒ only to have their plans turned upside down by the coronavirus pandemic. After canceling the JCK Las Vegas show in June, its organizers got busy trying to find an online alternative. The result was JCK Virtual 2020 that took place from August 10 to 14. This new type of fair featured about 700 ex- hibitors, including 37 lab-grown diamond com- panies, which took part in the LGD category. For more on this virtual event and how it was viewed by a number of exhibitors, including some lab-grown suppliers, see the article in this issue entitled JCK Goes Virtual. The global Informa jewelry and gem show normally held in Hong Kong in September is scheduled to go virtual in November. It will fea- ture an online platform that is different from that of JCK, so it will be interesting to see how the two compare. Both the JCK online show and the upcom- ing Informa show highlight the importance of the digital world in the jewelry industry. Aside from the shows, having an online presence for marketing and communication as well as net- working and even online sales has now become the new normal. In recent news in the lab-grown sector, GIA has announced that, starting in the fourth quar- ter, it will begin grading lab-grown diamonds using the same specific color and clarity grades that it applies to natural diamonds. This will replace the currently-used descriptive terms and grade ranges for LGDs. The feature article in this issue offers Part One of a three-part series entitled The Great Diamond Debate . It examines the relationship, or lack thereof, between the lab-grown and natural diamond sectors and how the two can work together for their mutual benefit rather than continue the current tug-of-war. It also offers two cautionary tales about other products that faced a similar situation. It's a must read for everyone on both sides of the debate. Until next time, please stay safe. Zev