The jewellery industry is undergoing a significant transformation as large global companies increasingly invest in lab-grown diamond (LGD) jewellery. What was once considered a niche alternative to mined diamonds is becoming an important category for established jewellery brands, manufacturers and retailers.
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A recent example is Pandora, which has continued expanding its lab-grown diamond jewellery business across international markets. In 2026, Pandora introduced its lab-grown diamond collections in Spain and Italy, extending the category into flagship stores in Barcelona and Milan. The company has positioned lab-grown diamonds around accessibility, design, and responsible sourcing.
This expansion comes alongside Pandora's broader manufacturing investment in Asia. The company recently opened a $150 million jewellery manufacturing facility in Vietnam, which is expected to increase its global production capacity by approximately 50%. The facility is designed to produce up to 60 million pieces annually when fully operational.
These developments highlight a broader question: Why are large jewellery companies investing in lab-grown diamonds?
What Are Lab-Grown Diamonds? Â
Lab-grown diamonds are diamonds created using advanced technological processes rather than extracted through traditional mining. The stones have the same fundamental physical, chemical and optical properties as mined diamonds.
Modern production commonly uses technologies such as Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) to grow diamond material from a diamond seed. The resulting rough diamond can then be cut and polished using techniques similar to those used for mined diamonds.
For jewellery companies, this means LGDs can be incorporated into rings, earrings, pendants, bracelets and other designs while maintaining the characteristics consumers associate with diamonds.
1. LGDs Make Diamond Jewellery More Accessible Â
One of the biggest reasons companies are developing LGD jewellery collections is accessibility.
Traditional diamond jewellery can carry a substantial price because of factors associated with mining, distribution, rarity and the broader natural-diamond supply chain. Lab-grown diamonds provide jewellery companies with another way to offer diamond products at different price points.
Lab-grown diamonds are eco-friendly, affordable, and ethically sourced alternatives to mined diamonds.
Pandora has explicitly described its lab-grown diamond strategy as part of its ambition to make diamond jewellery more accessible.
For large retailers, this creates an opportunity to introduce diamond jewellery to consumers who may previously have considered diamonds too expensive for everyday purchases.
2. Large Companies Can Build Scalable Jewellery Collections Â
Scale is particularly important for international jewellery brands.
Large companies need materials that can support consistent production across multiple markets, collections and product categories. Lab-grown diamonds offer manufacturers another source of diamond material that can be produced through controlled technological processes.
This becomes particularly relevant when companies are expanding jewellery collections globally.
Pandora reported that its lab-grown diamond collection achieved 43% like-for-like growth in 2024, while also creating a positive halo effect for the wider Pandora brand.
For a global jewellery company, strong category growth can justify further investment in product development, marketing, manufacturing and retail expansion.
3. Technology Is Changing Diamond Manufacturing Â
The growth of LGD jewellery is closely connected to advances in diamond-growing technology.
Instead of depending exclusively on geological deposits and mining operations, manufacturers can produce diamonds through controlled technological processes. This creates a fundamentally different supply model.
Enamel colours in jewelry refer to the vibrant, glass-like finishes applied to metal surfaces, creating designs that range from soft pastels to bold, glossy hues. They add artistic detail, durability, and a splash of colour to fine and fashion jewelry.
For jewellery companies, technology can provide greater visibility into production, specifications and sourcing.
Pandora says its lab-grown diamonds have a known origin and are produced, cut and polished according to defined quality requirements.
This traceability can become increasingly important as consumers ask more questions about where jewellery materials come from and how they are produced.
4. Sustainability Is Becoming Part of the Jewellery Value Proposition Â
Sustainability is another important reason large jewellery companies are investing in LGDs.
Consumers and brands are paying greater attention to the environmental impact of products. Lab-grown diamonds do not require conventional diamond mining, although their environmental impact still depends significantly on how they are produced, particularly the electricity used during diamond growth and processing.
Pandora has stated that its lab-grown diamonds have been grown, cut and polished using renewable electricity since August 2022. The company also uses recycled gold and silver in its jewellery.
Bracelets are versatile jewelry pieces worn around the wrist, available in styles ranging from delicate chains and bangles to bold cuffs and charm designs. They can be crafted in gold, silver, platinum, or even adorned with diamonds, gemstones, and enamel for a touch of elegance or everyday fashion.
In 2026, Pandora introduced carbon-footprint information for its lab-grown diamonds, adding carbon footprint alongside the traditional diamond 4Cs: cut, colour, clarity and carat. Pandora reports a carbon footprint of 12.58 kg COâ‚‚e for a one-carat polished lab-grown diamond and says this is around 90% lower than the mined-diamond comparison it uses.
This illustrates an important change in jewellery marketing: environmental information can increasingly become part of the product specification rather than simply a corporate sustainability statement.
5. LGDs Allow Brands to Experiment With Larger and More Accessible Designs Â
Another attraction of lab-grown diamonds is the ability to develop jewellery designs around different sizes and specifications.
For brands, diamond jewellery does not have to be limited to traditional high-value occasion purchases. LGDs can be incorporated into everyday jewellery, fashion-led designs and accessible fine jewellery collections.
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This expands the addressable market for diamond products.
Instead of positioning every diamond piece exclusively as a high-value purchase, brands can develop multiple collections aimed at different consumer budgets, lifestyles and occasions.
6. Major Jewellery Brands Are Building Consumer Confidence Â
Large companies entering the LGD category can also help increase consumer awareness.
When established international brands introduce lab-grown diamond collections through flagship stores and established retail networks, consumers become more familiar with the concept.
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Pandora has been selling lab-grown diamonds since 2021 and has expanded the category into additional markets, including Spain and Italy in 2026.
This creates an ecosystem in which manufacturers, diamond growers, jewellery designers, retailers and technology providers can all participate.
7. LGD Jewellery Fits the Rise of Technology-Driven Luxury Â
The luxury and jewellery industries are increasingly influenced by technology.
From computer-aided jewellery design to automated manufacturing, digital product authentication and advanced diamond-growing technology, technology is becoming part of the jewellery supply chain.
Explore our lab-grown diamonds for modern jewellery designs with a technology-driven approach to diamonds.
Lab-grown diamonds represent one of the clearest examples of this transition.
The appeal for large companies is not simply the diamond itself. It is the opportunity to build a technology-enabled jewellery supply chain around production, traceability, quality control, sustainability data and scalable manufacturing.
8. Large Investments Are Extending Beyond Diamond Production Â
The investment trend is not limited to diamond-growing companies.
Jewellery manufacturers are also investing in factories, production capabilities and supply-chain infrastructure.
Pandora's Vietnam facility is a significant example. The company invested $150 million in the facility, which is expected to create approximately 7,000 jobs and eventually represent a substantial portion of Pandora's global production capacity.
Although the Vietnam investment is broader than LGD jewellery alone, it demonstrates how major jewellery companies are building manufacturing capacity to support long-term global growth.
9. LGD Jewellery Creates New Opportunities for Manufacturers Â
The growing adoption of lab-grown diamonds is also creating opportunities for jewellery manufacturers.
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Manufacturers can develop specialised capabilities around:
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LGD diamond jewellery manufacturing
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CAD-based jewellery design
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Precision stone setting
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Gold and silver jewellery production
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Automated casting
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Diamond grading and quality control
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Sustainable manufacturing
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Custom jewellery production
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International B2B jewellery supply
This makes LGD jewellery relevant not only to consumer-facing brands but also to companies operating throughout the jewellery manufacturing ecosystem.
10. Why This Matters for the Future of Jewellery Â
The rise of lab-grown diamonds does not necessarily mean that mined diamonds will disappear. Natural and lab-grown diamonds represent different products and supply models, and consumer preferences can vary by market, occasion and price segment.
Modern jewellery brands are increasingly exploring LGDs—discover our selection of lab-grown diamonds.
However, the growing investment from established companies demonstrates that lab-grown diamonds have become commercially significant within the jewellery industry.
Pandora's continued expansion provides a useful example. Its strategy combines lab-grown diamonds with accessible jewellery, recycled precious metals, renewable electricity and greater product-level carbon transparency.
For large companies, the attraction is therefore broader than simply offering a cheaper diamond. LGDs can support a combination of product accessibility, scalable manufacturing, technological innovation, traceability and sustainability positioning.
Frequently Asked Questions About LGD Jewellery Â
Why are large jewellery companies investing in lab-grown diamonds? Â
Large jewellery companies are investing in lab-grown diamonds because LGDs can support accessible diamond jewellery, scalable production, technology-driven manufacturing, traceability and sustainability-focused product strategies.
Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds? Â
Yes. Lab-grown diamonds have the same fundamental chemical composition and physical properties as mined diamonds. The primary difference is their origin: they are created using controlled technological processes rather than extracted from geological deposits.
Why are lab-grown diamonds becoming popular in jewellery? Â
LGDs allow brands to offer diamond jewellery at more accessible price points while giving manufacturers another scalable source of diamond material. Growing consumer awareness and investment by established jewellery brands are also increasing market visibility.
Are lab-grown diamonds sustainable? Â
Their environmental impact depends on how they are produced, particularly the energy used during diamond growth. Companies using renewable electricity can reduce the associated carbon footprint. Pandora, for example, says its LGDs are produced using renewable electricity and has introduced carbon-footprint information for its diamonds.
Are major jewellery brands using lab-grown diamonds? Â
Yes. Pandora has built lab-grown diamonds into its jewellery strategy and has continued expanding the category internationally. Its lab-grown diamond collections have been available since 2021.
What does the growth of LGD jewellery mean for manufacturers? Â
Growing LGD adoption creates opportunities for jewellery manufacturers in design, casting, stone setting, finishing, quality control, sustainable production and international B2B supply.
Conclusion Â
The increasing investment in lab-grown diamond jewellery reflects a larger transformation in the global jewellery industry. Companies are looking beyond traditional diamond sourcing and exploring how technology can make diamond jewellery more accessible, scalable and transparent.
Pandora's international LGD expansion, combined with its investment in large-scale manufacturing and sustainability initiatives, illustrates how established jewellery companies are adapting their businesses to changing consumer expectations and new production technologies.
For jewellery manufacturers and investors, the key takeaway is clear:Â lab-grown diamonds are becoming an important part of the modern jewellery supply chain, creating opportunities across diamond production, jewellery manufacturing, retail and technology.
As major companies continue investing in LGD jewellery, the category is likely to remain an important area to watch across the global jewellery market.
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