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Do You Plan to Sell Lab-Grown Diamonds? Here’s What 5 Retailers Had to Say

Published

9 years ago

June 8, 2016

INSTORE Staff

It’s a polarizing topic.

Southern Jewelry News asked five jewelry retailers if they sell or plan to sell lab-grown diamonds in their stores, eliciting a range of answers that collectively spell out the pros and cons of doing so. Depending on who you ask, the question can prompt some impassioned responses – like this one from Everett Osborne, the owner of Osborne’s Jewelers in Huntsville, AL:

“Very few customers have been asking about synthetic diamonds. It’s mostly a price matter, but there’s also the blood diamonds issue. … For those factoring blood diamonds into their buying decision, we offer assurances that the gem and jewelry industry has gone through great efforts and great expense to stop the selling of diamond from designated conflict countries. In those rare instances when people insist on lab-grown colored stones, we’ll order these gems for them. But when it comes to synthetic diamonds, I won’t do it. I don’t want our store to be known for selling those products. I’d rather lose the sale than sell a synthetic diamond.”

Ready to Relocate? Wilkerson Makes Your Move Seamless

When Brockhaus Jewelry decided to leave their longtime West Main Street storefront for a standalone building elsewhere in Norman, Oklahoma, owners John Brockhaus and Brad Shipman faced a familiar challenge: how to efficiently reduce inventory before the big move. Their solution? Partnering with liquidation specialists Wilkerson for a second time. "We'd already experienced Wilkerson's professionalism during a previous sale," Shipman recalls. "But their approach to our relocation event truly impressed us. They strategically prioritized our existing pieces while tactfully introducing complementary merchandise as inventory levels decreased." The carefully orchestrated sale didn't just meet targets—it shattered them. Asked if they'd endorse Wilkerson to industry colleagues planning similar transitions—whether relocating, retiring, or refreshing their space—both partners were emphatic in their approval. "The entire process was remarkably straightforward," Shipman notes. "Wilkerson delivered a well-structured program, paired us with a knowledgeable advisor, and managed every detail flawlessly from concept to completion."