(PRESS RELEASE) ANTWERP, BELGIUM – The Presidents Meeting of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) in Dubai next month will take an in-depth look at the issue of synthetic diamonds with a panel discussion dedicated to the issue featuring industry experts.
“What distinguishes natural diamonds from lab-created diamonds, apart from the whole love element, is that natural diamonds are a non-renewable source,” Blom says. “The supply of natural diamonds is limited by nature. Importantly, more expensive natural diamonds have historically maintained resale value after purchase which is tied to the inherent rarity of higher-quality natural diamonds. Synthetic diamonds will not hold value. Natural diamonds do.”
He calls for the diamond trade to unite around a campaign to stress as much as possible the rarity of natural diamonds and the best way to express the rarity argument is related to the issue of the resale price. “As production of lab-grown diamonds is abundant, the price can never be sustained. This means that buying a lab-grown diamond will never give you back the same amount when you later try to resell it or when your children try to do the same,” Blom writes.
In the coming months, diamond bourses around the world will bring about initiatives to share this message on a broad scale, he added.
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."
