First reactions from industry leaders on American Gem Trade Association’s (AGTA)

First reactions from industry leaders on American Gem Trade Association’s (AGTA) move to BAN lab grown diamonds and gemstones.

Starting from GemFair Tucson 2025, the AGTA is making a bold move – all lab-created or ‘synthetic’ diamonds and gemstones will be no-shows at their trade shows.

Why the change?

They say, it’s all about maintaining trust and clarity in the market. Amidst the disruption caused by lab grown diamonds, the AGTA has drawn a line in the sand, ensuring no potential confusion for buyers and exhibitors.

Kimberly Collins, AGTA President, emphasizes that this move is all about being ‘crystal clear’ to buyers. “AGTA dealers pride themselves in sourcing superior gems that are rare, beautiful, and natural,” she said.

So, when you step into the AGTA fair, you know you’re walking into a world where only nature’s finest treasures are on display.

Honestly, at Lab Grown Diamonds Magazine, we are not surprised by this move. It was bound to happen sooner or later.

In fact, this could just be that moment when the labgrown industry could come together and carve a new path forward. Plan the road ahead for its next level of growth devoid of its complete dependence on Natural diamonds or industry.

Well, we will cover this story in detail over the coming week.

But here are the initial reactions from industry leaders like Anup Zaveri and Roger Kylberg.

Anup said, “Banning lab-grown diamonds from AGTA exhibitions could stifle innovation and limit consumer choice. Both mined and lab-grown diamonds have their own ethical and environmental considerations, and by allowing both to be showcased, consumers can make informed decisions based on their values. Leveling the playing field for ethical products promotes transparency and encourages responsible practices across the industry.”

Here’s what Roger said, “AGTA, as a leading authority in natural colored gemstones, has been vocal about distinguishing between natural and lab-grown diamonds. They advocate keeping customer’s well-informed about the origin of the diamonds they purchase. This commitment to integrity and honesty in business practices reinforces AGTA’s credibility and reliability as an authoritative source in the market.

Given the higher quality and advanced technology used in producing lab-grown diamonds, there might be a need for separate fairs or forums dedicated to them in the future. This reflects a growing trend towards fairness and transparency within the natural diamond industry on a global scale. As the market matures, it’s becoming increasingly important to draw a clear distinction between mined and lab-grown diamonds, further enhancing consumer trust and understanding.”