Swarovski introduces fancy colour lab-grown diamonds

6.2 k views | Posted January 28, 2020 | By Arabella Roden • Former editor

Swarovski has expanded its lab-created diamond range, introducing a collection of fancy colours at Couture Fashion Week in Paris.

The Austrian company – best known for its glass crystal jewellery and homewares – first entered the lab-grown diamond category in 2016.

In a statement, the company’s management explained that the new collection features round brilliant-cut ‘Created Diamonds’ in 16 hues, divided into four sections ‘inspired by’ the fields of fashion, art, music and architecture.

Notably, the range includes several vivid pink and red lab-created diamonds. Natural pinks and reds are the most expensive fancy colour diamonds, due to their scarcity.

"The colours, cuts and sizes are created to inspire jewellery that has never been made or even dreamed of"

Markus Langes-Swarovski, Swarovski

“The colours in the collection pay homage to Swarovski’s history of mutually creative collaborations, and to the vision and innovation on which the brand’s heritage and enduring ingenuity is built,” a spokesperson said.

The colour range is significantly larger than that of lab-grown diamond brand Lightbox Jewelry. The brand – which is owned by De Beers – manufactures only pink, blue and colourless (white) stones.

Markus Langes-Swarovski, board member Swarovski, said, “I’d like to think that these stones have endless potential and are able to bring any idea to life. The colours, cuts and sizes are created to inspire jewellery that has never been made or even dreamed of. It’s a toolbox of unlimited creativity.”

He added that the number of colours available could increase to 120 “by the end of the year”.

Each of the fancy colour Swarovski lab-created diamonds is available in sizes 0.25–1.50 carat, with selected colours up to 2.50 carat. Colour is induced through standard treatments like irradiation and annealing, and stones above 0.70-carats are accompanied by a grading report from the International Gemological Institute.

Swarovski lab-grown diamonds are manufactured at independent facilities in Switzerland, India, America and China.

At the time of publication, pricing information was not available. Lightbox Jewelry prices its fancy colour lab-grown diamonds at a uniform $US800 per carat.

In addition to its crystals and lab-grown diamonds, Swarovski – which is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2020 – also produces natural and synthetic coloured gemstones and announced plans to enter the natural diamond market in June 2019.