The AGTA board of directors has changed trade show rules for lab-grown, artificial, and/or synthetic gems.
In a groundbreaking move, AGTA GemFair Tucson announced on April 9, 2024, the prohibition of displaying loose gems or jewelry containing non-natural stones at all AGTA trade shows, starting from the 2025 edition onwards.
Clarissa Maciel, Project Manager of Precious Brazil, an initiative by the Brazilian Gems and Jewellery Trade Association (IBGM) and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), sees this as a positive initiative, as it promotes the value of the natural products.
“It’s a bold move because AGTA has many members who work with synthetics. But they are addressing the issue and valuing natural stones, which includes Brazilian gems,” comments Maciel.
The ban encompasses man-made, synthetic, or lab-grown stones and was enacted after AGTA recognized the Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA) description of synthetic gems as “man-made material with essentially the same chemical composition, crystalline structure, and optical and physical properties as natural gem material.”
Artificial Gems vs. Natural Gems
Despite driving the industry, with sales reaching $12 billion in 2022, according to a New York-based industry analyst’s survey (https://www.paulzimnisky.com/Lab-Diamond-Sales-Grow-as-Prices-Fall), the trade of artificial gems raises questions. This is because lab diamond prices tend to fall, diminishing the piece’s long-term value and causing frustration for consumers who invested in them.
The recent rule changes by the AGTA board underscore their commitment to maintaining clarity and integrity in the gemstone industry. Kimberly Collins, chair of the AGTA board and owner of Kimberly Collins Colored Gems, emphasizes the importance of buyers knowing they are acquiring only naturally mined gems when participating in AGTA GemFairs.
While it is acceptable for AGTA dealers to sell synthetic gems, if they choose to, as long as they are disclosed, the association’s goal is for buyers participating in AGTA GemFairs to purchase with confidence knowing that only natural gems will be available.
About ApexBrasil
The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. The Agency carries out diversified trade promotion initiatives, such as prospective and trade missions, business roundtables, support for Brazilian companies to participate in major international fairs, and visits by foreign buyers and opinion makers to learn about the Brazilian production structure.
About Precious Brazil
The Industry Sector Project Precious Brazil aims to support and promote Brazilian Companies in the minerals, gemstones, jewelry and fashion accessories segments that seek to export their products, whether they are beginners, exporters or already internationalized. Coordinated by the Brazilian Gems & Jewellery Trade Association (IBGM) in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) – the project currently serves approximately 130 companies in the industry.
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