American Gem Trade Association bans exhibition of lab-grown gemstones at its shows

Beginning with the AGTA GemFair Tucson 2025, no exhibitor at an AGTA show may display loose lab-grown stones or jewellery comprising them

Dallas: The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) board of directors has voted to ban the exhibition of lab-grown gemstones at its trade shows.

Beginning with the AGTA GemFair Tucson 2025, no exhibitor at an AGTA show may display loose non-natural gemstones or jewellery made with non-natural gemstones.

In a statement, the Dallas-based trade association said it’s “perfectly acceptable” for AGTA members to sell synthetic gems elsewhere, “[as] long as they are disclosed”. But going forward, they can’t do it at AGTA shows, “for the sake of clarity and peace of mind”.

“AGTA felt that it needed to be crystal clear to buyers that when they attend an AGTA show, they know that they are only shopping mined natural gems from the earth,” said Kimberly Collins, AGTA board president and owner of Kimberly Collins Colored Gems, in the statement.

The organization acknowledged the move is a reaction to how “disruptive” lab-growns have been to the diamond market. But it also said synthetic gemstones simply don’t fit at its shows, as they’re not minerals. (AGTA pointed out in its statement that the US Geological Survey defines a mineral as “a naturally occurring inorganic element or compound having an orderly internal structure and characteristic chemical composition, crystal form, and physical properties.”)

“Synthetic gemstones lack the value inherent to natural gemstones,” AGTA added. “There is a great dichotomy of colour that occurs in natural, mined coloured gemstones that cannot be duplicated in synthetics.”

“AGTA was founded in 1981 to represent the interests of wholesale dealers of natural gemstones, cultured and natural pearls,” commented John Ford, CEO, AGTA . “The board’s decision is consistent with the core purpose upon which AGTA was founded.”

Courtesy: JCK