Lab-grown diamonds are becoming increasingly popular among Japanese consumers for their diverse designs and competitive prices compared to natural diamonds, with Chinese-made gems being particularly favored in the Japanese market for their high quality.
The International Jewelry Tokyo 2025, held from Wednesday to Saturday, saw the participation of 11 lab-grown diamond companies from Japan and abroad, including four from China. The exhibition booths of Chinese companies attracted numerous jewelry merchants from around the world for inquiries and orders.
Some Japanese jewelry merchants have said that Chinese lab-grown diamonds are becoming increasingly favored by Japanese consumers due to their higher color grades and clarity.
"China excels in producing diamonds using high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) technology, with a high production volume and a significant price advantage. It also possesses advanced chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technology. There are numerous companies in the country capable of manufacturing high-quality lab-grown diamonds," said Takuya Ito, the head of a Japanese lab-grown diamond import company.
With quality approaching that of natural diamonds and the price advantage they offer, lab-grown diamonds have swiftly emerged as one of the primary raw materials for jewelry products, with a notable preference for those exceeding one carat and featuring unique shapes and vibrant colors.
In 2021, a department store in the Ginza district of downtown Tokyo launched a jewelry brand featuring lab-grown diamonds. According to sales personnel, customers have become more open to the concept, especially as they discover how lab-grown diamond jewelry showcases bolder cutting techniques and a more diverse range of designs compared to the relatively conservative styles of natural diamond jewelry.
"Three years ago, when the brand was first established, we often had to explain what lab-grown diamonds are to our customers. But recently, it seems that more and more people are familiar with lab-grown diamonds. I believe that natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds are not in competition but represent different choices. In the future, the number of consumers willing to consider lab-grown diamonds when purchasing engagement rings may increase," said Ruriko Watanabe, the head of a Japanese lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
"Lab-grown diamonds are cheaper than natural diamonds, and there is hardly any visible difference in appearance. Additionally, the designs and styles of lab-grown diamonds are quite diverse. I am willing to consider purchasing lab-grown diamond jewelry," said a consumer.
"Since lab-grown diamonds are more affordable, I would like to try large and extravagant lab-grown diamond jewelry," another customer said.
Some industry insiders in the Japanese jewelry sector noted that lab-grown diamonds had a late start in the Japanese jewelry industry, with the current market share standing at only around two percent.
As awareness and acceptance of lab-grown diamonds continue to grow among Japanese consumers, there is significant potential for the future development of lab-grown diamonds.
Lab-grown diamonds shine brighter in Japan's consumer market
