Lab-grown diamonds shine brighter in Japan's consumer market

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

A major port in northern Venezuela came under U.S. airstrikes in the early hours of January 3, which caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure, destroyed critical medical supplies in a warehouse, and severely impacted centuries-old cultural heritage sites, according to local residents.

The La Guaira Port, a vital hub for imports that support daily life in the region, was heavily damaged during the attack.

Large quantities of medical supplies stored at the port were destroyed. A historic cultural building dating back for some 300 years was also badly damaged by the bombardment.

Residents living near the port recalled the terrifying scenes as explosions shook nearby neighborhoods.

Humberto Bolivar, who lives in a community separated from the port by only a main road, said the blast waves shattered his home's windows, while stray shrapnel struck the water tank on his roof. According to reports, three missiles were fired at the port that night.

Bolivar said that beyond material losses, he is most concerned about the psychological impact on his children, who remain too frightened to leave their home days after the attack.

"The United States invaded our country. The children were frightened. This is not good for them, because it leaves some children with psychological trauma. They do not want to go to school or leave the house, because they are afraid that something worse might happen. We truly do not want this to happen to our country," he said.

Apart from civilian facilities, local cultural heritage site was also affected.

The La Guaira state government building, a structure with nearly 300 years of history and once served as the site of Venezuela's first national customs office, was struck by the force of the explosions.

Windows of the building were shattered, and furniture scattered across the floor.

"As people of La Guaira, we feel deep pain. Our cultural heritage has been bombed. We are living in constant anxiety and suffering, and life can no longer be the same as it was before," said a local named Henry Cumares.

The U.S. side has claimed the airstrikes targeted warehouses allegedly used to store narcotics. However, locals refuted such accusation.

"According to what Donald Trump said, they bombed this place using the excuse that the warehouses here were used to store drugs at the port. But based on the video released by our governor, these warehouses that were burned contained medicine for kidney patients and foods. Many people depend on these supplies to survive. I think the bombing is extremely despicable," said a local resident named Alejandro Capriles.

US strike hits Venezuelan port, wrecking medical supplies, heritage building