The Real Problem With Lab Grown Diamonds Nobody Says Out Loud | De Beers' CEO | Masoom Minawala

Lab-grown or natural. The real difference is the same as between sparkling wine and champagne. My apartment and Batisi are the same as Windsor Castle. So for me, the origin matters: is it a part of the cosmos that is billions of years old, or something mass- produced in a factory. And if the cut

is right, I swear, in the middle of a cloudy day you look at your hand and think: " Ah, the whole technology is in the cut." Is there a mistake that you think women often make when buying a diamond? I think there is a social signal associated with size. They choose size instead of

paying attention to other characteristics. I also think they don't always ask for a certificate. Wives who said: " You know what I need him for ?" I can buy diamonds myself if I want. Please invest in mutual funds, but I can't wear one around my neck. I'm not saving it for a special

occasion because I deserve to be celebrated today. Her diamond wasn't the biggest or most expensive, which actually says a lot about modern sociocultural norms and that we're no longer fixated on the question: "What's the biggest?" I wanted to give myself a diamond when I started working. The day I returned to work was a landmark day for me

. If I'm going to get engaged, I still don't want an iPhone ; I want something that symbolizes eternity. To some extent, eternity means love. Can you visually, can you really tell the difference between natural and lab-grown diamonds? A diamond is forever. Four words that have become more than just an advertising slogan.

They became a whole movement. They made the diamond not so much a purchase as a promise. Declarations, anniversaries, significant events— moments when we want to stop time. We chose a diamond. But in 2026, this promise is being questioned. If lab-grown diamonds look identical , if resale value is not guaranteed, if women define love