b'FINAL THOUGHTSLAB-GROWN DIAMONDS: YES OR NO? Its the category currently stirring up the most conversation in the industry, so we had to put the question to past Retailer Hall of Fame inductees: Do you carry lab-grown diamonds in your store? Why or why not? Heres what the ones who were willing to answer had to say. Compiled by Michelle GraffCATHY CALHOUN, CALHOUN JEWELERS I do not sell lab-grown diamonds in my store! No. 1, I do not like the idea in the first place. No. 2, there is so much confusion on the consumer level about the difference. No. 3, I want my customers to know when they are purchasing a diamond from Calhoun Jewelers or Calhoun Estate Jewelers it is a natural diamond. Lastly, I believe the drop in prices will only hurt [the industry] in the long run.PAM MORTENSEN, JCPENNEYWe sell lab-grown diamonds. We believeJEAN-CHRISTOPHE BDOS, lab-grown diamonds areBIRKSimportant to the future of the diamond business. TheyAs retailers of high-offer our customers a qualityend jewelry, we are aware product at a great value. We willof the increasing interest continue to embrace lab-grownin lab-grown diamonds. diamonds as an important segment of our diamondWe have introduced a business along with mined diamonds. pilot project with lab-grown diamond jewelry brand Altr in order to gauge client feedback. So far, the vast majority of our clients JEFF COREY, DAYS JEWELERS are still favoring mined diamonds. We do have a small selection of lab- Although lab-grown diamonds are grown diamonds in our stores; however,priced aggressively, price is not yet a Days does not showcase or promotedifferentiator vs. quality and rarity them. Many people purchase diamondsof mined diamonds in the high-end to represent a special relationship orsegment of the market.outstanding accomplishment in life because it is the oldest substance known to man and has stood the test of time.I believe promoting lab-grown diamonds serves to undermine a diamonds iconic representation of longevity and therefore could jeopardize the diamond business long-term. 48 RETAILER HALL OF FAME 2022'