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 board of directors of the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) 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 lab-grown gemstones or jewellery made with synthetic gems.

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.

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 AGTA CEO John Ford. “The board’s decision is consistent with the core purpose upon which AGTA was founded.”

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