To address the increasing production and visibility of lab-grown diamonds, and questions in the industry surrounding them, the Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA) will focus its upcoming Las Vegas conference on the subject of synthetic diamonds and their impact on the value chain.

The availability of lab-grown diamonds to the public through retail jewelers, internet sites, and in the secondary market, has raised many questions, and many viewpoints are surfacing. There are also rising concerns about inadvertently buying and selling lab-grown diamonds as natural diamonds, especially in small sizes set in multi-stone and pave-set jewelry.

To address questions and issues in this rapidly evolving market, speakers at the AGA conference will include Dr. James Shigley of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), who will provide information on identification techniques for lab-created diamonds; Tom Chatham, President, Chatham Created Gems, who will give a producer's insights into current and projected production estimates; Dusan Simic, President of Analytical Gemology and Jewelry Laboratory (AG&JL), who will present breaking news on affordable options now available for identifying mounted as well loose diamonds, including melee sizes; and Ronnie VanderLinden, President of the Diamond Manufacturer's and Importers Association (DMIA) and Diamex, Inc., who will share his thoughts on why he, a natural diamond dealer, decided to sell lab-grown diamonds as well as natural.

In addition, the Q&A session will be extended to allow attendees to play a more interactive role in creating an in-depth discussion and understanding of the market and where it is headed.

Following the presentations and the Q&A, a hands-on session will provide an opportunity to see and examine a variety of lab-grown diamonds, both HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) and CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition).

The conference will take place on May 29, from 1:00-5:00 pm, at the Platinum Hotel in Las Vegas.