Gübelin and glambou have just launched CARAT CASUAL, a new fine jewellery collection with lab-grown diamonds, embodying a contemporary vision of wearing precious stones.
I lived in Australia for a time, and through my work there, I gained some experience with diamonds. I became so interested in the subject that I later studied diamond grading in Antwerp, at HRD. In 2012, I also attended an intriguing lecture there on synthetic diamonds, which were still considered relatively new at the time.
Lab-grown diamonds
Over the past decades, the diamond industry has been undergoing a significant transformation, and lab-grown diamonds have become one of its most debated topics. Unlike diamond imitations, lab-grown diamonds bear the same physical and chemical properties as real diamonds. However, they are manufactured in controlled laboratory environments, principally through CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition) or HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) technology.
Over the years, the industry’s opinion and assessment of synthetic diamonds have shifted in various directions, with ongoing discussions of their long-term value, consumer perception, sustainability, pricing and role in the future of fine jewellery. Gemological laboratories, such as the GIA, switched to a simplified Premium/Standard classification in 2025, and HRD Antwerp discontinued loose lab-grown diamond certification as of 2026, but IGI continues to offer a comprehensive analysis for lab-created diamonds, using the same 4Cs (Cut, Color, Clarity, Carat) as for natural diamonds.
In 2025, the global production of gem-quality lab-grown diamonds reached a record 69.4 million carats — only about 30% below the 98.8 million carats of natural rough mined — while retail sales of lab-grown-set jewellery totalled $23.8 billion, according to a new report from diamond industry analyst Edahn Golan. On this significant market, some brands have embraced lab-grown diamonds as a core part of their business. Others continue to focus exclusively on natural diamonds, while an increasing number of jewellery retailers offer both categories, clearly distinguishing their respective benefits.
CARAT CASUAL collection
The House of Gübelin seems to follow this route. The emblematic Swiss company teamed up with the glambou jewellery brand to create a new fine jewellery collection with lab-grown diamonds. Gübelin, founded in Lucerne in 1854, contributes its longstanding expertise in gemstones, craftsmanship and uncompromising quality standards. glambou, established in 2018, adds a fashion-forward perspective inspired by contemporary culture, emerging designers and creative self-expression. Together, they combine Swiss jewellery tradition with a modern understanding of luxury.
On 4 November, Raphael Gübelin, president and CEO of Gübelin, Christina Skoeries, CEO of glambou, and Julie De Cuyper, Creative Director of glambou, presented the novelties to the media and VIP clients at the flagship store of Globus on Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse.
Crafted in solid 14-karat yellow gold (585), the collection features genuine lab-grown diamonds with a colour grade of G+ and clarity of VS+, created using Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) technology. During this process, “diamond seed” crystals are placed in a diamond growth chamber. The diamonds grow from a hydrocarbon gas mixture subjected to moderate pressures and temperatures in the vacuum chamber. Crystallisation occurs over a period of weeks, and several crystals grow at the same time.
As Julie De Cuyper shared, the pieces are inspired by the effortless versatility of a favourite pair of jeans, and the designs invite women to style diamonds with the same spontaneity as their everyday wardrobe. Whether layered with colourful cord bracelets, paired with a casual outfit or worn as timeless standalone pieces, each creation brings a relaxed attitude to fine jewellery.
The collection comprises three distinctive design lines. LUMI – THE SIGNATURE combines playful designs, bezel-set diamonds and colourful cord bracelets for effortless styling. ESSENCE – THE ICONS offers timeless diamond classics, including solitaire rings, stud earrings and Huggie hoops, designed to accompany life’s most memorable moments.
TOI & MOI – THE EMOTION: “Toi & moi” means “You and Me” in French, and in general it refers to a piece that showcases two stones or two motifs facing each other. It celebrates love, friendship and meaningful connections through delicate designs featuring two diamonds.
The CARAT CASUAL collection creates a different, more contemporary relationship with diamonds and shows that fine jewellery can be personal, spontaneous and part of everyday life at the same time. It is available exclusively in Switzerland through glambou, at selected retail locations such as Globus, and online at glambou.ch. Each piece comes with a certificate of authenticity.
Photo credits: Gübelin x glambou. Loupiosity.com
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