Monique Lhuillier Debuts Lab-Created Diamond Line: 'New Wave of Luxury Jewelry' (Exclusive)
The fashion designer says her Bliss line of lab-created sparklers offers bigger stones, unique shapes and endless color options
Courtesy of KAY
Monique LhuillierAs a designer in the wedding industry for over 27 years, Monique Lhuillier has seen plenty of trends come and go, but the fashion icon says lab-grown diamonds are here to stay.
"Since COVID, there was a pent up demand where people wanted to get married," she tells PEOPLE in an exclusive interview. "Last year was the biggest wedding year for us as a company in all the years that we've been in business."
Lhuillier continues: "What I'm noticing from my brides is that everybody wants a really unique experience while they're going through this journey," she says. "Whether that's in the proposal or it's how they select the ring or how they plan their wedding, everybody wants it to be personal and one of a kind."
Courtesy of KAY
Monique Lhuillier's Bliss Lab-Created Diamond LineLhuillier, who recently launched Lab-Created Diamonds as an extension of the exclusive Bliss collection with KAY Jewelers, says lab-grown diamonds allow people to get the ring of their dreams.
"When I first saw samples of lab-created diamonds, I was amazed by the brilliance and purity," she says. "With this new category debut, I have showcased my signature designs with larger carat weights while remaining accessible to the KAY consumer. The new wave of luxury jewelry is here – a modern approach to a timeless sentiment of love."
Related: All the Celebrity Weddings of 2023
According to Lhuillier, lab grown diamonds, compared to regular diamonds, give designers more ability to be creative – at a more accessible price! Below, Lhuillier breaks down why lab-created sparklers are the biggest trend in bridal.
Courtesy of KAY
Monique Lhuillier's Bliss Lab-Created Diamond LineBring on the big stones!
On reason Lhuillier says lab-creative diamonds are becoming increasingly popular among consumers is because they are easier to grow, allowing for larger center stones.
"There's a bigger impact on the size of the center stone because I'm able to do that with these lab creative diamonds. You can have a bigger impact ring with a bigger stone in the center," she says.
Unique shapes
"While I'm seeing larger center stones, I'm also seeing fancy cut stones," she says. "Ovals, pears, marquis and emeralds being really popular as the center stone, while in the past it was round shapes that were most popular."
Courtesy of KAY
Monique Lhuillier's Lab-Created Diamond LineEmbrace the prints, patterns and color
Lhuillier adds that colored center stones are becoming more appealing to couples shopping for engagement rings in addition to lab grown diamonds, as they’re able to have more variety of options to choose from. Lhuillier recently launched a colored gemstone and black diamond collection in Spring 2023, preceding the launch of the Lab-Created Diamonds collection this Fall.
Her new collection features twelve engagement ring styles, six universal matching bands, and three lab-created diamond bands. The engagement rings feature round, princess-cut, oval, emerald and pear shaped lab-created center diamonds set in 18K yellow gold, 18K rose gold, and 18K white gold.
"I also see alternatives like colored center stones, like a black diamond becoming popular," she explains. "People are embracing prints and pattern and color."
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