Swarovski Plans Move into Natural Diamonds

RAPAPORT... Swarovski, the Austrian jeweler famous for its cut-glass crystals, is preparing to launch its natural diamond operations, Nadja Swarovski, head of corporate communications and design services, said in a panel discussion at the JCK Las Vegas show on Friday."We believe in the natural diamond story and we want to tell the story of a product that makes a positive contribution," Swarovski said in the session about embracing sustainability that was hosted by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).Swarovski is planning to start operations of its new "sustainably-sourced diamonds" within the next year, she said. The company is planning to manufacture rough into polished at its base in Austria and will also be sourcing polished from third-party suppliers for its pending collections, Swarovski told Rapaport News following the session. The company launched a line of "created diamonds" in 2016, which Swarovski said was driven by the claim that lab-grown goods had a better sustainability record than natural diamonds. It is currently collaborating on new lab-grown collections with designers Stephen Webster and Prince Dimitri respectively, she added.Swarovski is a family-owned business founded in 1895 that produces and sells crystal, natural gemstones, created stones, and finished products such as jewelry, accessories and lighting solutions.