In a recent announcement, the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has declared its upcoming trade shows as synthetics-free zones, effective from the AGTA GemFair Tucson 2025 onwards.
Commencing with this event, exhibitors will no longer be permitted to showcase loose lab-grown stones or jewelry containing them, as stated in a release issued on Tuesday.
The decision stems from the disruptive impact lab-grown diamonds have had on the market, prompting the AGTA’s board of directors to proactively address potential confusion. The organization emphasized its commitment to clarity and transparency, affirming that while AGTA dealers may still opt to sell synthetic gems, they must be forthright about their origin.
AGTA, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, positions itself as the foremost authority on natural colored gemstones. Its trade shows, notably the annual Tucson fair held every February, draw over 8,000 buyers and feature around 300 exhibitors. Another significant event takes place in Las Vegas in late May and early June, coinciding with the JCK Las Vegas show.
Kimberly Collins, president of the AGTA board of directors and proprietor of Kimberly Collins Colored Gems, underscored the organization’s commitment to offering buyers exclusively mined natural gems. She emphasized AGTA dealers’ dedication to sourcing gems prized for their rarity, beauty, and natural origin.
The statement highlighted the inherent value and unique color properties of natural gemstones, contrasting them with their synthetic counterparts, which lack the same characteristics.
AGTA CEO John Ford reiterated the organization’s founding purpose, established in 1981 to represent the interests of wholesale dealers of natural gemstones, both cultured and natural pearls. The decision to ban lab-grown gemstones aligns with this core mission.
AGTA acknowledged the Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA) definition of synthetic gems as materials sharing identical chemical composition, crystal structure, and optical and physical properties with their natural counterparts.
However, AGTA emphasized that synthetic gems do not meet the criteria to be classified as minerals, as outlined by the British Geological Survey and the US Geological Survey, which require minerals to be naturally occurring.
In conclusion, AGTA’s decision to prohibit lab-grown gemstones at its trade shows reflects its ongoing commitment to upholding the integrity and authenticity of natural gemstones within the industry.