Why Gemological Institutes Come to Lab Grown Dreams: Lab-Grown Gemstones in Education
Ansh Gupta
Author
For a business built on 35+ years of family heritage in the Bangkok gem trade, being a resource for the institutions that train the next generation of gemologists is a point of genuine pride.
[Journal]
Gemological education has changed. A decade ago, lab-grown gemstones occupied a single afternoon in most gemology curricula. Today, no student can graduate as a competent gemologist without the ability to identify, grade, and explain laboratory-grown diamonds and colored stones — because these materials now sit in every dealer's inventory and every consumer's shortlist.
That shift is visible in a very direct way at our office in Bangkok's Jewelry Trade Center: gemological institutes now come to us @ Lab Grown Dreams Headquarters.
Gem Schools at Our Headquarters
In 2024, the JK Diamond Institute of Gem and Jewelry brought a group of its students and directors to the Lab Grown Dreams headquarters at the Jewelry Trade Center. Over a 40-minute presentation, our team walked them through:
How CVD (chemical vapor deposition) diamonds are grown, and how they differ from HPHT material
Identification characteristics of lab-grown emeralds, rubies, and sapphires versus mined stones
The structure of the Bangkok lab-grown market — pricing, wholesale flows, and disclosure standards
What IGI and GIA certification covers for laboratory-grown stones, and how to read the reports
"Our role as an institute is to help consumers understand every gemstone's story. Lab-grown gems are becoming an important part of that story, and with proper education and transparency, they will continue to earn their place alongside natural gems in the global marketplace." Jaynil Ajmera — JK Diamond Institute of Gem and Jewelry
For a business built on 35+ years of family heritage in the Bangkok gem trade, being a resource for the institutions that train the next generation of gemologists is a point of genuine pride.
Why Educational Institutions Work With Lab-Grown Manufacturers
Gemology programs need lab-grown material for reasons that mined stones can't satisfy:
Identification training requires known samples. To teach students how to separate a CVD diamond from a mined diamond, or a hydrothermal emerald from a Colombian one, instructors need stones of verified, documented origin. A certified lab-grown stone from a known manufacturer is a controlled teaching sample.
Cost makes hands-on learning possible. A classroom set of mined emeralds fine enough to demonstrate top color is prohibitively expensive. Lab-grown equivalents let every student handle facet-grade material, not just view it in a case.
Consistency supports curriculum design. Lab-grown stones can be produced with repeatable characteristics, so an instructor can teach the same inclusion patterns and growth features year after year.
The market demands it. Graduates will grade, buy, and sell lab-grown stones from their first week of work. Institutes that skip this material graduate students who are unprepared for the actual trade.
Why Bangkok Is Where This Education Happens
Bangkok is one of the world's great gem trading hubs, and the Jewelry Trade Center on Silom Road concentrates dealers, cutters, laboratories, and schools within a few city blocks. This proximity means gemological education here isn't confined to classrooms, institutes can put students in front of working dealers and manufacturers within a short walk.
"The future of lab-grown gems is bright because innovation and consumer choice go hand in hand. As our industry evolves, these gems will continue to play an important role in making fine jewelry more accessible, creative, and inclusive. Thanks to Lab Grown Dreams and Ansh Gupta to show us around and educate us on the future of lab-grown gems and jewelry. " Priyanshu Goel — The Gemtlemen
Lab Grown Dreams operates from the JTC with direct access to this ecosystem. When an institute wants students to see how lab-grown stones are actually bought, sold, graded, and certified, they can do it at the source — rather than through slides.
What Lab Grown Dreams Offers Educational Institutions
We support gemological education in four ways:
Reference specimens — Certified lab-grown emeralds, sapphires, rubies, and CVD diamonds for teaching collections, supplied with IGI or GIA reports so students learn from documented material.
Market presentations — Talks at our JTC headquarters or on campus covering CVD growth technology, lab-grown identification, and the Bangkok wholesale market.
Hands-on evaluation sessions — Institutes are welcome to examine our inventory, test stones, and take samples for classroom evaluation.
Study-stone packages — Affordable parcels of lab-grown colored stones and diamonds sized for classroom use.
Educational institutions in Thailand and across Asia can contact us at [contact link] or visit our office at the Jewelry Trade Center, Silom Road, Bangkok.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do gemology schools use lab-grown gemstones for teaching? Yes. Modern gemology programs use lab-grown diamonds and colored stones as core teaching material, both to train identification skills and because certified lab-grown specimens are affordable enough for hands-on classroom use.
Where do gemological institutes source lab-grown stones in Bangkok? Institutes typically source directly from manufacturers and dealers in the Jewelry Trade Center on Silom Road. Lab Grown Dreams supplies certified lab-grown diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires to educational institutions from its JTC office.
Are lab-grown gemstones certified for educational use? Lab-grown stones carry the same laboratory reports as mined stones. Lab Grown Dreams supplies stones with IGI and GIA certification, which makes them verifiable reference material for teaching.
Can a school or university arrange a visit to Lab Grown Dreams? Yes. We host institute visits, student presentations, and evaluation sessions at our Jewelry Trade Center headquarters in Bangkok. Contact us to arrange a session.
Why are lab-grown stones better than mined stones for student training? They offer documented origin, consistent characteristics, and far lower cost — meaning every student can handle facet-grade material rather than observing it behind glass.
