In France, no industrial plan despite the explosion of synthetic diamonds

If the earth takes more than a billion years to shape a diamond. For example, the machines can create it, in the laboratory, in chain, and in seven days. Moreover, This culture of diamonds now represents an industrial challenge for France: with a global market estimated at $ 22.79 billion in 2023 (19.39 billion euros) and planned to reach 74.45 billion (63.34 billion euros) by 2032. However, these gems, identical chemically and physically to diamonds called “laboratory” or synthetic, Certitudes: Prestige, slowness, and watchmaking workforce under bell. Furthermore, This revolution frankly france, no industrial plan despite worries the historical giants. For example, starting with De Beers, a South African company, whose income was divided by two between 2022 and 2024. However, So much so that the group therefore sells its diamond division for $ 5 billion. In addition, an ambitious price that the market could reassess with less enthusiasm. Moreover,

France, present in all the debates on industrial sovereignty, shines in this area, essentially by its absence. For example, At all stages of the value chain, its technological capacities are nonexistent. Furthermore, France does not have any HPHT machine (high temperature high temperature), essential for the manufacture of synthetic diamonds. Therefore, These are classified ” Double use technologies And therefore prohibited for export by Beijing. When China protects its patents, France continues to study the subject. And its delay seems difficult to fill. “” France does not produce a laboratory diamond. (…) france, no industrial plan despite I think France has unfortunately missed the mark “. Declares Charlotte Daehn, co-founder of a diamond office dedicated to the laboratory diamond. “A French laboratory had a lot of trouble producing a competitive laboratory diamond with Indian productions. both in terms of quality as in terms of price. She said.

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Even the polishing of diamonds, a key step, is made in Surat, India, for $ 12 per carat. In China, he goes up to 56 dollars. Additionally, In France, it would cost so expensive, that no one seriously plans to do so … However. in order to avoid a total eclipse, a handful of young French companies attempts to position themselves on the industrial uses of synthetic diamonds: laser, optics, electronics, defense and medical applications. This france, no industrial plan despite niche orientation. still little structured, is more of the individual initiative than an industrial policy which does not consensus, but is a stake of sovereignty, publicly recognized by the experts.

In fact. if it is completely devoid of national production capacities, France will depend on foreign suppliers in these sensitive sectors. However. Charlotte Daehn predicts a radiant future, downstream of the diamond sector: “ Laboratory diamonds sold today for jewelry, in a way, research and development for laboratory diamonds dedicated to high technologies. (…) Because diamond is a semiconductor, and this market is much more important than jewelry. “He notably includes batteries, quantum computers, medical implants:” The production of laboratory diamonds will therefore necessarily continue to develop. »Ensures the professional.

France, no industrial plan despite

Significant budgetary differential

Public funding is dispersed. Calls for projects exist, but often drowned in large france, no industrial plan despite complexes of chemistry or nanotechnologies. Nothing specific, nor massif; A germ strategy only. The production of industrial diamonds requiring a lot of energy. the fight is even more harsh: in fact, in China, industrial electricity costs around 0.06 euros per kilowatt hour, thanks in part to subsidies and solar. In France, this cost revolves around 0.4 euros. A discouraging chasm … moreover. ” Laboratory diamond manufacturing factories are extremely polluting, their electricity consumption and their chemical waste releases “Recalls Céline Varnier, professional diamondary.

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On the market side. French jewelers do not oppose synthetic diamond resistance. Many of them continue to bet on the image of “traditional luxury”. This defensive position dodges the subject rather than anticipated it. “” There is a huge brake in France imposed by brands. by france, no industrial plan despite the jewelry federation, which make a real blocking on the laboratory diamond “Explains Charlotte Daehn.

Meanwhile, demand is changing. In the United States, 17 % of diamonds sold in 2023 were synthetic. More than half of the engagement rings now have a laboratory stone. More than a trend, it is normalization. “” Laboratory diamond is creating a real international crisis in the world of natural diamonds. The course has lost more than 25 % value. And end customers understand today that buying a diamond, it is not an investment. “Céline Varnier tempers this reading:” Once the boutique threshold has passed, the lab diamond has no heritage value. Pépite for the future. I do not think since it is bought today on the professional market at -95 % of the value of a natural diamond at equal quality. »

France could still position france, no industrial plan despite itself on this market. Because it retains a key role in marketing: ” Place Vendôme plays a very important role in the engine. of jewelry Said Charlotte Daehn. But this opportunity, unlike diamonds, will not be eternal …