What to Know About Diamanté – Lab-Grown Diamonds in Hong Kong

HONG KONG

In Hong Kong’s glittering jewellery scene, where heritage brands dominate, Diamanté Diamonds is carving out its own niche — championing lab-grown diamonds while upholding old-world craftsmanship.

Founded by former investment banker Brian Lee, Diamante first built its reputation as a B2B supplier of premium stones before expanding into bespoke bridal and high jewellery. Today, the brand is a fixture at beauty pageants and high-profile charity galas, with appearances at luxury venues including The Ritz-Carlton and the W Hong Kong.

“Our rough comes from the US, and we only accept about 15 out of every 100 stones,” Lee explains, referring to the uncut diamond material. “Cutting is what differentiates one diamond from another. Everything we make is cut to golden-ratio proportions for maximum brilliance. That’s what makes our stones stand out—quality is our baseline.”

Diamante’s commitment to precision is matched by its innovation. The company has pioneered what Lee calls the “Lego concept”, a modular design system that lets clients transform a single piece — say, a stud earring — into a pendant or ring. “Jewellery should be personal and versatile,” he says. “Why own ten similar pieces when one can do it all, beautifully?”

Lab-grown diamonds remain central to Diamanté's ethos. Chemically identical to mined stones but produced with far less environmental impact, they’ve seen a dramatic rise in popularity. “Two years ago, lab-grown diamonds accounted for about 7% of Hong Kong’s market,” Lee says. “Now we estimate it’s closer to 30 to 35%. We see high-earning professionals choosing lab-grown consciously — not because they can’t afford mined stones, but because they prefer sustainable luxury.”

Diamanté is also known for its client-first approach. Its engagement ring rental programme allows buyers to propose with a placeholder ring before finalising the design. “Even people who think they know exactly what they want often leave with a completely different design after understanding all the options,” Lee notes.

All of Diamanté's pieces are crafted in workshops split between Hong Kong and mainland China, where experienced artisans oversee every step. A typical turnaround takes six to eight weeks — time Lee believes is essential for meticulous stone matching and finishing.

Beyond jewellery, Diamanté fosters a lifestyle-driven community, hosting art previews, wine tastings and watch-collecting workshops for clients. “We’re not just selling products — we’re creating a culture around beauty, craft and conscious luxury,” Lee says.

Private consultations are available by appointment in Hong Kong. More information can be found at diamante-labgrown.com