Zhengzhou’s Lab-Grown Diamond Sector Accelerates Its March Toward Becoming The Global Capital Of Lab-Grown Diamonds

Technology-Driven Empowerment and Full-Chain Upgrades:

• Zhengzhou's Lab-Grown Diamond Sector Accelerates Its March Toward Becoming the "Global Capital of Lab-Grown Diamonds"

 

Recently, the 2026 Zhengzhou International Lab-Grown Diamond Exhibition concluded successfully. As the nation's first professional event dedicated exclusively to the entire value chain of lab-grown diamonds, this exhibition vividly showcased the powerful momentum driving Zhengzhou's lab-grown diamond industry-marking a strategic leap from being merely a global hub for production capacity to becoming a global hub for brand value. Following over six decades of dedicated cultivation, this birthplace of synthetic diamonds is now leveraging technological innovation as its engine and a comprehensive industrial layout as its strategic lever to forge a new, multi-billion-dollar diamond industry track, thereby leading the high-quality development of the global lab-grown diamond sector.

Zhengzhou is the birthplace of my country's first synthetic diamond and boasts a deep-rooted legacy in the ultra-hard materials industry. Currently, the city is home to a cluster of 122 upstream and downstream enterprises in the lab-grown diamond sector, generating an industry output exceeding 15 billion RMB. This ecosystem encompasses a complete industrial chain ranging from equipment R&D and rough diamond synthesis to cutting, polishing, brand sales, and end-consumer markets. Data indicates that 63% of the world's rough lab-grown diamonds are produced in China; within the country, Henan Province accounts for over 80% of the national production capacity, while Zhengzhou alone contributes one-third of the national output. Furthermore, the export value of Zhengzhou's lab-grown diamonds consistently ranks first nationwide, firmly establishing the city-specifically the Zhengzhou High-tech Industrial Development Zone-as a core global hub for lab-grown diamond production capacity.

Dual-Track Technological Advancement: Fortifying Core Industrial Competitiveness

Zhengzhou has successfully established two mature technological pathways: High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT) synthesis and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). Enterprises typified by Huifeng Diamond have specialized in HPHT technology, contributing the majority of domestic production capacity through their mature manufacturing processes. Meanwhile, companies such as Tianxuan Semiconductor are driving advancements in CVD technology, enabling the mass production of large-carat, high-clarity diamonds while simultaneously expanding into high-end sectors such as fourth-generation semiconductors. Supported by seven national-level R&D platforms for ultra-hard materials, Zhengzhou has achieved independent control over core manufacturing equipment; consequently, the yield rate for mass-producing large-grain diamonds continues to rise, positioning the city's technological capabilities firmly within the global top tier.

 

Addressing Industrial Shortcomings:

Transitioning from "Selling Rough Diamonds" to "Building Brands"

For a long time, China's lab-grown diamond industry has grappled with a structural imbalance characterized by large-scale production, limited processing capabilities, and low domestic consumption. In response, local enterprises in Zhengzhou have proactively extended their operations downstream, focusing their efforts on areas such as customized design, fancy-shape cutting, and cultural-creative jewelry. Many companies have adopted a strategic model of "building brands domestically while expanding markets overseas," launching products ranging from personalized engagement rings to tourism-themed jewelry. This shift is driving the industry away from a focus on extensive capacity competition toward a path of refined, brand-driven development, effectively bridging the "last mile" between the factory floor and the end consumer.

 

Through cross-sectoral integration and innovation, the industry is expanding into new application scenarios. Zhengzhou's lab-grown diamonds are no longer confined solely to jewelry; the sector is rapidly diversifying into multiple new tracks. Industrial-grade diamonds are crossing over into the cultural-creative sphere-for instance, through "diamond micro-powder calligraphy," which fuses industrial materials with fine art. Lab-grown diamonds are also being combined with cultural and tourism intellectual property (IP) from the Central Plains region to create distinctive jewelry products. Concurrently, the industry is strategically positioning itself within industrial sectors such as semiconductors, optical devices, and precision machining, thereby unlocking the full potential of the new materials industry. Industry forecasts project that between 2026 and 2030, China's domestic market for lab-grown diamonds will experience an average annual growth rate of 49%. By 2030, the market size is expected to exceed 102.5 billion RMB, and Zhengzhou is currently seizing the early-mover advantage in this massive market.

 

 

Looking ahead, Zhengzhou will continue to strengthen policy support, talent cultivation, and standards development. It will further refine its industrial supply chain ecosystem, deepen collaborative innovation between industry, academia, and research institutions, and consolidate its global advantage in production capacity. Furthermore, the city is committed to vigorously nurturing homegrown diamond brands and striving to establish itself as the "World Capital of Lab-Grown Diamonds," ensuring that "Zhengzhou Diamonds" shine brightly across the global market.