New York – Bridal gown designer Monique Lhuillier is adding lab-grown diamonds to her collection of engagement rings at Kay Jewelers.
Lhuillier is once again expanding her “Bliss” line to include 21 new styles.
The offerings include 12 engagement ring styles, six “universal” or unisex matching bands, and three women’s lab-grown diamond bands.
The engagement rings feature round, princess, oval, emerald and pear-shaped lab-grown centre diamonds set in 18-carat yellow, white and rose gold.
“With the debut of this new category, I have showcased my signature designs with larger carat weights while remaining accessible to the Kay consumer,” said Monique Lhuillier in a statement.
She unveiled the collection at a private event in New York City on Wednesday, where she sat down for a Q&A with Alexandra Macon, wedding editor at Vogue.com and founder of bridal e-commerce site Over the Moon.
The two were introduced by Bill Brace, president of Kay Jewelers.
“It has been exciting to see how together we have been able to translate her fabulous designs into the world of jewellery and create what I believe is the pinnacle of design for modern brides and grooms,” said Brace.
During the discussion, Lhuillier spoke about her early connection to jewellery and her dream of opening a jewellery store.
“I grew up with a very glamorous mother,” she says. “She loved jewellery so much. Sometimes she would pick out her jewellery first and then decide what to wear, so she instilled that in me”.
She recalled receiving jewellery gifts for Christmas and Valentine’s Day when she was growing up.
In her high school yearbook, she said her goal was to open fashion and jewellery stores around the world.
She began her career in fashion and rose to become one of the best-known bridal designers before teaming up with Kay Jewellers during the pandemic.
Her two loves go hand in hand, with her jewellery reflecting the romantic, floral-inspired dress designs.
“You will only wear the dress once, but I wanted you to look at your jewellery and remember how special that moment was,” she said.
She also spoke about why she was reluctant to include lab-grown diamonds in her collection and what changed her mind.
About two years ago, the Kay team asked her if she’d like to use lab-grown diamonds.
“I wasn’t ready at the time. I didn’t know enough about the product.”
After learning more, she was on board with the idea.
“I love the way the stone looks. I love how it’s colourless. I love the brilliance and how you can get a striking design with a larger centre stone,” said Lhuillier.
Macon added: “The accessibility of the price points, you can’t ignore that.
The jewels range in price from $1,099 for a band to $19,000 for a three-carat diamond ring.
The collection is available online at the Kay Jewelers website and in select Kay stores.
Lhuillier expanded the Bliss line earlier this year to include coloured gemstones and black diamonds.
