When and where? June 23 at the Sky Lounge at The Upper House

Who? Leslie Roskind, head of jewellery for Bonhams Hong Kong, Hpone-Phyo Kan-Nyunt, head of laboratory at Gübelin Gem Lab, and Nicholas Chow, founder and director of 5 + 2 Weekdays + Weekends

Here’s what you missed: Each panellist brought different perspectives to the table. Chow emphasised man-made stones’ practicalities, which include cost and wearability. However, Kan-Nyunt said the charm of mined diamonds lies in their unpredictability. “Chemically and structurally the diamonds are the same; the difference is that mined diamonds have rarity, which lab diamonds do not have.” With the need for more environmentally and ethically sound practices for diamond mining, lab-grown diamonds have become popular among eco-conscious buyers. As for the potential resale value of lab-made stones, Roskind was sceptical. Though with major jewellery players like DeBeers having launched their own lab-grown jewellery brand Lightbox in 2018, future debates on man-made diamonds might not be as polarised. “It’s always interesting to attract new clients and it’s important to know what the next generation is buying,” Roskind said.