Discover how lab-grown diamonds are reshaping the jewelry market and investment landscape. Explore market trends, pricing shifts, and expert guidance on choosing between lab-grown and natural diamonds for engagement rings and investment pieces.
Verified Member
Influential Woman · Diamonds, Precious Stones & Fine Jewelry
Heidi Ortman Sheff
NYU
Owner and President, J. Ortman Jewelry
Boca Raton, FL 33432
2Articles published
Her Story
About Heidi
Heidi Ortman Sheff is a fourth-generation leader in the fine jewelry industry, serving as Owner and President of J. Ortman Jewelry, a family-owned wholesale company established in 1899 by her great grandfather, Julius Ortman. With over 40 years of experience, she has built a global network in diamonds, precious stones, and estate jewelry, giving clients access to exceptional pieces at wholesale prices, paired with her personalized concierge service. Heidi specializes in guiding clients through gemstone selection, custom jewelry design, and reimagining existing pieces, blending timeless elegance with modern sophistication. A Cornell University graduate with a degree in Design and Psychology, Heidi combines her academic background with industry expertise to create jewelry that balances aesthetics, functionality, and personal taste. She is also the founder of Heidi Designz, a line of fashionable jewelry for everyday wear, showcasing her versatility across both luxury and accessible markets. Heidi’s approach emphasizes trust, quality, and personalized attention, ensuring each client’s vision is realized while honoring the legacy of a century-old family business. Her impact in the jewelry industry reflects her dedication to excellence, innovation, and delivering a unique and meaningful jewelry experience.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Heidi
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my creativity, motivation and passion for the business, which drive me to pursue excellence, innovation, and provide personalized service in the fine jewelry industry. I also learned from and worked with my grandfather, Jack Ortman- information and knowledge above and beyond what any text book could provide! I had the honor and privilege to work by his side from 1985-1990.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received came from my grandfather, Jack Ortman, who I had the privilege of working with for 5+ years. He taught me how to purchase jewelry at auctions and from other wholesale dealers at the correct price so you can always give your client an excellent value. Also the art of building relationships in business—showing me that thoughtful gestures, like gifting a piece to a client’s loved one, create lasting connections and loyal clients.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering the jewelry industry to create their own personal brand and leverage social media to showcase their expertise and connect with clients.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—in my field right now is attracting new young clients while building lasting relationships in a competitive market.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are integrity, creativity, and family—spending time with my four daughters and four grandchildren, exploring museums and art, designing jewelry, and enjoying the beach, bike riding, swimming and dancing.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Heidi
Modern Day Investment in Diamonds & Jewelry
Shift in the Market Place for Natural Diamonds & Lab-Grown Diamonds
Over the last few years, the market has shifted dramatically in commercial grade Natural Diamonds. Lab Grown Diamonds have surged in popularity, especially among younger consumers buying engagement rings and classic jewelry staples, such as diamond stud earrings, pendants, diamond tennis bracelets and necklaces. A lab-grown diamond is a gemstone produced under controlled conditions, either using High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) methods. They are produced from a sliver of a natural diamond and are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural mined diamonds, as they are both composed of pure carbon in the same crystalline form. A gemologist cannot even tell the difference as you need special equipment and machinery to make an accurate distinction; Therefore, you should always have a GIA or IGI certificate when purchasing larger size stones.
https://jortman.com/natural-diamonds-lab-grown-diamonds-and-cubic-zirconia/
Sales Value & Market Size for LGD
- 2022: Estimated global lab-grown diamond sales were just shy of USD 12 billion, up from under USD 1 billion in 2016 .
- 2023: The global market size was around USD 22.8 billion .
- 2024: Projected to climb to USD 25.9 billion .
- 2032 Forecast: Expected to reach US74-75 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 14 % per year .
Certification & Volume Indicators for LGD
- The International Gemological Institute (IGI) reported a 24 % year-on-year increase in certification of lab-grown diamonds, with export volume rising from 7.81 million carats in FY 2023–24 to 15.29 million carats in FY 2024–25
Why the shift?
Affordability: Since around 2018–2020, prices of lab-grown diamonds have dropped dramatically—up to 70–86 % cheaper than similar-quality mined stones by 2025 (Retail)
Ethical & Environmental Appeal: They avoid mining-related environmental and ethical concerns and are favored by younger consumers and more affluent buyers seeking sustainable luxury.
Their resale value is less significant, and expectations are clearer at the onset.
As a result, the market for commercial-grade, Natural diamonds has practically collapsed. In fact, I’m now seeing clients who have purchased natural diamonds at retail stores just last year experiencing a 50–80% loss on resale.
As a wholesale diamond dealer and jeweler, and with 40 years of experience with J. Ortman Jewelry, I have never seen such a dramatic shift in diamond valuation.
Here is my professional guidance:
For Diamond engagement rings and staple jewelry, choose certified, high-quality Lab Grown Diamonds. The Diamonds are exactly the same as Natural Diamonds except for the price.
https://jortman.com/the-future-of-diamonds-how-sustainable-gems-are-reshaping-the-jewelry-industry/
https://jortman.com/should-i-buy-lab-grown-diamond-studs-over-natural-diamonds/
For investment in pleasure and possible long-term value and appreciation, advise your clients to consider:
- One-of-a-kind signed vintage jewelry
- Precious gemstones: Gem Quality Ruby, Emerald & Sapphire.
- Natural Fancy Color Diamonds
- Gem quality Natural White Diamonds that are at least 3cts +, DEF in color, VVS-VS in clarity, excellent in make.
These categories continue to retain — and even grow — in value due to their rarity and collector appeal.
https://jortman.com/color-your-world/
https://jortman.com/rare-jewels/
https://jortman.com/most-expensive-fancy-color-diamond-earrings/
https://jortman.com/rubies-are-red-violets-are-blue/
https://jortman.com/magical-gems-with-a-soul-by-mourad-hatik/
If you or your clients have questions, need resale guidance, or are looking to acquire rare gem stones and high-end vintage pieces, I’m here to help guide you and make your purchases at a good value.
What I can provide for you or your clients:
- I am an expert in my industry for investment guidance and resale council and advise.
- I am a wholesale, concierge jewelry designer who custom makes or curates fine jewelry, based in Boca Raton, so you get the best value without the high retail markups.
- I also have access to a global network of Significant Precious Stones, Significant Natural Diamonds, and Vintage jewelry at wholesale prices.
- I also buy gold and jewelry. It is a great time for individuals to sell their old, outdated gold jewelry at the inflated gold price.
Let’s connect!
Heidi Ortman Sheff
heididesignz@gmail.com
914-643-1553
Discover J. Ortman Jewelry's century-old legacy of excellence. Access gem-quality diamonds, precious gemstones, and fine jewelry at wholesale prices with Heidi Ortman Sheff's expert guidance as your personal Concierge Jeweler.
J. Ortman Inc
Discover timeless elegance and personalized luxury from a trusted family jewelry legacy with over a century of expertise.
J. Ortman Jewelry upholds the heritage of a century-old, family-owned legacy celebrated for its unparalleled mastery of Diamonds, Precious Gemstones, and Fine Jewelry, est. 1899.
The fourth generation, and with over 40 years of industry expertise, Heidi Ortman Sheff has a global network in the wholesale market which allows her to access gem-quality natural and lab-grown diamonds, precious gems, and exquisite jewelry at wholesale prices, bypassing the significant markups often associated with retail purchases. This means you can acquire stunning, high-quality pieces without the extra costs while also benefiting from her personal touch. As your personal, Concierge Jeweler, Heidi will help guide you through every step, from selecting the perfect gemstone to designing a custom piece that reflects your unique style and budget.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.