The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has issued new terminology guidelines for lab-grown diamonds, in response to an initiative from the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).

The regulations aim to distinguish more clearly between synthetic stones and natural diamonds to avoid misleading consumers, as transparency and consumer confidence are more critical than ever, the GJEPC said Wednesday. The new BIS rules align with the standards GJEPC follows, which in turn are similar to those of the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Under the new standard, India has formally adopted the terms “laboratory-grown” and “laboratory-created,” while banning labels such as “fake” and “artificial,” which the GJEPC called “misleading or outdated.” It also requires full disclosure of treatments and prohibits abbreviations including “lab-grown,” “lab-created,” “lab diamond,” and “LGD” to avoid consumer confusion.

“We thank BIS for launching the new standard aligned with globally harmonized framework for diamonds,” said GJEPC chairman Kirit Bhansali. “This standard will enhance consumer confidence and credibility in both natural and laboratory-grown diamond segments. This is a major step forward in ensuring India’s diamond trade continues to lead the world with integrity and transparency.”

The government initially held a meeting in November 2024 to discuss consumer protection, the lack of sector-wide terminology and inadequate disclosure practices in the diamond industry.

Image: Lab-grown diamonds. (Shutterstock)

Courtesy: Rapaport