BIS created standards, initiated by GJEPC puts Indian consumers at the centre as diamond jewellery demand accelerates

As India rapidly emerges as one of the world’s most important jewellery consumption markets, the need for transparency and consumer confidence has never been more critical. Valued at approximately US$80–85 billion in FY24, the Indian jewellery sector is projected to grow to US$225–245 billion by FY35, underscoring the scale and momentum of domestic demand.

Within this broader growth, diamond jewellery occupies a distinct and rapidly expanding segment. India has already become the second-largest diamond jewellery market globally, overtaking China, with the market currently estimated at around US$10 billion. Diamond jewellery demand in India is expected to double by 2030, reflecting rising consumer aspirations and increasing penetration beyond traditional metropolitan markets.

In this evolving landscape, ensuring clear, accurate, and transparent disclosure has become a key priority for the industry, enabling Indian consumers to make informed and confident purchasing decisions.

In this context, the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) welcomes the Bureau of Indian Standards’ (BIS) launch of new IS 19469:2025, an adoption of the modified version of “ISO 18323:2015 – Jewellery – Consumer Confidence in the Diamond Industry”, in an endeavour to strengthen consumer trust, ensure clarity in nomenclature, and align India’s diamond trade with international guidelines.

The revised Indian Standard, developed under the MTD 10 Committee of BIS, lays down comprehensive terminology and disclosure requirements for natural diamonds, laboratory-grown diamonds, treated diamonds, composite stones, and imitations. By clearly defining acceptable and prohibited terms, the standard aims to eliminate ambiguity, prevent misleading descriptions, and ensure that consumers are fully informed about the products they purchase.

Importantly, the standard clarifies that the term “diamond” refers only to natural diamonds, while laboratory-grown diamonds must be clearly disclosed using approved terminology.

BIS developed and notified the standards following an initiative taken by GJEPC and detailed deliberations held with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

Pursuant to the Ministry’s directives, a Working Group 4 was constituted with representatives from industry stakeholders for detailed deliberations on this important subject.

Under the new standard, India officially adopts the terms “laboratory-grown diamond” and “laboratory-created diamond”, while expressly disallowing misleading or outdated descriptions such as “fake,” or “artificial” for such stones. The standard also mandates full disclosure of treatments and provides clear definitions to prevent consumer confusion. The new standards also states that abbreviations such as “lab grown”, “lab created” “lab diamond” or “LGD” shall not be used.

This milestone reflects India’s leadership in promoting ethical, transparent, and globally aligned diamond trade practices. It provides clarity for traders, marketers, consumers, exporters, importers and certification agencies, ensuring uniform terminology in both domestic and international markets.

Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “We thank BIS for launching the new standard aligned with globally harmonised framework for diamonds. 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.”

Bhansali further added, “GJEPC has been at the forefront of advocating clarity and fairness in diamond nomenclature. This collaboration between BIS, GJEPC, and industry stakeholders has ensured that consumers are protected and that the trade operates under uniform, internationally recognised definitions.”

The notification will serve as a definitive reference for jewellers, traders, laboratories, and consumer protection authorities across India.

Courtesy: AOJ Desk News