India and the United States have issued conflicting definitions of the term "diamond" for labeling and marketing, creating a compliance challenge for global jewelry buyers. India's new standard restricts the unqualified word "diamond" to natural stones only, while the US Federal Trade Commission allows lab-grown diamonds to be called diamonds if their origin is disclosed. This regulatory divergence directly impacts how suppliers label products for export to each market.
India's New Standard: Natural-Only Definition
Under Indian Standard IS 19469:2025, notified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the term "diamond" may only be used alone for natural diamonds formed over millions of years. Lab-grown diamonds must be clearly qualified as "laboratory-grown diamond" or "laboratory-created diamond." Shortened terms like "lab grown," "lab created," "lab diamond," and "LGD" are expressly prohibited because they can mislead consumers. Outdated terms such as "fake" or "artificial" are also banned, and full disclosure of treatments like CVD or HPHT processes is required.
US FTC Approach: Broader Definition with Disclosure
In contrast, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) defines a diamond simply as "a mineral consisting essentially of pure carbon crystallized in the isometric system," removing the word "natural" from its definition. This means both mined and lab-grown diamonds can be called diamonds as long as the lab-grown origin is clearly disclosed. The FTC prohibits deceptive labeling but does not restrict the standalone use of "diamond" for lab-grown stones, provided the origin is transparent.
Supply-Chain Impact
India's standard applies to the entire supply chain — miners, manufacturers, retailers, exporters, certification bodies, and consumer protection authorities. Developed with input from the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, it adopts elements of ISO 18323:2015. For overseas buyers sourcing from India, all product descriptions, packaging, and certificates must comply with the new natural-only rule for unqualified "diamond" labels. In the US, sellers must ensure lab-grown diamonds are clearly disclosed but can still use the term "diamond."
What Buyers Should Watch
Importers and distributors should verify that their Indian suppliers update labeling and marketing materials to comply with IS 19469:2025. For US-bound goods, ensure lab-grown diamonds carry clear origin disclosures without implying one type is more "real" than the other. Certification labs and grading reports must also align with each market's terminology rules. Failure to comply could lead to customs holds, consumer complaints, or regulatory penalties.
China Sourcing Context
While this report focuses on India and the US, Chinese jewelry suppliers exporting to either market should note the divergence. For shipments to India, avoid using "diamond" alone for lab-grown stones; use only approved qualifiers. For US-bound products, maintain clear disclosure of lab-grown origin while retaining the term "diamond." This dual-standard environment increases the importance of market-specific labeling and documentation. Industry groups such as GJEPC have welcomed India's move, saying it brings uniformity and aligns terminology with international norms. In the US, many jewelers and certification labs already use consistent language to distinguish lab-grown diamonds from simulants like cubic zirconia without suggesting one form has greater authenticity than the other.
Source: Read the original report | Published: January 04, 2026