Editor’s Note
This article discusses India’s new national standard for diamond terminology, which aims to enhance consumer protection and transparency in the gem and jewellery sector.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has adopted IS 19469:2025, a new national standard aimed at standardising diamond terminology and improving consumer confidence across India’s gem and jewellery industry.
The standard is a modified adoption of ISO 18323:2015 – Jewellery: Consumer Confidence in the Diamond Industry, and addresses long-standing concerns around inconsistent and ambiguous terminology used to describe diamonds and their alternatives, particularly in digital and e-commerce channels.
Under the new framework, the term “diamond” may be used exclusively for natural diamonds, with the word used alone always implying a natural origin. Traders may use qualifiers such as “natural,” “real,” “genuine,” or “precious” to describe natural diamonds. Terms such as “mined diamond” or “earth-mined diamond” are not permitted.
For laboratory-grown diamonds, IS 19469:2025 mandates clear and immediate disclosure at all times. Only the terms “laboratory-grown diamond” or “laboratory-created diamond” are allowed for commercial use. The standard prohibits the use of descriptors such as “nature’s,” “earth-friendly,” “conflict-free,” “pure,” or “cultured,” which may imply equivalence with natural diamonds. The term “synthetic diamond” may be used only in commercial or import-export documentation where required by law.
Welcoming the development, Richa Singh of Natural Diamond Council said the above. The Natural Diamond Council stated it will work with BIS, authorities, and trade bodies to support implementation and enforcement of the standard.
