Editor’s Note
India has introduced a new regulation stipulating that the term “diamond” can only refer to natural diamonds. This change aims to clarify labeling and protect consumers. We explain what this means for buyers and how it may affect the market.
A new rule has been implemented for diamond buyers in India. The term ‘diamond’ will now be used only for natural diamonds. Find out how this will impact purchases.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has made this change to protect consumers from confusion. Until now, terms were being used in the jewelry market that did not directly indicate whether a diamond was natural or lab-grown. Under the new rule, jewelry shops, brands, and online platforms must all use uniform and clear language. Customers will receive complete and truthful information at the time of purchase. BIS believes that increased transparency will automatically curb misleading marketing.
According to the new rule, if a piece of jewelry or a product is labeled simply as ‘Diamond’, it will mean a natural diamond—one that is mined from the earth. Retailers may add words like ‘real’, ‘genuine’, or ‘natural’ alongside it. However, the term ‘Diamond’ alone will be used exclusively for natural diamonds. The direct benefit will be that customers will understand just by looking at the name that the diamond in front of them is created by nature, not in a lab.
Rules for lab-grown diamonds have been made even stricter. They can now only be called ‘Laboratory Grown Diamond’ or ‘Laboratory Created Diamond’. Selling them using incomplete terms like ‘LGD’, ‘lab diamond’, or brand names will be considered incorrect. Furthermore, terms like ‘natural’, ‘pure’, ‘earth-friendly’, or ‘cultured’ can no longer be used for them, as they confuse customers. BIS wants customers to clearly understand just by the name whether a diamond is natural or prepared in a laboratory.