Pressure is mounting on the Indian government to adopt transparent labeling practices that distinguish lab-grown diamonds from natural ones, much like the U.S. system, reports IDEX Online.
Accourding to the report, The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) in India, representing over 10,000 members, has voiced its concerns about confusion in diamond marketing. The GJEPC advocates for India to adopt the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines, which require lab-grown diamonds to be labeled in a way that is both “clear and conspicuous.” These regulations state that the word “diamond” should be reserved for natural stones, and that lab-grown stones must not be labeled as “real,” “genuine,” or “natural” unless clearly specified.
In a formal appeal to India’s Department of Consumer Affairs, the GJEPC emphasized the need for strict policies to ensure consumers are able to easily differentiate between natural and lab-grown diamonds. The council also highlighted that the absence of standard rules leads to uncertainty and urged for mandatory disclosures to clarify a diamond’s origin.