Lab-GrownOct 31, 2024
Q&A: Constance Polamalu on Selling Natural and Lab-Grown DiamondsLab-GrownDec 04, 2024
GJEPC Says Indian Trade Will Use FTC-Approved Terminology for Lab-Grown Diamonds
The FTC’s Jewelry Guides require “clear and conspicuous” disclosure when advertising lab-grown diamonds.
India’s GJEPC said it is adopting the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s guidelines for marketing and advertising diamonds, as included in the Jewelry Guides.
Mumbai, India—The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), India’s main jewelry industry trade organization, announced recently that it is adopting the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s guidelines for marketing and advertising diamonds.
Part of the revised Jewelry Guides released in 2018, the FTC’s guidelines dictate that when advertising lab-grown diamonds, companies must disclose what they are in a “clear and conspicuous” manner; in other words, the disclosure has to be somewhere consumers are going to see it.
The three terms the FTC recommends using for lab-grown diamonds are: laboratory-grown, laboratory-created, or [manufacturer name]-created.
Cultured can be used too, the FTC said, but it has to be “immediately accompanied, with equal conspicuousness” by one of the three aforementioned terms.
Terms such as “real,” “genuine,” “natural,” and “precious” cannot be used in advertising a lab-grown diamond, according to the Jewelry Guides, and when the word “diamond” appears by itself, it is taken to mean the product being advertised is a natural diamond.
GJEPC said the FTC’s updated guidelines, “provide a clear, standardized definition of ‘diamond’ and distinct terminology for laboratory-grown diamonds, ensuring clarity and transparency for both industry stakeholders and consumers.”
The organization said it will begin educating the Indian trade on the correct terms and their usage, and it will encourage other jewelry trade organizations and Indian retailers to adopt the FTC-approved terminology as well.
Related stories will be right here …
Part of the revised Jewelry Guides released in 2018, the FTC’s guidelines dictate that when advertising lab-grown diamonds, companies must disclose what they are in a “clear and conspicuous” manner; in other words, the disclosure has to be somewhere consumers are going to see it.
The three terms the FTC recommends using for lab-grown diamonds are: laboratory-grown, laboratory-created, or [manufacturer name]-created.
Cultured can be used too, the FTC said, but it has to be “immediately accompanied, with equal conspicuousness” by one of the three aforementioned terms.
Terms such as “real,” “genuine,” “natural,” and “precious” cannot be used in advertising a lab-grown diamond, according to the Jewelry Guides, and when the word “diamond” appears by itself, it is taken to mean the product being advertised is a natural diamond.
GJEPC said the FTC’s updated guidelines, “provide a clear, standardized definition of ‘diamond’ and distinct terminology for laboratory-grown diamonds, ensuring clarity and transparency for both industry stakeholders and consumers.”
The organization said it will begin educating the Indian trade on the correct terms and their usage, and it will encourage other jewelry trade organizations and Indian retailers to adopt the FTC-approved terminology as well.
On the consumer side, GJEPC said it has been working with the Indian government and the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution to get the guidelines for advertising diamonds established by the FTC written into the country’s consumer laws.
Currently, consumer understanding in India is that when the word “diamond” appears alone, it implies that the product the consumer is buying is a natural diamond, but India’s existing Consumer Protection Act does not specifically state this.
The GJEPC believes it should.
“Since India’s gem and jewelry trade has unanimously accepted the FTC’s new definition with respect to diamonds, we urge the Indian government and ministries to accept, adopt, and adapt the same to existing consumer laws of our country,” GJEPC Chairman Vipul Shah said.
“This initiative is in consumers’ interest and protects their rights while shielding them from misinformation. The FTC’s new definition reflects technological advancements and ensures clarity in diamond marketing, applying the same standards to both mined and lab-grown diamonds.”
Smit Patel, who heads the GJEPC’s Lab-Grown Diamond Panel, added that since is India is a leader in the lab-grown diamond sector, it should be using the same terminology for lab-grown diamonds that is being applied everywhere else.
“Globally, these diamonds are recognized as ‘laboratory-created’ or ‘laboratory-grown,’ not ‘synthetic diamonds,’ and India should embrace this terminology,” Patel said.
“The lab-grown diamond industry has also contributed to the creation of millions of jobs domestically and is driving substantial exports, reinforcing India’s position as a global leader in this rapidly growing sector.”
Following its meetings with the government, GJEPC said the country’s Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), which works to protect consumers from unfair practices, much like the FTC in the United States, organized a stakeholder consultation on consumer protection for the diamond sector.
The CCPA also has created a working group to review diamond terminology.
More on Lab-Grown
The Latest
FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in ManufacturerIts investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing DirectorNicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.
Weekly QuizAug 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEOLongtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LAThe full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring GiveawayThree winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRFJD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, RubiesThe new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
ColumnistsAug 12, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Take a Better HeadshotColumnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.
CrimeAug 11, 2025
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Death of Colorado JewelerPeter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.
IndependentsAug 11, 2025
Lisa Bridge to Depart Ben Bridge JewelerThe retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2025
Bethenny Frankel to Give Keynote at CBG’s Experience ShowThe Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.
EditorsAug 11, 2025
The Colors Expected to Be On-Trend in a Couple YearsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore recently attended a fabrics trade show where a trend forecaster shared her predictions for summer 2027.
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of FundraisingThe organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
