NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
New Delhi / Washington, January 4, 2026: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has issued a significant new clarification on how the word “diamond” may be used in product descriptions and labeling, part of broad efforts to protect consumers and boost confidence in the gem and jewellery trade. At the same time, the United States follows a different approach under its Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines — one that reflects a distinct view on lab-grown stones and terminology.
India’s New Standard: Natural Diamonds Only
Under the Indian Standard IS 19469:2025 recently notified by BIS, the term “diamond” by itself may be applied only to natural diamonds — stones that formed deep within the Earth over millions of years. Any diamond produced in a laboratory environment must be described with a clear qualifier, such as “laboratory-grown diamond” or “laboratory-created diamond.” Shortened or ambiguous terms such as “lab grown”, “lab created”, “lab diamond” and “LGD” are expressly prohibited because they can mislead consumers. Outdated phrases like “fake” or “artificial” are also disallowed, and full disclosure of any treatments the stones have undergone (for example, Chemical Vapour Deposition or High Pressure High Temperature processes) is required. Retail Jeweller India
BIS developed the standard after consultations with the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, adopting elements of the international ISO 18323:2015 framework to strengthen clarity and consumer trust. The new regime applies to the entire supply chain — from miners, manufacturers and retailers to exporters, certification bodies and consumer protection authorities — to ensure clear differentiation between natural and non-natural products. Retail Jeweller India
FTC Guidelines in the United States: Broad Definition
In contrast, the FTC in the United States has taken a broader approach to defining diamonds in its Jewelry Guides, last substantially revised several years ago. Rather than reserving “diamond” only for natural stones, the FTC’s current definition defines a diamond simply as “a mineral consisting essentially of pure carbon crystallized in the isometric system.” Importantly, the word “natural” was removed from this definition, which means the basic technical definition applies to any diamond — whether mined or lab-grown — so long as it meets the mineral criteria. growndiamondcorp.com
The FTC’s rules focus on preventing deceptive labeling. Sellers of lab-grown diamonds must disclose that they are lab-grown, and cannot use terms that suggest they are not genuine diamonds, but they are not prohibited from calling these stones diamonds as long as the lab-grown origin is clear. Terms that imply one kind of diamond is “real” and another is not are prohibited as unfair or deceptive in advertising. welcome.vdbapp.com
Why the Difference Matters
India’s stricter rule on the standalone use of the word “diamond” aims to eliminate confusion among buyers who may assume that an unqualified “diamond” is always a naturally mined gemstone. This is particularly important in India’s large and fast-growing jewellery market, now one of the world’s biggest by value, where clear product descriptions can protect buyers from misinformation. The Times of India
In the United States, the FTC approach still protects consumers but acknowledges that both natural and lab-grown diamonds share identical chemical and physical properties — both are minerals consisting of pure carbon arranged in the diamond crystal structure — and therefore can be accurately described as diamonds with appropriate qualifiers. growndiamondcorp.com
Industry and Consumer Impact
Industry groups such as the GJEPC have welcomed India’s move, saying it brings uniformity and clarity, aligning terminology with international norms. In the U.S., many jewellers and certification labs already use consistent language to describe lab-grown diamonds in a way that distinguishes them from simulants (like cubic zirconia) without suggesting one form has greater authenticity than the other. Retail Jeweller India+1
For consumers, the key takeaway is clear: in India, only naturally mined stones may be called “diamonds” alone at present, while in the U.S., lab-grown diamonds may also be called diamonds if their origin is disclosed. Both approaches aim to protect buyers from misleading claims — but they reflect differing regulatory philosophies and market contexts.
