In Mumbai, the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has adopted a new standard aligning with the US Federal Trade Commission's guidelines, defining a "diamond" as a natural stone extracted from the earth. As lab-grown gems gain popularity, the distinction between natural and synthetic diamonds has become crucial. Presently, diamonds, whether natural or lab-grown, are often sold without distinction. GJEPC is urging the Indian government to revise the Consumer Protection Act to ensure that the term "diamond" explicitly refers to a natural stone, aiming to prevent the misrepresentation of lab-grown diamonds as natural ones. To enhance consumer confidence, GJEPC plans to educate traders on ensuring transparency and compliance in labeling diamonds, distinguishing lab-grown diamonds from natural ones using terms like "cultured" followed by specific designations such as "laboratory-created" or "laboratory-grown." The use of the term "synthetic" for lab-grown diamonds is not favored by the FTC, but not prohibited.
MUMBAI: What's in a name? More than one might think- especially in the world of diamonds. India's trade body, Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), has now embraced a new standard, follo...