Trade bodies to meet French government over concerns of terminology ban for lab-grown diamonds

France’s decision to use only the term ‘synthetic’ for lab-grown diamonds, banning all related terminology for man-made diamonds has been lauded by many global trade bodies of natural diamonds but has raised questions among LGD trade bodies

Surat: France, using the term ‘synthetic’ and banning lab-grown diamonds (LGD), had sparked discussion in the world’s leading LGD manufacturing hub. This, in turn, has raised concerns among our top industry leaders.

Top manufacturers and trade bodies were preparing to make representation to French authorities to reconsider the ban.

Meanwhile, in the recently announced budget, the Gujarat government used the term ‘synthetic diamond’, and allocated funds of Rs 7 crore to develop the Centre of Excellence.

The Centre will focus on developing synthetic diamonds and providing facilities for small and medium-scale industries.

Initially, while the announcement was celebrated by the industry leaders, questions are now being raised about the use of the term ‘synthetic diamond’.

“It is unclear why the term ‘synthetic diamond’ was used in the budget. We will approach the government to understand if it is used ‘especially’ for LGD,” said Vijay Mangukiya, Regional Chairman of Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).

“If the term is used for LGD, we will request the govt to use the term lab-grown diamond since it is the identity of a particular product,” added Mangukiya.

“We are objecting to the term, synthetic, by the French authorities. And also use of the term by our government is not in the interest of industry and trade. We will approach the govt and request to use lab-grown diamond, as it has its unique identity,” said Babu Vaghani, President, LGD Association, Surat.

The French Ministry of Economy and Finance banned using all terminology other than ‘synthetic’ for non-natural diamonds. The ban prohibited the use of ‘diamond’ for lab-grown or cultivated terms. Various global associations of trade bodies for natural diamonds praised the move by the French government.

Courtesy: timesofindia.indiatimes.com