The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) developed the standards following an initiative taken by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and detailed deliberations held with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs
New Delhi: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has notified new diamond standards aligned with global norms, clearly stating that the term ‘diamond’ will apply only to natural diamonds. BIS developed and notified the standards following an initiative taken by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and detailed deliberations held with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.
The standards specify recognized manufacturing processes such as Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) and High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) to ensure transparency. According to the GJEPC, the newly introduced standard IS 19469:2025 is based on a modified version of the international standard ‘ISO 18323:2015 – Jewellery – Consumer Confidence in the Diamond Industry’.
The revised Indian Standard, developed under the MTD 10 Committee of BIS, lays down comprehensive terminology and disclosure requirements for natural diamonds, laboratory-grown diamonds, treated diamonds, composite stones, and imitations. By clearly defining acceptable and prohibited terms, the standard aims to eliminate ambiguity, prevent misleading descriptions, and ensure that consumers are fully informed about the products they purchase.
Under the new standard, India officially adopts the terms ‘laboratory-grown diamond’ and ‘laboratory-created diamond’, while expressly disallowing misleading or outdated descriptions such as ‘fake’, or ‘artificial’ for such stones. The standard also mandates full disclosure of treatments and provides clear definitions to prevent consumer confusion. The new standards also states that abbreviations such as “lab grown”, “lab created”, “lab diamond” or “LGD” shall not be used.
This milestone reflects India’s leadership in promoting ethical, transparent, and globally aligned diamond trade practices. It provides clarity for traders, marketers, consumers, exporters, importers and certification agencies, ensuring uniform terminology in both domestic and international markets.
Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “We thank BIS for launching the new Indian Standard aligned with a globally harmonized framework for diamonds. This standard will enhance consumer confidence and credibility in both natural and laboratory-grown diamond segments. This is a major step forward in ensuring India’s diamond trade continues to lead the world with integrity and transparency.”
“GJEPC has been at the forefront of advocating clarity and fairness in diamond nomenclature. This collaboration between BIS, GJEPC and industry stakeholders has ensured that consumers are protected and that the trade operates under uniform, internationally recognized definitions,” Bhansali added.
Valued at approximately US$80-85 billion in FY24, the Indian jewellery sector is projected to grow to US$225-245 billion by FY35, underscoring the scale and momentum of domestic demand. As diamond jewellery occupies a distinct and rapidly expanding segment in India’s overall jewellery consumption market, ensuring clear, accurate, and transparent disclosure has become a key priority for the industry, enabling Indian consumers to make informed and confident purchase decisions.
India has already become the second-largest diamond jewellery market globally, overtaking China, with the market currently estimated at around US$10 billion. Diamond jewellery demand in India is expected to double by 2030, reflecting rising consumer aspirations and increasing penetration beyond traditional metropolitan markets.
The new notification will serve as a definitive reference for jewellers, traders, laboratories, and consumer protection authorities across India.
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