DiamondBuzz
GJEPC addresses key India challenges at IDMA’s 23rd Presidents’ Meeting in New York
Anoop Mehta, Co Convener, Diamond Panel Committee and in the capacity of being the representative of GJEPC at IDMA delivered a compelling address at the International Diamond Manufacturers Association’s (IDMA) 23rd Presidents’ Meeting in New York. Also present at the event was Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC, reaffirming the Council’s commitment to addressing industry concerns and strengthening global partnerships.
A key concern is the impact of the G7 sanctions on Russian diamonds. Mehta acknowledged India’s commitment to ethical sourcing but warned that the sudden reduction in Russian rough supply-down by 37%-poses significant challenges. The sanctions could destabilise not only India’s diamond industry but also the global pipeline, with small workshops particularly vulnerable to rising traceability costs.
Mehta’s speech underscored the challenges and opportunities facing India’s diamond industry. highlighting the sector’s resilience amid global disruptions. He revealed that India’s rough diamond ports declined by 18% in volume and 34% in value e the past two years, while polished exports fell.
The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) plans to undo a decision it made back in 2010. It now wants all non-natural diamonds to be labelled only as “synthetic.”
This means the terms “laboratory-grown” and “laboratory-created” will be removed from CIBJO’s Diamond Blue Book (the global reference for diamond terminology and trade practices) and from related ISO Standards.
CIBJO also says the 4Cs grading system should apply only to natural diamonds, just as the GIA has recently decided.
Udi Sheintal, president of CIBJO’s Diamond Commission, explained that the earlier acceptance of “lab-grown” terminology was well-meaning but turned out to be a mistake.
He added that synthetic diamonds have often been marketed as more ethical, sustainable, and conflict-free—claims that, he argued, are usually not backed by evidence.
Udi Sheintal also stressed the need for clearer transparency. He said marketing should make it clear that synthetic diamonds are not grown in “laboratories,” but manufactured in industrial facilities using artificial processes.
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