National News
India’s Jewellers Reaffirm Commitment to Natural Diamonds as Lab-Grown Hype Grows Abroad
As lab-grown diamonds (LGDs) gain popularity in global markets, particularly the U.S., India’s leading jewellers are doubling down on their commitment to natural diamonds—citing strong cultural preferences, authenticity concerns, and market dynamics.
Tanishq, India’s largest jewellery retailer, has launched “Diamond Expertise Centres” in select stores to educate and reassure customers about the authenticity of natural diamonds. These centres, featuring gemmological tools and expert consultations, will expand to 200 stores this fiscal year, with a long-term goal of reaching 500.
Global diamond giant De Beers, through its natural diamond brand Forevermark, is also betting big on India. It has identified the country as a key growth market, with plans to open 100 exclusive stores by 2030 and target annual revenues of $100 million.
While lab-grown diamonds have gained considerable ground in the U.S.—where they now represent over one-third of diamond sales by value—their presence in India remains minimal. Experts attribute this to cultural preferences: Indian consumers tend to prioritize authenticity and quality over carat size or affordability.
“The most common question our customers ask is: ‘Are your diamonds natural?’” said the CEO of Tanishq in a recent media interview, underlining the persistent consumer focus on genuine stones.
Price volatility in the LGD segment is another deterrent for Indian jewellers. CaratLane’s CEO told the media in an interview: “We are not going to get into LGD, that’s very clear. At the falling rate of LGDs, making money would be very difficult for anybody who is venturing into it.”
Instead, retailers are seeing growing traction in the mini solitaire segment—natural diamonds between 0.2 and 0.7 carats. CaratLane reported this category as its fastest-growing, especially among younger, first-time buyers looking for accessible luxury.
This trend mirrors India’s broader jewellery preferences. While U.S. consumers often choose 10- to 14-karat gold, Indian buyers typically favour purer 18- to 22-karat gold—valuing long-term worth and cultural significance.
As the global diamond landscape evolves, India’s jewellers are standing firm: promoting natural diamonds as symbols of trust, tradition, and timeless elegance—tailored to a new generation of discerning buyers.
- Event marks 42 years of Incorporation and 16 years of Operations
- Recently-appointed Consul-General’s first visit to the Bourse helps strengthen a century-old bond
- Long service awards presented to outstanding employees
Bharat Diamond Bourse today marked 42 years of incorporation and 16 years since the commencement of operations at the BDB Complex in BKC with a special programme graced by H. E. Pierre Stverlynck – Consul General of Belgium in Mumbai as Chief Guest and a number of leading diamantaires.
The function was organised to celebrate the crucial roles played both by the visionaries who conceptualised the need for a centralised infrastructure to boost the diamond trade over four decades ago, and the employees who have run the daily operations in a highly efficient and professional manner.
In his Welcome Address, BDB Vice President, Mehul Shah explained the significance of celebrating twin milestones – 42 years of incorporation and 16 years of operations. He said:
“BDB began with a vision and is now the world’s largest operational bourse, and a symbol of India’s leadership in the diamond world and excellence in every aspect of operations.”
He added, “It is significant that the Consul General of Belgium is with us on this special occasion. Antwerp and Mumbai have a very close relationship, going back more than 100 years. Today the two cities have bonds based on trust, trade and friendship. We are committed to strengthening this bond over the next century as well.”
Congratulating the awardees he said that members may be the owners, but it is the staff who run the complex and have helped build it as the “best of the best” centres for diamonds. “Personal integrity combined with hi-tech surveillance have made BDB one of the safest places in the world,” he explained, and urged all present never to forget that “it is the soldiers who fight and win the wars.” Mr Shah offered compliments to all the awardees and congratulated Team BDB.
Speaking on the occasion, Anoop Mehta, President BDB, welcomed Mr Stverlynck who has recently assumed charge as Consul General of Belgium in Mumbai.
“We are sure that this will be the first of many visits to our Bourse,” he said, noting that the Consulate is the nearest neighbour of the complex.
“The BDB leadership has always enjoyed a very special relationship with the Belgian consulate,” he added, “built on the longstanding bonds between the diamond industry in our two countries.”
Mr Mehta said it was heartening that so many employees had remained loyal to the BDB for multiple years, and urged all gathered to reach out through their department heads to put forward suggestions for further changes and improvements
Mr Stverlynck, who was on his first visit to the Bourse after assuming charge as Consul General, said he was extremely impressed with the facilities available for exporters within the complex. Assuring the trade of cooperation and support, he said he was happy to be personally present to celebrate such a remarkable institution as BDB that has become a key pillar of the India diamond industry.
Congratulating the leadership for its role in steering the bourse, as well as those employees who had received long service awards, Mr. Stverlynck said:
“The consolidated knowledge and experience of so many from those at the top to a number of others who contributed in various ways, is an asset to the industry.”
Special long service awards were presented to employees who completed special milestones during the year. These included 30-year, 25-, 15-, 10- and 5-year service awards to a few employees.
Belgian Consul General H. E. Mr. Pierre Stverlynck Graces BDB Annual Day
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Belgian Consul General H. E. Mr. Pierre Stverlynck Graces BDB Annual Day
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International News19 hours agoUS Holiday Shopping Expected To Top $1 Trillion For The First Time: NRF
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National News13 hours agoBelgian Consul General H. E. Mr. Pierre Stverlynck Graces BDB Annual Day
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National News14 hours agoLimelight Lab Grown Diamonds Crosses 100 Stores Milestone This Dussehra: Targets 200 In 2027
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New Premises15 hours agoJoyalukkas Opens Its 2nd Bengaluru Showroom in Jayanagar
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