DiamondBuzz
New Indian Standard Removes Ambiguity, Reserves “Diamond” for Natural Diamonds
This new BIS standard ensures that consumers can clearly distinguish between natural diamonds and laboratory-grown alternatives through mandatory disclosure and standardised terminology.
The Indian gem and jewellery industry has long faced challenges arising from the use of multiple, inconsistent, and often ambiguous terms to describe diamonds and their alternatives—particularly in digital and e-commerce environments. This lack of formal guidance has contributed to consumer confusion and inconsistent disclosure practices across the market.
The Natural Diamond Council (NDC) welcomes the adoption of IS 19469:2025 by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), a modified adoption of ISO 18323:2015 – Jewellery: Consumer Confidence in the Diamond Industry. The new standard introduces a clear and enforceable framework for diamond terminology, establishing a definitive distinction between natural diamonds and laboratory-grown diamonds. By doing so, it strengthens consumer protection and supports the long-term credibility and integrity of the Indian diamond jewellery sector.
The new mandate claims that the term “diamond” applies exclusively to natural diamonds, as the word used alone always implies a natural origin. Under these rules, traders are permitted to use qualifiers such as “natural,” “real,” “genuine,” or “precious” to describe natural diamonds. The use of other terms like mined diamond, earth-mined diamond etc, are not permitted.
For laboratory-grown diamonds, the standard requires explicit and immediate disclosure at all times. Only the terms “laboratory-grown diamond” or “laboratory-created diamond” are permitted for commercial use. The standard expressly prohibits the use of misleading or promotional qualifiers—including nature’s, earth-friendly, conflict-free pure, cultured, or similar terms—that may imply equivalence with natural diamonds. The term “Synthetic Diamond” may be used in commercial documents or import/export documents, if so, required, under the laws or the regulation of any country, which such diamonds are to be exported, or from which such diamonds are to be imported.
Commenting on the development, Richa Singh, Managing Director, Natural Diamond Council, said: “Consumer protection is central to everything we do at the Natural Diamond Council. Clear, consistent terminology is essential to maintaining trust. By eliminating ambiguity and mandating full disclosure, these standards protect industry integrity and ensure consumers can confidently distinguish between a natural diamond and a laboratory-grown diamond.”
The Natural Diamond Council remains committed to working closely with BIS, Indian authorities, trade bodies, and industry stakeholders to support the correct implementation and enforcement of this terminology framework. By eliminating misleading descriptors and establishing consistent disclosure, the industry collectively safeguards the emotional and financial integrity of the diamond-buying experience.
DiamondBuzz
De Beers Group Launches “Heera Hai Aapke Liye” Program at IIJS Bharat Signature to Revolutionize Natural Diamond Accessibility in India
De Beers Group, the world’s leading diamond company, marked a significant milestone in the Indian jewellery landscape with the official launch of the “Heera Hai Aapke Liye” program at IIJS Signature. The star-studded event featured actress Sonakshi Sinha, who joined Shweta Harit, Global Senior Vice President of De Beers Group and CEO of Forevermark, to unveil an initiative dedicated to making natural diamonds an integral part of daily life for the modern Indian consumer.
The “Heera Hai Aapke Liye” (Diamonds are for You) program is strategically designed to promote natural diamonds by raising awareness, boosting market visibility,and creating a seamless connection between retailers and consumers. With a focus on modern designs and attractive price points, the program also lets local retailers use De Beers Group campaigns as their own—second-piercing earrings, ‘Bestie’ bracelets, and ‘Intention’ pendants. It positions diamonds as a lifestyle choice for self-expression and daily wear.
Speaking at the launch, Shweta Harit, Global Senior Vice President of De Beers Group and CEO of Forevermark, detailed the evolution of the brand’s storytelling, stating, “De Beers Group has a rich legacy of creating iconic ritual campaigns that have shaped how the world perceives diamonds. With ‘Heera Hai Aapke Liye,’ program we are evolving that narrative for the Indian market to another level.
We are not just selling jewellery, we are making natural diamonds more accessible and desirable in India. Our goal is to empower retailers through INDRA (Indian Natural Diamond Retailer Alliance) to ensure that every ‘First Diamond’ journey is as credible as it is beautiful.”
Speaking on the occasion, Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), said, “IIJS has always been a powerful platform for shaping the future of India’s gem and jewellery industry, and the launch of ‘Heera Hai Aapke Liye’ at IIJS Signature reinforces that role. GJEPC is proud to partner with De Beers Group on the INDRA (Indian Natural Diamond Retailer Alliance) project, which is a critical step towards strengthening domestic demand for natural diamonds.
By empowering retailers, enhancing consumer confidence, and expanding access across metros and Tier 2 markets, this initiative aligns perfectly with our vision to grow the natural diamond category sustainably within India.”
The program ‘Heera Hai Aapke Liye’, rests on few strategic pillars aimed at industry growth and scalability:
- Stocking & New Consumer Opportunity: Identifying gold wholesalers and distributors across 15–20 cities to focus on a first-phase target of 500 retailers.
- Retailer Advantage: Providing a “Design Advantage” and strict “Product Hygiene,” backed by a clear buy-back policy and robust training and marketing support via the INDRA alliance.
- Heera Hai Aapke Liye is robust entry-level product kit featuring earrings, bangles, bracelets, etc supported by exclusive visual merchandising (VM) for display.
- Growth and Scalability: A PAN-India reach strategy designed to unlock new business opportunities for both manufacturers and retailers.
As India continues to grow as the world’s second-largest market for retail diamond jewellery, De Beers Group remains committed to strengthening the natural diamond narrative. By combining the emotional appeal of natural diamonds with the practical “Heera Hai Aapke Liye” framework, De Beers aims to build a sustainable future for the category across both metros and Tier 2 cities. De Beers and GJEPC aim to expand the base of Natural Diamond buyers, increase self-purchase consideration, and establish long-term credibility for the category.
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De Beers Group Launches “Heera Hai Aapke Liye” Program at IIJS Bharat Signature to Revolutionize Natural Diamond Accessibility in India
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