The Lab-Grown Diamond & Jewellery Promotion Council (LGDJPC) has appointed Mr. Rahul Desai, Managing Director and CEO of the International Institute of Gemology (IIG), as its Honorary Education Director. The appointment marks a significant step towards strengthening education, transparency, and knowledge-sharing within the rapidly evolving diamond landscape.

As one of India’s foremost voices in gem and jewellery education, Rahul Desai has long championed the idea that learning should not merely follow industry change, it should lead it. In his new honorary role, he will work closely with the Council to design and guide educational frameworks that enhance understanding of lab-grown diamonds (LGDs) through research, skill-building, and open dialogue.

The Lab-Grown Diamond & Jewellery Promotion Council, a not-for-profit organization, represents the interests of growers and traders in the lab-grown diamond ecosystem. However, its broader vision extends beyond advocacy, it aims to promote informed coexistence and consumer trust across the diamond industry.

“Education brings neutrality, and neutrality builds trust,” said Rahul Desai, reflecting on his appointment. “My goal in this role is to create more informed, transparent, and skill-oriented discussions around lab-grown diamonds, where knowledge, and not perception, drives understanding. The focus will remain on building clarity across the value chain, so every stakeholder can engage with confidence, respect, and well-defined product knowledge. Education should not take sides; it should illuminate them.”

Under his leadership, the educational initiatives of the Council will aim to create a more transparent dialogue between all stakeholders: manufacturers, retailers, and educators, focusing on defining standards, improving product knowledge, and nurturing next-generation talent.

Commenting on the appointment, Shashikant D. Shah, Chairman of the LGDJPC, said, “Rahul Desai represents the best of both worlds, deep academic insight and real-world industry understanding. His appointment reflects our commitment towards elevating the discourse around lab-grown diamonds through credible, unbiased education. We believe his leadership will help create a more informed and confident ecosystem, where both natural and lab-grown segments can grow with respect and understanding.”

This collaboration between LGDJPC and IIG is based on a shared belief: that education is the foundation on which innovation, ethics, and growth in the diamond industry must stand.