CIBJO Launches Guide to Lab-Grown Terms

Mar 14, 2021 6:37 AM By Rapaport News

Comment

Facebook

Twitter

RAPAPORT... The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) has launched a new website to inform the jewelry trade and consumers of the proper terminology for describing lab-grown and natural diamonds.

The website — called “What Is a Diamond?” — refers to diamonds as “a mineral consisting essentially of carbon that crystallizes in the isometric (cubic) crystal system,” CIBJO said last week. Natural also implies materials that are completely formed by nature, without human intervention, CIBJO explained.

Meanwhile, diamonds referred to as lab-grown, lab-created, or synthetic are “an artificial product having essentially the same chemical composition, physical properties, and structure as that of a diamond, whichever growing method is used.” CIBJO defines artificial as products made, either partially or completely, by man.

CIBJO’s terminology contrasts with that of the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which removed the word “natural” from its definition of a diamond in 2018. Additionally, the commission advises against using words that would imply lab-grown diamonds are artificial or fake.

The organization built the website in partnership with the Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF). All terminology also complies with instructions from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), CIBJO noted.

“The purpose of this website is to be an easy-to-find and simple-to-understand reference point for all those who purchase, sell or handle diamonds,” said CIBJO president Gaetano Cavalieri. “Our goal is not to indicate what is better or more valuable, but rather to ensure that the public is able to distinguish between the different products in the marketplace. Consumer confidence, which is the bedrock of our industry, is completely dependent on people being able to make informed purchasing decisions.”

Update, March 16, 2021: This story has been updated with information on the FTC’s terminology regarding mined and lab-grown diamonds.

Image: Polished diamonds in a shovel. (Shutterstock)

Tags: CIBJO, Gaetano Cavalieri, lab-grown diamond, Rapaport News, SSEF, Swiss Gemmological Institute, What Is a Diamond, World Jewellery Confederation