The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the Indian regulator of quality standards, has come out with a new rule on diamonds, clarifying that only natural diamonds can be termed “diamond”.
The BIS has adopted IS 19469:2025 and modified ISO 18323:2015 – Jewellery: Consumer Confidence in the Diamond Industry.
Welcoming the new initiative, the Natural Diamond Council (NDC) said the new standard establishes a clear and enforceable framework for diamond terminology, drawing a firm distinction between natural diamonds and laboratory-grown diamonds. “This move strengthens consumer protection and supports greater transparency across the Indian diamond jewellery market,” it said.
The BIS has said the word “diamond” used alone applies exclusively to natural diamonds. Sellers may use qualifiers like “natural,” “real,” “genuine,” or “precious”.
Disclose LGD explicitly
Man-made alternatives such as lab-grown diamonds must be explicitly disclosed using only the full terms “laboratory-grown diamond” or “laboratory-created diamond”. Shortened abbreviations such as “LGD,” “lab-grown,” or “lab-diamond” are no longer permitted in disclosures.
The BIS does not allow use of terms such as “nature’s,” “pure,” “earth-friendly,” or “cultured” for laboratory-grown products. Furthermore, using brand names alone without the approved “laboratory-grown” qualifier is deemed insufficient disclosure.
Richa Singh, Managing Director, Natural Diamond Council, said: “This standard brings long-awaited clarity for consumers. When someone buys a diamond, they deserve to know exactly what it is—clearly, honestly, and without confusion. Defining what can be called a diamond strengthens trust and protects the value of a truly natural diamond.”
Brings clarity
The initiative received strong support from the jewellery trade across regions. Tarun Kanwar, Director at Navrattan Jewellers, said, “The new BIS standard strengthens that foundation by removing ambiguity in diamond terminology. We welcome this step.”
Vaibhav Saraf, Director at Aisshpra Jewellery, said, “We welcome the decision that the word ‘diamond’ should be used exclusively for natural diamonds, as this brings much-needed clarity and fairness for consumers.”
Gaurav Anand, Chairman at Anand Jewels, said, “This important BIS milestone brings greater accountability and transparency, putting consumers at the heart of the diamond ecosystem across India.”
The Natural Diamond Council said it remains committed to supporting the BIS and Indian authorities in the implementation of this framework. “By removing ambiguity and misleading terminology, the industry takes a collective step toward protecting both the emotional and financial value of every diamond purchase,” it said.
Published on January 16, 2026
