London Diamond Bourse Touts ‘Synthetic Diamond’ Terminology

The London Diamond Bourse (LDB) has recommended that its members across the UK trade use the term “synthetic diamond” to describe lab-grown stones.

The bourse is the first trade organization in the UK to show a preference for the wording, it said last week. Previous UK guidelines permit “synthetic,” “laboratory-grown” and “laboratory-created” as equally acceptable, but the exchange believes “synthetic” is the most “technically accurate, historically established and internationally understood,” it added.

The new terminology is intended to provide greater clarity and consistency in the industry. The term “synthetic diamond” clearly distinguishes manufactured products from natural ones without relying on marketing language, the LBD explained.

“Consumers should never be left in any doubt about whether the diamond they are purchasing is a natural diamond or a man-made product,” said LDB president Charlotte Rose. “Clear and unambiguous terminology allows consumers to make a genuinely informed choice, while protecting confidence in the wider diamond and jewelry sector. We strongly welcome the implementation of this best practice. It’s a positive, long overdue step towards greater clarity, consistency and consumer protection within our industry.”

The bourse’s decision follows that of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB), whose affiliated bourses voted unanimously at the 41st World Diamond Congress in Singapore in July to adopt the phrase “synthetic diamond.”

The recommendation came to the congress through a proposal former LBD president Alan Cohen submitted. It drew on work by the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) Diamond Commission, which the LDB fully supports.

France has already endorsed the moniker “synthetic diamond” for man-made stones, while Russia has issued guidelines stating the stones should be labeled “synthetic,” with the word diamond reserved for natural.

Image: Lab-grown diamonds. (Shutterstock)

The post London Diamond Bourse Touts ‘Synthetic Diamond’ Terminology appeared first on Rapaport.