HRD is a subsidiary of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC). The laboratory will continue to issue certificates for jewellery containing lab-created diamonds. CEO Ellen Joncheere said emphasising the distinction between natural and lab-created diamonds was critical.
"As of 2026, we will no longer issue quality certificates for loose synthetic diamonds intended for commercial use," she said.
"In limited cases, we will continue to analyse synthetic diamonds, but strictly for research purposes. Jewellery containing synthetic stones will still be eligible for certification."
Earlier this month, AWDC launched a two-day marketing campaign that was also described as an effort to demarcate between natural and lab-created diamonds. The campaign included a gumball machine filled with lab-created diamonds at a popular shopping centre in Belgium.
This choice follows the Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA) decision to significantly alter certificates for lab-created diamonds, a strategic shift expected to begin later this year.
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