Among those who have voiced concern about CIBJO’s decision to promote ‘synthetic’ over ‘lab-grown’ is World Federation of Diamond Bourses president Mehul Shah, who is urging governments to establish clear, local-language declarations rather than a universal term.
This approach would ensure consumers receive clear local-language declarations identifying diamonds as synthetic, without relying on technical terminology. Shah was elected president of the WFDB earlier this year. He made this request earlier this month, highlighting the importance of consumer awareness and protection.
“Every region or country has its own language under which various terminologies are used,” Shah said.
“I urge all trade bodies to come together and appeal to governments in the interest of consumers, to prescribe declarations in local language related to terminologies concerning lab-grown or synthetic diamonds that can be globally implemented.”
Shah stressed that English terms such as ‘synthetic’ or ‘lab-grown’ may be unfamiliar to some consumers in different markets.
“Terminology is meaningful only when it is understood, accepted and implemented by everyone,” he said.
“It must be communicated in a manner that is clear and easily understood by the people who are expected to use it.”
He also urged grading laboratories to use local languages on certificates and suggested adopting a trademark such as a Natural Diamond Mark, a concept recently promoted by the Natural Diamond Council, to identify mined diamonds.
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