India continues to strengthen its position as a leading global jewellery consumption market. The sector was valued at approximately US$80–85 billion in FY24. It is projected to grow to US$225–245 billion by FY35. As domestic demand accelerates, transparency and consumer confidence have become essential. Therefore, the industry has prioritised clear disclosure and consistent standards.
Diamond Jewellery Emerges as a Key Growth Segment
Within the broader market, diamond jewellery shows strong momentum. India has surpassed China to become the world’s second-largest diamond jewellery market. The segment is currently valued at around US$10 billion. Moreover, industry estimates suggest that demand will double by 2030. This growth reflects rising aspirations and deeper market penetration beyond metro cities.
BIS Introduces IS 19469:2025
To address the need for clarity, the Bureau of Indian Standards has launched IS 19469:2025. The standard adopts a modified version of ISO 18323:2015, Jewellery – Consumer Confidence in the Diamond Industry. Through this move, BIS aims to strengthen consumer trust and align India’s diamond trade with global guidelines. In this context, the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council has welcomed the initiative.
Clear Terminology and Disclosure Framework
The BIS MTD 10 Committee developed the revised standard. It sets out clear terminology and disclosure requirements for natural diamonds, laboratory-grown diamonds, treated diamonds, composite stones, and imitations. As a result, the framework eliminates ambiguity and reduces the risk of misleading product descriptions.
Importantly, the standard allows the use of the term “diamond” only for natural diamonds. It also requires sellers to disclose laboratory-grown diamonds using approved terminology. Furthermore, the standard mandates full disclosure of any treatments applied to diamonds.
Industry Collaboration and Regulatory Alignment
BIS developed the standard following an initiative by GJEPC and consultations with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. Subsequently, the Ministry constituted Working Group 4. The group included representatives from key industry stakeholders. Together, they deliberated on terminology, disclosures, and consumer protection measures.
Under the new framework, India formally adopts the terms “laboratory-grown diamond” and “laboratory-created diamond”. At the same time, the standard prohibits misleading or outdated descriptions such as “fake” or “artificial”. In addition, it disallows abbreviations including “lab grown”, “lab created”, “lab diamond”, and “LGD”.
Strengthening Trust Across the Diamond Value Chain
IS 19469:2025 strengthens India’s leadership in ethical and transparent diamond trade practices. It offers clarity for jewellers, traders, exporters, importers, laboratories, and certification agencies. Consequently, it supports uniform terminology across domestic and international markets.
Mr. Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said: “We thank BIS for launching the new standard aligned with globally harmonised framework for diamonds. This standard will enhance consumer confidence and credibility in both natural and laboratory-grown diamond segments. This is a major step forward in ensuring India’s diamond trade continues to lead the world with integrity and transparency.”
Bhansali further added, “GJEPC has been at the forefront of advocating clarity and fairness in diamond nomenclature. This collaboration between BIS, GJEPC, and industry stakeholders has ensured that consumers are protected and that the trade operates under uniform, internationally recognised definitions.”
A New Benchmark for Consumer Protection
The notification will now serve as a definitive reference for jewellers, traders, testing laboratories, and consumer protection authorities across India. As a result, Indian consumers can expect greater confidence, clarity, and consistency when purchasing diamond jewellery.
