CIBJO signs on to IDC diamond rules
Organizations agree on diamond nomenclature, grading standards
June 13, 2008
Antwerp, Belgium—Three international diamond trade organizations have come to a consensus on what to call lab-grown diamonds as well as standards for diamond grading.
According to a release from the
International Diamond Council (IDC), during the 33rd World Diamond Congress held in Shanghai, China, in May, the two organizations that make up the IDC—the World Federation of Diamond Bourses and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association—came to an agreement with the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) that all three would abide by the new IDC rules.
The new IDC rules broaden the range of terminology that can be used for gem-quality diamonds that have been created in a laboratory or factory. The IDC dictates that these diamonds be called "synthetic," "laboratory grown," "laboratory created" or "man made," and these descriptors must always be followed by the word "diamond" or "diamonds."
In addition, the term "cultured" cannot be used to describe gem-quality, lab-grown diamonds.
Currently, CIBJO's
Diamond Blue Book only allows the use of the word "synthetic" to describe these stones.
In addition, these three organizations agreed to recognize the revised IDC rules for grading diamonds.
IDC Chairman Stephane Fischler called this achievement a milestone event.
"Concerning diamond nomenclature, we have been aiming to get IDC—i.e., WFDB and IDMA—in line with CIBJO for many years. This important achievement bodes well for the development of the future of international diamond-grading standard and nomenclature," he said.
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