New Guidelines Clarify: 'Diamond' Means 'Natural'

RAPAPORT... Leading groups in the diamond and jewelry sectors have collaboratedto publish a universal standard to use when referring to natural diamonds and synthetics. The Diamond Terminology Guideline is a reference on diamondvocabulary for all sector organizations,traders and retailers to use, nine industry bodies said in a joint statement Tuesday.   The document stipulates that the words "diamond" and"gemstone" imply natural origin. The industry should use"synthetic," "laboratory-grown" or "laboratory-created," and should avoid the terms "real," "genuine" and "authentic," when describing such man-made products. "Protecting consumer confidence is of paramount importanceto the long-term success of our industry," World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO)president Gaetano Cavalieri said. "The Diamond Terminology Guideline is animportant tool in achieving this, by helping standardize the terminology usedto clearly distinguish between diamonds and synthetic diamonds, in allcommunications, among ourselves and with our customers." The guidelines are based on the ISO Standard 18323 for jewelryand on CIBJO's diamond Blue Book, which are internationally accepted benchmarks inthe field. The parties that created the document, in addition to CIBJO, are: the Antwerp WorldDiamond Centre (AWDC), the DiamondProducers Association (DPA), the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council(GJEPC), the Israel Diamond Industry (IDI), the International Diamond ManufacturersAssociation (IDMA), the US Jewelry Council (USJC), the World Diamond Council (WDC)and the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFBD).Image: Diamond Producers Association