RJC to Develop Lab-Grown Standards

RAPAPORT... The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) is creating new guidelines for the industry's use of lab-grown materials, the group said Thursday.The rules - which will cover synthetic diamonds and gemstones - aim to establish best practices, including a requirement for full disclosure when jewelers use any lab-grown material in their products. The new standard will be separate from the organization's regular code of practices, since lab-grown goods carry a different risk profile than natural products, the RJC explained."Setting a standard for [lab-grown materials]...is all about consumer confidence," said RJC executive director Iris Van der Veken. "This standard will provide a clear, robust framework not only for manufacturers and retailers, but also for reassuring customers that the manufacturers and sellers of [these materials] follow rigorous processes that ensure the credibility and transparency of their operations."Before finalizing the guidelines, the RJC will open them to public review by all stakeholders. Afterward, it will make them available to all companies dealing in lab-grown goods.Images: Lab-grown diamonds (top); Iris Van der Veken (Inset). (Diamond Foundry/Responsible Jewellery Council)