The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced a groundbreaking regulation that will reshape how diamonds are described and sold in India. The BIS diamond disclosure standard IS 19469:2025, notified in Mumbai in January 2026, represents a significant milestone in consumer protection and industry transparency.
What is IS 19469:2025?
IS 19469:2025 is India’s adoption of the international ISO 18323:2015 standard titled “Jewellery — Consumer confidence in the diamond industry.” The standard was developed under the BIS MTD 10 Committee following an initiative by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).
Key Features of the Standard
The standard establishes comprehensive terminology and disclosure requirements for:
- Natural diamonds
- Laboratory-grown diamonds
- Treated diamonds
- Composite stones
- Diamond imitations
Why This Standard Was Needed
Prior to IS 19469:2025, India faced several challenges:
- Lack of sector-wide uniform terminology
- Inadequate disclosure practices
- Consumer confusion between natural and lab-grown diamonds
- Need for alignment with global standards
Understanding Diamond Terminology & Classification Under IS 19469:2025
The standard clearly defines five major categories every student must know:
- Natural Diamond: A diamond formed naturally in the earth. Only this category may be called “diamond” without qualification.
- Laboratory-grown Diamond: A diamond produced by human-controlled processes such as HPHT or CVD. Must always be disclosed using full terminology.
- Treated Diamond: Any diamond (natural or lab-grown) that has undergone colour, clarity, or surface treatments.
- Composite Stone: A stone made of multiple parts (e.g., diamond combined with other materials).
- Imitation / Simulant: Materials like CZ or moissanite that look like diamonds but are not diamonds.
Approved Terminology for Lab-Grown Diamonds
Permitted Terms:
- “Laboratory-grown diamond”
- “Laboratory-created diamond”
These are the ONLY approved full terms that can be used to describe synthetic diamonds in India.
Prohibited Terms:
- “Fake”
- “Artificial”
- “Labgrown”
- “Lab-created”
- “Lab diamond”
- “LGD”
Under IS 19469:2025, the term “diamond” without any qualifier can ONLY be used to describe natural diamonds.
Treatment Disclosure Requirements
The standard mandates full disclosure of all diamond treatments(colour enhancement & clarity enhancement). This includes but is not limited to:
- High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) treatment
- Irradiation
- Laser drilling
- Fracture filling
- Coating
Industry Stakeholder Perspectives
The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) initiated this standard. Chairman Kirit Bhansali stated that the standard enhances consumer confidence in both natural and laboratory-grown diamond segments, calling it “a major step forward in ensuring India’s diamond trade continues to lead the world with integrity and transparency.”
The implementation of IS 19469:2025 marks a new era in India’s diamond industry. It is a landmark regulatory step that reshapes how diamonds are described, marketed, and taught in India.
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