India Opens Synthetic Diamond Detection Facility at BDB

(IDEX Online News) – The Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and Gemological Institute of India (GII) opened a Diamond Detection and Resource Centre (DDRC) at the Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) in Mumbai on Friday.

The opening of the center follows worries among members of the global diamond trade regarding the undisclosed mixing of lab-grown diamonds with natural gems. The new center aims to provide speedy detection of synthetic diamonds in parcels of non-mined diamonds.

Varda Shine, outgoing executive vice-president, De Beers global sightholder sales, inaugurated the facility.

"India is taking the next step towards growth and technology which will ensure we have the confidence of consumers in diamonds,” Shine said. “With the commencement of this detection centre, out consumers are assured of the supply chain."

Meanwhile, GJEPC Chairman Vipul Shah said: "The DDRC is part of the rapid action taken by the council and GII to resolve the anxiety felt by the trade regarding reports and certain incidences of undisclosed mixing of lab-grown diamonds into the natural diamond parcels."