Vicenzaoro Highlights, September 2026: Synthetic Diamonds, Greater Clarity for Consumers
Today, at the CIBJO Centenary Congress, the debate over synthetic diamond nomenclature takes center stage. The Diamond Commission is proposing a single definition: “synthetic diamond”
Consumer confidence begins with language. This is the central message of the report presented by the CIBJO Diamond Commission, chaired by Udi Sheintal, which is the focus of one of today’s most anticipated discussions during the CIBJO Centenary Congress in Vicenza. The document proposes a revision of the Diamond Blue Book, arguing that synthetic diamonds should be identified solely as “synthetic diamonds,” without the alternative terms “laboratory-grown” or “laboratory-created.” According to Sheintal, CIBJO’s mission has always been to ensure terminology that is “scientifically accurate, internationally consistent and free from commercial ambiguity.” The Commission believes that industry language should reflect today’s manufacturing reality. “Synthetic diamonds are not grown in a laboratory but manufactured through controlled industrial processes,” the report states. Using different terminology, it argues, may influence consumer perception rather than provide objective information. Another key issue concerns the use of the 4Cs grading system. The Commission maintains that the 4Cs were developed to communicate the rarity of natural diamonds and that applying the same system to synthetic products may be misleading. “When the 4Cs grading scale is used by the synthetic diamond industry, the consumer is led to believe that synthetic diamonds are rare like natural diamonds,” Sheintal notes. The proposal is therefore to develop a quality-control nomenclature specifically designed for manufactured products. The report also emphasizes the principle of “semantic integrity.” Terminology, Sheintal writes, should communicate the true scientific identity and origin of a gemstone. The role of standards is not to influence consumer preference, but to ensure transparency and informed decision-making. Alongside this discussion, Diamond Commission Vice President Jean-Pierre Chalain will present a revised definition of the term “cut” in the Diamond Blue Book. The updated wording aims to distinguish more clearly between a diamond’s shape and its cutting style, further improving clarity and consumer understanding.
