In a pair of statements issued last week, major diamond industry organizations reiterated their strong condemnation of companies and individuals who attempt to sell synthetic stones as natural.

“It is a mandatory requirement that any member dealing with man made diamonds should follow the code of 3 Ds: disclosure, differentiation, and identification,” said Rajiv Jain, chairman of India’s Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, in a statement. “As you may be well aware, the Council has always maintained a zero tolerance level on any such malpractices … We believe that our members are fully aware of their responsibility to protect the integrity of the diamond trade.”

World Federation of Diamond Bourses president Avi Paz also noted that his group could take disciplinary action against any member found to misrepresent stones.

“The world diamond bourses have established clear rules regarding the trading in misrepresented or undisclosed products, whether inadvertently or not,” Paz said in a statement. “Any violation of these rules are referred to the Bourse for disciplinary action and can be grounds for suspension, expulsion, fine, or other appropriate disciplinary measure.”

DMIA president Ronald Friedman warned industry leaders must not just pay “lip service” to this issue and must criminally prosecute those who break the rules.

In a statement, his group called upon “domestic and international organizations, grading laboratories, governments, and law enforcement to join together in a serious and committed effort to prevent the leakage of synthetic/laboratory grown diamonds that have recently been passed into the supply chain by those who have clearly attempted to defraud and deceive.”

JCK