Photo courtesy GJEPC
A laboratory-grown diamond weighing 7.5 carats has been gifted by India to United States First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden.
The round, brilliant, Type IIa diamond was presented at the White House by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to the U.S. The stone, which honours the 75th anniversary of India’s independence, displays F colour, VVS2 clarity, and ideal cut quality, according to the International Gemological Institute (IGI), which analyzed and graded the diamond. It was manufactured by Surat-based company Greenlab.
“This remarkable gesture not only signifies the deep bond between our nations, but also highlights the exemplary advancements made by India in the lab-grown diamond sector,” says Vipul Shah, chair of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).
“This symbolic gesture signifies the growing popularity of laboratory-grown diamonds in India, the U.S., and the entire world,” he adds.
According to India’s Ministry of Commerce, the country currently produces 15 per cent of all laboratory-grown diamonds in the world, with the majority made using the chemical vapour deposition (CVD) growth process.
Between 2010 and 2022, market size grew from less than one American dollar to USD$11.3 billion and may reach 19.2 million carats by 2030, reports IGI.
“The popularity of lab-grown diamonds has significantly increased in the past few years and has become an attractive choice for individuals worldwide,” says the institute’s CEO, Roland Lorie. “India has been continuing to advance production and create jobs and opportunities in the market.”
