Consumers will soon be more aware of lab-grown diamonds as an alternative to their natural counterparts, thanks to the newly formed International Grown Diamond Association (IGDA).
More than 10 grown diamond producers, distributors, and retailers have united to launch the group, which aims to represent the lab-grown diamond industry, promote man-made diamonds as a new choice in diamonds, and educate consumers about their various unique qualities and applications.
“With IGDA, the grown diamond industry can effectively take the collective steps to present itself to consumers who wish to have a genuine choice in diamonds, commercial sectors who require high quality, but a consistent supply to develop diamond-based applications, and the larger diamond processing industry in general,” said patron member and secretary general, Richard Garard, who is also CEO of Microwave Enterprises.
Founded in the United States, IGDA will serve as the industry’s central point of communication, education, development, and growth. The association says it will ensure grown diamonds are presented in a fair and technically correct manner across geographies, commercial, and consumer verticals.
“IGDA was conceptualized because we, as an emerging industry, felt the need to collectively represent grown diamonds on a global forum, share technical facts about growing diamonds, and the technology involved, so there’s an informed knowledge about the ‘value,’ ‘beauty,’ and ‘eco-advantages’ of grown diamonds,” said patron member and founding president, Vishal Mehta, who is also CEO of IIa Technologies.
Other IGDA founding members include:
• Washington Diamonds;
• New Diamond Technology;
• Scio Diamond;
• Golcondia;
• Pure Grown Diamonds;
• Polished Diamond Co.;
• Diamond Foundry;
• MiaDonna & Co.; and
• Chatham Created Gems & Diamonds.
