CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, which had previously only approved the use of the word "synthetic" in reference to diamonds created in a lab, has now expanded the number of terms it deems acceptable to use in reference to the stones, according to www.nationaljewelernetwork.com.
That decision was one of several noted in a CIBJO press release issued Monday that provided a roundup of what happened at the organization's 2010 Congress, which just ended in Munich, Germany.
"In the best interest of consumer protection and industry harmonization, CIBJO accepts the terms 'laboratory-grown' diamond, 'laboratory-created' diamond and 'synthetic' diamond to describe non-natural diamonds," said a resolution presented by CIBJO's Diamond Commission and approved by the board of directors. "CIBJO recognizes that its standards are subject to government regulations in the respective jurisdiction of CIBJO members. In the event that [a] national jewelry association, which is a member of CIBJO, deems that there is no acceptable local direct translation of the English terms 'laboratory-grown' or 'laboratory-created' then only the term 'synthetic' should be used."
Previously, CIBJO only recognized the term "synthetic" to describe lab-grown diamonds. The decision to broaden its definition of acceptable terminology brings the international organization in line with the position adopted earlier by other major industry groups regarding lab-grown diamonds.
CIBJO's decision on lab-grown diamonds was just one of many that came about at the organization's 2010 Congress, which wrapped up today in Munich, Germany.
According to the release, the 2010 Congress CIBJO also did the following:
Released its new Gemmology Laboratory Blue Book, a guide for the management and technical operations of gemological laboratories. The guide is intended to suggest best practices and general requirements for grading labs worldwide and joins CIBJO's other Blue Books on diamonds, colored stones, pearls and precious metals.
Approved a set of "modification codes" to be used internally only by members of the trade to describe colored gemstone treatments on a national and international level. The codes were developed in coordination with International Colored Gemstone Association and the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) and are based on a set of codes originally developed by the AGTA. This means there is now a single coding system to be used and understood by members of the global colored gemstone trade. The codes are not intended for describing treatments to consumers, however consumers should be provided a full explanation of treatments as described in the CIBJO Coloured Gemstone Blue Book.
Released a new appendix to the CIBJO Precious Metals Blue Book that provides information on precious metal fitness standards around the world.
Released Diamonds, Gemstones, Pearls and Precious Metals: A Consumer Guide.
In addition, at the conclusion of the Congress, CIBJO released a statement strongly endorsing the Kimberley Process and the World Diamond Council's System of Warranties, both of which are designed to stem the flow of "blood" or "conflict" diamonds into the trade. According to the release, the statement indicated that CIBJO expects full and timely implementation of stringent controls over the troubled Marange region of Zimbabwe, an area now under the Kimberley Process microscope due to reported widespread human rights abuses.
The 2010 CIBJO Congress was hosted by Messe München International and the Inhorgenta Europe 2010 trade show.
