The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has updated its Jewelry Guides to address the growing market for synthetic (lab-grown) diamonds. The FTC requires clear disclosure when a diamond is not mined but is instead created in a laboratory.
FTC Disclosure Requirements
The FTC requires that synthetic diamonds be clearly identified as such. Acceptable terms include: "laboratory-grown," "laboratory-created," "[manufacturer name]-created," or "synthetic." The term "cultured" is acceptable if accompanied by a clear disclosure that the diamond is not mined. The FTC has stated that the term "diamond" alone is not sufficient to describe a synthetic diamond.
Prohibited Terms
The FTC prohibits the use of terms that misrepresent the nature of a synthetic diamond. Prohibited terms include: "real diamond" (when referring to a synthetic diamond); "genuine diamond" (when referring to a synthetic diamond); and any term that implies the diamond was mined when it was not.
Industry Standards
The International Diamond Council (IDC) and the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) have also issued guidelines on synthetic diamond disclosure. These guidelines generally align with FTC requirements and require clear, prominent disclosure of synthetic origin at all points of sale.