Lab Growns: France Rejects Call to Drop "Synthetic" Label
July 06, 25
(IDEX Online) - The French government is standing by its legal requirement that lab grown diamonds carry a "synthetic" label.
Its finance ministry rejected a renewed call, presented by member of parliament Olivia Gregoire (pictured) on behalf of the lab grown lobby.
Gregoire, minister delegate for small and medium-sized enterprises, trade, crafts, and tourism, sought a review of the mandatory label "synthetic diamond," arguing that the term might unfairly stigmatize lab grown diamonds.
The ministry responded last week, saying it stands by a policy that has been in place since January 2002, designed to prevent consumer confusion and to ensure transparency in the diamond market.
The decision was welcomed by the natural diamond lobby as a victory. The lab grown sector expressed disappointment but acknowledged that the ruling provides regulatory clarity.
Under French law, lab grown diamonds can only be referred to as "diamant de synthese" or "synthetique" - "synthetic diamond" or "synthetic".
The terms "diamant de laboratoire" and "diamant de culture" - "laboratory diamond" and "cultivated diamond" - are banned.
The rule on synthetics was also challenged, unsuccessfully, in October 2023. French retailers must designate as "synthetic" any stones that were entirely or partly man-made.
The term "laboratory diamond" can only be used for sales and advertising outside France.