AWDC Warning on Lab Growns: "Don't Be Duped"
March 11, 26
(IDEX Online) - Passengers at Antwerp's central train station were yesterday (10 March) offered free scans to determine if their diamond jewelry was natural or lab grown.
The event, by AWDC (Antwerp World Diamond Centre) was designed to warn consumers they could be duped by jewelers who fail to explain the difference, despite legislation requiring them to disclose whether a stone is natural or lab grown.
Karen Rentmeesters, CEO at AWDC, said: "A natural diamond worth $8,900 will have a synthetic alternative worth about $1,000. Anyone who does not know the difference therefore risks buying a jewel with synthetic diamonds while paying the price of a natural diamond jewel."
Jewelers in Belgium have, since May 2023, been legally required to provide customers with documentation detailing the characteristics of the diamonds they sell, including the weight and the nature of the stone (natural or synthetic).
"But in practice we see that this obligation is often not respected," said Rentmeesters. "As a result, consumers remain vulnerable and their lack of knowledge can be exploited."
Meanwhile, Belgium's minister of employment and economy, David Clarinval, is calling for greater transparency and for a possible move allowing only natural diamonds to be described as diamonds.
He said: "Synthetic diamonds are almost impossible to distinguish from natural diamonds with the naked eye and must therefore be clearly presented as such.
"I want to examine whether the term 'diamond' can be reserved exclusively for natural diamonds. Synthetic diamonds would then be marketed only under the label 'synthetic'.
"This is a matter of transparency for consumers and fairness towards our diamond sector."
Pic courtesy AWDC shows passengers being offered free scans of their diamond jewelry.