The Government of the Russian Federation has adopted new regulations governing the sale and marketing of synthetic stones in jewellery, introducing stricter disclosure requirements aimed at strengthening consumer transparency and reducing the potential for misleading product descriptions.
Approved under Government Resolution No. 657 on 30 May 2026, the amendments form part of the country's updated Rules for the Sale of Goods under Retail Purchase and Sale Agreements and will come into force on 1 September 2026.
Under the new provisions, any jewellery containing synthetic inlays marketed using the name of a natural mineral must clearly identify the material as “synthetic” on product tags and labels. The abbreviation “Synthet.” will also be permitted. The requirement extends to all forms of information provided to consumers, including advertising, marketing materials and point-of-sale communications.
A key provision of the regulation is the prohibition on the use of the word “diamond” and its derivatives when referring to synthetic materials. The rules further prohibit the indication of quality and colour characteristics traditionally associated with natural diamonds. In addition, the weight of synthetic stones may only be stated in grams, with the use of carat weight not permitted.
The regulation also restricts the use of several descriptive terms in connection with synthetic stones. Words including “precious”, “real”, “genuine”, “natural”, “mined”, “mineral” and “eco-friendly”, as well as similar expressions, may not be used in information presented to consumers.
The move represents one of the most comprehensive regulatory interventions in the synthetic diamond category by a major diamond-producing nation. Russia, which remains the world's largest producer of natural diamonds by volume, has increasingly advocated for clearer differentiation between natural and laboratory-created stones within the jewellery market.
For jewellery retailers, manufacturers and marketers operating in Russia, the new requirements will necessitate revisions to product labelling, advertising materials and consumer communications ahead of the September implementation date.
The development is likely to attract close attention across the global diamond industry as debates surrounding nomenclature, disclosure standards and consumer confidence continue to shape the evolving relationship between natural and laboratory-grown diamonds.
