CIBJO to Replace ‘Lab-Grown’ with ‘Synthetic’ in New Terminology Update
The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) has announced plans to replace the terms "laboratory grown" and "laboratory created" with "synthetic" in its Blue Book terminology standards. The proposal is expected to be formally adopted during the organisation's annual congress on 4 September.
The decision follows a year-long review of industry terminology, with CIBJO concluding that the existing terms do not accurately describe these products and may create confusion for consumers. The updated terminology is intended to provide greater clarity and promote more transparent communication across the jewellery industry.
Under the revised guidelines, effective from September 2026, the term "synthetic" will be used to describe artificial gemstones that possess essentially the same chemical composition, physical properties and crystal structure as their natural counterparts.
Charles Abouchar, President of CIBJO's Coloured Stone Commission, said the objective is to strengthen consumer confidence by ensuring the industry uses language that is clear, consistent and accurately reflects the nature of the products being sold.
CIBJO's announcement aligns with a wider industry shift towards standardised terminology. In recent months, Russia introduced regulations requiring lab-grown diamonds in jewellery to be identified as "synthetic", while the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) adopted a similar position. Earlier this year, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) also issued guidelines to distinguish synthetic and natural diamonds, following updates made by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in 2025.
The move reflects a broader effort across the global jewellery sector to establish consistent terminology and improve transparency for consumers.
