Surat's Diamond Industry Confronts New Synthetic Stone Fraud
Surat, renowned globally as the Diamond City and a premier center for both natural diamond processing and lab-grown diamond (LGD) production, is now ambitiously striving to emerge as a leading hub for lab-grown diamond jewellery manufacturing. However, this growth trajectory is being undermined by a disturbing new trend in the market.
Moissanite Misrepresentation: A Growing Concern
While the industry has previously grappled with allegations of lab-grown diamonds being misrepresented as natural diamonds, a more insidious practice is now coming to light. Jewellery pieces advertised as containing lab-grown diamonds are increasingly being found to incorporate moissanite, a much cheaper synthetic stone. This fraudulent substitution poses significant risks to both consumers and the integrity of Surat's diamond trade.
The Indian Diamond Institute (IDI) in Surat, an institution supported by the Union Ministry of Commerce, has been at the forefront of detecting this malpractice. Their gemmological laboratory regularly tests jewellery pieces, and the findings are alarming.
Weekly Detections and Expert Warnings
Samir Joshi, Director of IDI, revealed, "Every single week, our laboratory identifies at least one piece of LGD jewellery where moissanite has been deceitfully used instead. Given that moissanite is substantially less expensive than lab-grown diamonds, this practice is not only unethical but dangerously deceptive for buyers."
Experts emphasize that moissanite is fundamentally not a diamond and should never be marketed as one. Joshi further explained, "We have observed that some laboratories are issuing certificates for moissanite in a manner identical to those for LGDs and natural diamonds, detailing colour and clarity grades. This is a blatantly misleading tactic that confuses consumers and erodes trust in certification processes."
Understanding the Differences
It is crucial to recognize the distinct properties of these materials:
- Moissanite is a factory-produced synthetic stone with physical and optical characteristics that do not align with those of lab-grown diamonds.
- Lab-Grown Diamonds, in contrast, possess optical and physical properties that are virtually identical to natural diamonds, as they are chemically and structurally the same, just created in controlled environments.
Additionally, moissanite is typically sold based on its size measured in millimetres, whereas diamonds, both natural and lab-grown, are traded using carat weight parameters. Some unscrupulous businesses exploit this by obtaining colour and clarity certifications for moissanite to mimic diamond qualities, further misleading customers.
Industry Calls for Vigilance and Transparency
Amit Korat, President of the Surat Jewellery Manufacturers Association (SJMA), stressed the importance of stringent quality controls. "In reputable jewellery manufacturing units, rigorous quality assurance is paramount. Standard practices include thorough testing and certification at every production stage, which effectively prevents dishonest activities like substituting moissanite in LGD jewellery. If any entity is engaging in such fraudulent practices, it must be exposed and addressed to protect the industry's reputation."
As Surat continues to expand its footprint in the global diamond and jewellery sectors, combating such fraudulent practices is essential to maintaining consumer confidence and upholding the city's esteemed status in the international gem and jewellery market.
