Press Release: WFDB President Ernie Blom says Bharat Diamond Bourse Fully Entitled to Ban Trading in Synthetic/ Laboratory-Created Diamonds

(Press Release) – World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) President Ernie Blom said, in response to the decision of the Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) on Thursday to ban the trading of synthetic/laboratory-created diamonds that each WFDB-affiliated exchange is within its rights to decide on its policy on the issue. Blom also clarified that the WFDB is not opposed to the trade in such stones as long as they are fully disclosed.

"Each of our member bourses, of course, has full decision-making power regarding which types of diamonds can be bought and sold within their premises as long as the decisions are made in line with the WFDB's regulations," Blom commented. "I would reiterate that we are not opposed to trading in synthetic/laboratory-created diamonds and accept that there could be a market for them. We only insist that such stones are fully disclosed so that the trade and consumers know exactly what they are being offered. This is critical in ensuring consumer confidence.

"As the Bharat Diamond Bourse said in its media statement following the vote in favor of banning synthetic/laboratory-grown diamonds, its decision aims to ensure the growth of the natural diamond trade, strengthen consumer confidence and reassure faith and trust in diamonds. These are aims that the WFDB fully supports."

The BDB statement said that at its 31^st Annual General Meeting held on September 28, "a resolution was proposed to declare that no person/organisation shall promote or trade or carry synthetic diamonds / lab grown diamonds/man-made diamonds within the premises of Bharat Diamond Bourse and only 'Natural Diamonds' will be traded in the premises of the Bharat Diamond Bourse. The resolution was placed before members at the Annual General Meeting and was approved by an overwhelming majority of the members and was passed in its entirety."

Last year, the Israel Diamond Exchange announced it was banning trading in synthetic diamonds on its trading floor.