The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) has just announced the publication of ISO Standard 18323. This new document specifies a set of permitted descriptors for use in the diamond industry that have been specifically designed to be understood by consumers.
According to the document, a diamond is “created by nature.” Anything else is a synthetic diamond, which is defined as “an artificial product that has essentially the same chemical composition, crystal structure and physical (including optical) properties as a diamond.” Furthermore, any “[diamonds] having undergone any human intervention other than cutting, polishing, cleaning and setting, to permanently or non-permanently change [their] appearance” are considered to be treated diamonds.
“This a development of the utmost importance, not only for us in the industry, but first and foremost for jewellery consumers, who are now better protected through international conventions than they previously were,” says Gaetano Cavalieri, president of CIBJO. The process to obtain this new ISO standard began seven years ago in Europe, with CIBJO serving as the lead organization in a coalition that also included De Beers, Rio Tinto, BHP and the International Diamond Council. CJ
Author: Canadian Jeweller Magazine Staff
Canadian Jeweller Magazine Staff is the shared byline for reporting filed by the magazine's editorial desk. Founded in 1879, Canadian Jeweller is the longest running jewellery business publication in Canada, covering market reporting, retail strategy, watches, diamonds, coloured gemstones and the commerce of the Canadian jewellery trade. Work published under this byline is edited and verified by the Canadian Jeweller editorial team in Toronto.
