The US-based International Grown Diamond Association (IGDA) was established by a group of 11 synthetic diamond producers, distributors and retailers, with the primary purpose of promoting synthetic diamonds as a new option and educating consumers on the qualities and applications of such stones.
“IGDA was conceptualised because we, as an emerging industry, felt the need to collectively represent grown diamonds on a global forum, share technical facts about growing diamonds and the technology involved, so that there’s an informed knowledge about the value, beauty and eco-advantages of grown diamonds,” IGDA founding president and IIa Technologies CEO Vishal Mehta explained.
In addition to addressing the supposed stigma and consumer misconceptions surrounding synthetics, the IGDA website indicated the association planned to encourage ethical practices amongst its members, and conduct and share research on lab-grown diamonds.
“The IGDA seeks to serve as the central point of communication, education, development and growth of the industry,” an IGDA statement read. “IGDA will ensure that grown diamonds are presented in a fair and technically correct manner across geographies, commercial and consumer verticals.”
In addition to IIa Technologies, the IGDA’s founding members include Washington Diamonds, New Diamond Technology, Scio Diamond, Microwave Enterprises, Golcondia, Pure Grown Diamonds, Polished Diamond Company, Diamond Foundry, MiaDonna & Company and Chatham Created Gems & Diamonds.
US jewellery trade publication National Jeweler highlighted that Element Six Technologies, a synthetic diamond manufacturer that is majority owned by De Beers Group, was “conspicuously missing” from the member list.
As previously reported by Jeweller, Element Six sued IIa Technologies last month for infringement of its patents – an allegation that IIa Technologies denied.
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