India eyes bigger share of lab-grown diamond mkt
JAIPUR: India is taking a shot at the global diamond trade with its lab-grown variety, whose exports were estimated at around $1.5 billion in 2022-23. Fuelling its expectations is US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recognising it as 'cultured', instead of artificial or synthetic. On the eve of the G20 ministerial meeting here, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said lab-grown diamonds are made through natural elements and the recognition by US FTC will further enhance their acceptance globally and benefit Indian entities. "It is a huge thumbs up for the Indian industry." The government had sought to provide an impetus to lab-grown diamonds in this year's budget and provided for a grant of Rs 242 crore to IIT-Madras to establish an India Centre for Lab-Grown Diamond. These diamonds...