BIS launches grading & polishing standards

The Indian gem and jewellery industry has a new set of standards for diamond grading and polishing, as established by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), India’s supreme authority of “National Standards”. BIS, over five years of research studies, has established the Indian standards.

In the national and international market, there are set norms followed within certain parameters for grading of diamonds, based on the 4 C’s – Clarity, Colour, Cut and Carat weight. BIS has established the standards in line with international norms, so that the diamonds certified against these Indian standards are accepted globally. The following two Indian Standards on grading of polished diamond have now been published: IS 15766 (Part 1) : 2007 Grading of Polished Diamonds – Part 1 Classification IS 15766 (Part 2) : 2007 Grading of Polished Diamonds – Part 2 Test Methods. These shall only be used for natural, unmounted, polished diamonds and not for synthetic diamonds, treatments diamonds or assembled stones.

Chandrakant Sanghavi, Chairman of Indian Diamond Institute and Convener, Diamond Panel, Gujarat region of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council, released the standards to the industry at a function in Surat, the diamond city of India. Mr. P. Sen Gupta, Deputy Director General, BIS (Western Region) in his inaugural address stated that “There were no formal standards adopted by Indian Diamond industry to grade diamonds. This is for the 1st time BIS has established Indian standards for diamonds. This will benefit the end users immensely through quality assurance of diamonds.

Dr. (Smt.) Bhatla, Head (MTD), BIS New Delhi said “BIS standards are the bench mark for the quality of the product supplied by India. BIS mark will ensure the credibility and help in quality control”. K.K. Sharma, Director of Indian Diamond Institute, Surat said that “By publishing these Indian Standards, India has taken a lead as such standards have not been published by any other country as on date”. But the formulation is not an end in itself. Standards need to be implemented and BIS on its part is making efforts through various implementation programmes”.