Lab-Grown Diamonds Go Mainstream in India's Reshaping Jewellery Market

• India's lab-grown diamond (LGD) industry is set for a decisive phase by 2026, driven by regulatory clarity, wider consumer acceptance, and rapid retail expansion.
• New standards officially adopt 'laboratory-grown diamond,' disallowing misleading terms like "fake," enhancing consumer confidence and transparency.
• LGDs offer a significant price advantage (₹20,000-₹80,000 for 1-carat) over natural diamonds (₹70,000-₹5 lakh), making them accessible to younger buyers.
• India's LGD market is projected to grow from $450 million (2023-24) to $1.2 billion by 2030-31, fueled by sustainability, affordability, and ethical sourcing.
• Retail expansion by companies like Limelight Diamonds and the entry of large players are legitimizing LGDs, moving them from a niche to a parallel category.

Why It Matters: Lab-grown diamonds are rapidly becoming mainstream in India, driven by affordability, ethics, and market growth.