The Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and Gemelogical Institute of India (GII) on Friday inaugurated the Diamond Detection and Resource Centre (DDRC) at Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) in Mumbai.

The centre has been opened amid serious concerns over undisclosed mixing of lab-grown diamonds with natural gems. The facility will enable fast detection of synthetic diamonds in the natural diamond parcels.

DDRC will also provide information about man-made diamonds, equipments for detection and training for operating the equipment. The centre was inaugurated by the outgoing head of De Beers' rough diamond sales arm Diamond Trading Company (DTC) on Friday.

The reputation of Indian diamond industry is at stake globally following the influx of thousands of carats of synthetic lab-grown diamonds mixed with the natural diamonds. Recently, huge quantities of man-made diamonds were detected from the natural diamond parcels of two leading diamond companies last month.

"The DDRC is part of the rapid action taken by the council and GII to solve the anxiety felt by the trade regarding reports and certain incidences of undisclosed mixing of lab-grown diamonds into the natural diamond parcels," GJEPC chairman Vipul Shah said.

Executive vice-president, De Beers global sightholder sales, Varda Shine said, "India is taking the next step towards growth and technology which will ensure we have the confidence of consumers in diamonds. With the commencement of this detection centre, out consumers are assured of the supply chain."

Diamond analyst Aniruddha Lidbide told TOI, "There is a need to educate the industry people in Surat and Mumbai to stay away from indulging in illegal activities. They need detection centres in the diamond markets in Surat"