Vairam 2025 held by GJEPC & IIT Madras!

InCent-LGD to develop MPCVD, HPHT equipment 

Update 2: The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and InCent-LGD - IIT Madras, with the support of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, organized “Vajra Industry Research and Academic Meet” (Vairam 2025) on 10th February at IITM Research Park, Chennai. 

This event was first of its kind in the lab-grown diamond (LGD) sector, bringing together industry thought leaders, researchers, and government officials to explore the potential and future advancements in lab-grown diamonds. The meeting underscored India's commitment to developing indigenously designed CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) and HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) systems for lab-grown diamond production. 

Vairam 2025 was supported by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), with the International Gemological Institute (IGI) as the Associate Partner and Economic Law Practice (ELP) as the Co-Partner. 

The inaugural session witnessed the presence of eminent dignitaries, including Prof. V Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras; Prof. M S Ramachandra Rao, InCent-LGD, IIT Madras; Manish Jiwani, Co-Convener – LGD Committee, GJEPC; and Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC, along with several industry experts.

With a mission to establish India as a global hub for lab-grown diamond technology, the Government of India allocated a grant of Rs. 242.96 crore during the Union Budget 2023 to IIT Madras for research and development over a five-year period.  

As a result, IIT Madras set up the India Centre for Lab-Grown Diamond (InCent-LGD), a national center aimed at creating state-of-the-art facilities for lab-grown diamond technologies. The center focuses on developing and optimizing diamond growth processes using indigenously designed CVD and HPHT systems, reinforcing India's position as a leader in lab-grown diamond technology.  

R. Arulanandan, Director, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India said, “India’s strength in the diamond industry is like a diamond itself – resilient, adaptable and ever evolving. With over 50% of the global value chain rooted in India, our focus must now be on data, innovation and policy to drive this sector forward. The future of diamonds – both natural and lab-grown – is India’s to shape.”  

Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC said, "We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Government of India for its continued support to the lab-grown diamond (LGD) industry. With initiatives like the Rs. 242.96 crore grant to IIT Madras and the extension of customs duty exemptions on seeds used in the manufacture of lab-grown diamonds, the government's vision is clear – India is poised to be a global leader in the LGD sector. GJEPC is proud to partner in this transformative journey and looks forward to driving innovation, export growth, and employment opportunities within this thriving industry."  

Prof. M S Ramachandra Rao, InCent-LGD, IIT Madras said, "InCent-LGD is on track to revolutionize the lab-grown diamond industry with the development of indigenous MPCVD and HPHT machines within next 2 years. This innovation will significantly reduce India’s reliance on imports, positioning the country as a global leader in the production of high-quality lab-grown diamonds. Our commitment to advancing technology and fostering industry collaboration will ensure that India not only meets the rising demand but leads the way in diamond innovation."

Manish Jiwani, Co-Convener, LGD Committee, GJEPC, praised the brilliance of IIT Madras and its work through the India Centre for Lab-Grown Diamond (InCent-LGD). He emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between the industry and research institutions, ensuring that advancements align with industry requirements. He also highlighted the importance of conducting a global study to frame policies that would drive growth and productivity in the sector. Noticing that India still imports 70% of the lab-grown diamond rough required for production, he expressed confidence that the technology being developed by IIT Madras will help drive the country towards Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in LGD production."  

Sabyasachi Ray, ED, GJEPC said, "India stands at a unique advantage in the lab-grown diamond industry. With the entire value chain—from production to finished jewellery—happening domestically, India is positioned to become the largest producer of rough LGDs and the hub for cutting, polishing, and global trade. This not only strengthens our global position in the gem and jewellery sector but also opens doors to contribute to diverse industrial applications, making India the future epicenter of LGD technology and innovation."  

Following the inaugural session, Prof. M S Ramachandra Rao provided an in-depth introduction to InCent-LGD, highlighting its objectives and research initiatives. This was followed by a presentation by Nishant Shah, Partner at Economic Law Practice (ELP), offering insights into the regulatory and commercial landscape of the LGD industry.  

The event featured four panel discussions covering critical aspects of the LGD industry. The first panel discussion, Beyond Gems: Next-Generation Applications of Lab-Grown Diamonds delved into the expanding role of LGDs beyond jewellery.  

Experts highlighted the immense potential of LGDs in sectors like electronics, aerospace, defence, water treatment, and advanced manufacturing, because of their hardness, thermal conductivity, and chemical stability. The discussions underscored applications in high-performance cutting tools, thermal management systems, quantum computing, and precision sensors.  

The second panel discussion, titled "Lab-Grown Diamond Growth and Treatment: Recipes and Challenges (CVD & HPHT Methods)," focused on the complexities of LGD production techniques and the challenges associated with them. Experts delved into the intricacies of CVD and HPHT methods, emphasizing the need for optimizing growth parameters, controlling impurities, and enhancing treatment techniques to produce superior-quality diamonds. 

The discussion highlighted how processes like diamond coloration, achieved through irradiation or doping, rely on trial and error depending on material purity. It also explored the importance of qualifying diamond seeds for specific applications through rigorous scientific analysis.  

The third panel discussion, "Diamond Quality Checks and Certification (Gem, Jewellery, and Seeds)," addressed the evolving challenges in grading, certification, and quality assurance for lab-grown diamonds (LGDs). Experts highlighted the complexities of ensuring accuracy and consistency in grading. The need for industry-wide standardization and advanced testing methodologies was emphasized to detect undisclosed synthetics and ensure reliable certification.  

The discussion also shed light on specific challenges unique to LGDs, such as developing secondary reference masters for colour grading, addressing metallic inclusions that affect clarity, and incorporating saturation and hue intensity into grading frameworks. Traceability emerged as a critical issue, underscoring the importance of robust quality assurance systems to build consumer trust.  

The final panel discussion, "Lab-Grown Diamond Machines and Processing Equipment (CVD, HPHT, Laser Cutting and Polishing, Analytical Instruments)," highlighted the technological advancements shaping the LGD industry.  

It covered the development of machinery for CVD and HPHT growth, as well as laser cutting, polishing, and analytical tools. The panel emphasized the challenges of creating high-precision, cost-effective, and scalable equipment for mass production, underscoring the importance of indigenous manufacturing to reduce dependency on imports.  

Vairam 2025 reaffirmed India's commitment to becoming a global leader in lab-grown diamond technology by fostering indigenous research and development. With initiatives like InCent-LGD at IIT Madras, India is poised to revolutionize the lab-grown diamond sector, enhancing its competitiveness in both domestic and international markets.