7.5-carat lab-grown diamond that PM Narendra Modi gifted to US first lady was crafted in Surat

SURAT: When Prime Minister Narendra Modigifted a 7.5-carat lab-grown diamond (LGD) to US first lady Jill Biden, it brought a big smile on the faces of lakhs of people in Surat as the gem was grown by a city-based diamond manufacturer.
The quality of the LGD gifted to Jill Biden matches the purest form of natural diamond. Notably, it was manufactured using green energy.
The move by PM Modi is considered to be a major boost to the LGD industry since the US is the biggest market for the Indian gem and jewellery sector.The gem and jewellery industry is passing through a challenging phase due to drop in demand across the globe.
The Diamond City polishes nine out of 11 natural diamonds polished globally. Now it is emerging as a major LGD manufacturing hub.
"It is a major boost to promote the gem and jewellery sector in the US which is the biggest market for India in this segment. Gifting a diamond is bringing the gem and jewellery sector into the limelight," Vipul Shah, chairman, Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) told TOI.
"We are thankful to PM Modi for the push and it will promote the entire sector," Shah added.
"This diamond has type 2A matching quality, which is the purest form in natural diamond like Kohinoor. It has been grown using green energy like solar and wind power," said Smit Patel, convener of LGD committee, GJEPC.
"The diamond has visual optical properties like natural diamond and is grown using CVD technology. It took around a month to grow and then polished by the best artisans," added Patel.
"It is a matter of pride for the Diamond City since the lab-grown diamond is manufactured here. This will promote the overall gem and jewellery sector," said Vijay Mangukiya, regional chairman, GJEPC.