Press Releases

India’s Prime Minister Modi Gifts IGI Certified Lab-Grown Diamond to US First Lady Jill Biden

The 7.5-carat, lab-grown green diamond was manufactured by a Surat-based diamond manufacturing company.

Published

2 years ago

June 27, 2023

Press Releases

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifts to the U.S. First Lady Dr. Jill Biden a lab-grown 7.5-carat green diamond in the presence of the U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House on June 22, 2023. PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy ANI/Reuters

(PRESS RELEASE) IGI GLOBAL — The International Gemological Institute (IGI), the world’s largest independent gemological laboratory, analyzed and graded a 7.50 carat lab-grown diamond gifted to the First Lady of the United States, Jill Biden, by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to the United States.

Manufactured by Surat-based grower Greenlab, Modi’s gift stands out for its exceptional quality, environmentally conscious production methods and national symbolism. Celebrating the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence, the 7.5 carat round brilliant is Type IIa, the purest category of diamond. Measuring 12.43 – 12.53 x 7.78 millimeters, it displays F color, VVS2 clarity, ideal cut quality and “Hearts & Arrows” craftsmanship; a category reserved for the world’s most precisely cut diamonds. The rough crystal was grown using earth-friendly solar and wind power, reducing carbon emissions to only 0.028 grams per carat.

According to their Ministry of Commerce, India currently produces 15% of all LGDs in the world, primarily using the Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) growth process. IGI pioneered the grading of lab grown diamonds in 2005, to ensure transparency and disclosure for a newly emerging sector. Between 2010 and 2022 market size grew from less than $1.00 to $11.30 billion USD and may reach 19.2 million carats by 2030. IGI currently grades over 90% of lab grown diamonds and grown diamond jewelry.

“The popularity of lab grown diamonds has significantly increased in the past few years and has become an attractive choice for individuals worldwide. India has been continuing to advance production and create jobs and opportunities in the market,” states Roland Lorie, CEO of IGI. “It is clear that lab grown diamonds have firmly established their place in market, and IGI is proud to be the authority on grading these remarkable and record-breaking advancements.”

In the past two months IGI has analyzed and graded several record-breaking stones, including a 50.25 carat specimen measuring 22.95 x 18.45 x 11.57 millimeters – the first lab grown diamond to surpass the significant “half-century” mark in carat weight. Named “Shiphra,” this new world record holder is a Tyle IIa emerald cut, displaying G color, VS2 clarity, and excellent cut, polish, and symmetry. Grown and submitted to IGI by Ethereal Green Diamond LLP, Shiphra has been widely hailed as a landmark achievement in the lab grown diamond sector.

For more information about the IGI and its services, visit here.

Ready to Relocate? Wilkerson Makes Your Move Seamless

When Brockhaus Jewelry decided to leave their longtime West Main Street storefront for a standalone building elsewhere in Norman, Oklahoma, owners John Brockhaus and Brad Shipman faced a familiar challenge: how to efficiently reduce inventory before the big move. Their solution? Partnering with liquidation specialists Wilkerson for a second time. "We'd already experienced Wilkerson's professionalism during a previous sale," Shipman recalls. "But their approach to our relocation event truly impressed us. They strategically prioritized our existing pieces while tactfully introducing complementary merchandise as inventory levels decreased." The carefully orchestrated sale didn't just meet targets—it shattered them. Asked if they'd endorse Wilkerson to industry colleagues planning similar transitions—whether relocating, retiring, or refreshing their space—both partners were emphatic in their approval. "The entire process was remarkably straightforward," Shipman notes. "Wilkerson delivered a well-structured program, paired us with a knowledgeable advisor, and managed every detail flawlessly from concept to completion."