Antwerp: HRD Antwerp, the Antwerp-based diamond laboratory and subsidiary of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), has announced that it will cease certifying synthetic diamonds. With this decision, HRD becomes the first and only diamond lab in the world to focus exclusively on natural diamonds. The move reaffirms Antwerp’s role as the international hub for natural diamond trading and marks a concrete step toward strengthening consumer trust by clearly distinguishing between natural and synthetic diamonds. Certificates will still be issued for jewellery containing synthetic stones.
Founded in 1973, HRD Antwerp has issued certificates verifying the authenticity and quality of diamonds for over 50 years. Now, HRD becomes the first lab to make a firm commitment to natural diamonds and will no longer certify synthetic diamonds. “As of 2026, we will no longer issue quality certificates for loose synthetic diamonds intended for commercial use,” says Ellen Joncheere, CEO of HRD Antwerp. “In limited cases, we will continue to analyze synthetic diamonds, but strictly for research purposes. Jewellery containing synthetic stones will still be eligible for certification.”
According to Karen Rentmeesters, CEO of parent company AWDC, this is a historic decision. “By becoming the first diamond lab in the world to take an explicit and exclusive stance in favour of natural diamonds, HRD Antwerp is sending a strong signal. A clear distinction between natural and synthetic diamonds is essential to strengthen consumer trust and help safeguard the future of natural diamonds.”
The popularity of synthetic diamonds has surged in recent years. For consumers, the difference between natural and synthetic is often unclear, leading to confusion and uncertainty. With its decision to stop issuing certificates for synthetic diamonds, HRD Antwerp is re-establishing clarity and reinforcing Antwerp’s position as the leading center for natural diamond trade.
The decision to stop issuing certificates for loose synthetic diamonds was announced by AWDC Vice President Ravi Bhansali during a high-level meeting in Angola on June 18, where international diamond stakeholders gathered to discuss the importance of global generic marketing for natural diamonds.
