France and Botswana have signed the Paris Declaration, a joint agreement in support of natural stones, with both agreeing to use the term “diamond” only in reference to the mined product.
At the November 10 meeting at the Paris Peace Forum, Botswana’s minister of minerals and energy, Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, and Nicolas Forissier, minister delegate for foreign trade and economic attractiveness of France, agreed on “the need for clear, accurate and consistent terminology that strengthens consumer trust, with the term ‘diamond’ referring specifically to a natural diamond,” according to a statement The Diamond Collective, formerly the Natural Diamond Council (NDC), released.
This is not the first time either country has referred to diamond terminology. In 2024, France ruled that all lab-grown diamonds be described as “synthetic,” then further denied an appeal against that label a year later. Meanwhile, in his November 9 State of the Nation address Botawana President Duma Boko observed he preferred “diamond” as a descriptor only for natural stones, while he believed “synthetic” should replace “lab-grown.”
Other governments and industry groups have also addressed the terminology issue. Most recently, the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) decided to recommend “synthetic” as the sole descriptor for non-mined diamonds. Meanwhile, Russia made the same move in June and the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) approved restrictions for lab-grown descriptors and weights as a means of protecting the integrity of natural diamonds. In September, the London Diamond Bourse (LDB) recommended that its members across the UK use the term “synthetic diamond” to describe lab-grown stones.
In the declaration, Botswana and France discussed the importance of responsible, transparent and reliable sourcing, standards for workers’ rights, working conditions, health and safety, and respect for local communities. The parties noted their intention to establish a joint working group, bringing together the signatory states and representatives of the private sector, to monitor the implementation of the declaration and publish an annual progress report.
France and Botswana also invited other states to join their efforts, and called on public and private stakeholders, including producers, investors and other value-chain actors, to contribute to the initiative, The Diamond Collective said.
“We are delighted with this declaration,” said Amber Pepper, CEO of The Diamond Collective. “It is a reminder that the value of a natural diamond extends far beyond its beauty, supporting livelihoods, communities and economies in producing countries around the world.”
Image: The signing of the Paris Declaration. (The Diamond Collective)
