IIT-Madras recent conference examines advances in Lab-grown Diamond Research in India

The Indian Institute of Technology – Madras hosted an international conference on diamond and emergent materials earlier this month, bringing together researchers and industry participants to discuss developments in lab-grown diamond technologies and their applications.The event, titled International Conference on Diamond and Emergent Materials – Science and Technology, was held from 11 to 13 March on the institute’s campus. It was organised by the India Centre for Lab Grown Diamond (InCent-LGD), a research group supported by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

According to the organisers, around 250 participants, including researchers, scientists and industry representatives from India and abroad, attended the conference. The discussions focused on advances in diamond-based materials for use in quantum technologies, electronics, sensing and photonics, as well as their potential in energy, space and fusion-related applications.

Lab-grown diamonds, produced through controlled technological processes, have properties comparable to natural diamonds but are increasingly being studied for industrial and scientific applications. Areas such as modelling, simulation and artificial intelligence-driven monitoring of diamond growth processes were also part of the deliberations.

The Centre was announced with a government allocation of Rs 242.96 crore in the Union Budget 2023–24 to support research and development in lab-grown diamond technologies.

In India, exports of cut and polished lab-grown diamonds stood at approximately $1.3 billion in FY2023, reflecting growing demand in international markets (Source: GJEPC trade data, 2023). Industry bodies have also indicated increased investment in research and manufacturing capabilities linked to synthetic diamonds.

Separately, the government has identified lab-grown diamonds as a focus area under its broader push for advanced materials and electronics manufacturing. Policy measures, including customs duty reductions on seeds used in lab-grown diamond production announced in Union Budget 2023–24 (Source: Ministry of Finance, Government of India, Budget documents), aim to support domestic production.Researchers note that beyond jewellery, diamond materials are being explored for semiconductor applications due to their high thermal conductivity and radiation resistance, which could be relevant for high-power electronics and specialised computing systems.