Mumbai—The diamond industry is watching closely as Amit Pratihari, former managing director of De Beers India, has officially taken over as managing director of GIA India. His appointment signals more than a leadership change—it could reshape the balance of power in India’s gem and jewelry sector, especially in the ongoing clash between natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds.
In his new role, Pratihari will oversee GIA’s gem laboratories in Mumbai and Surat, as well as the GIA India School in Mumbai, reporting directly to the GIA India board. The move comes at a critical moment: India dominates global diamond cutting and polishing, while tensions over diamond grading standards, origin traceability, and consumer trust continue to heat up.
Pratihari succeeds Sriram Natarajan, who led GIA India for five years before being promoted to GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations in Carlsbad, Calif. The transition puts Pratihari at the center of India’s most pressing diamond industry questions: How can grading labs maintain neutrality in a market where lab-grown supply is rising, and where price volatility is eroding trust in natural stones?
Industry insiders note that Pratihari’s 14-year tenure at De Beers Group—where he served as managing director of De Beers India and Forevermark India, and expanded the brand into the Middle East—gives him unique insight into both the challenges and opportunities facing India’s diamond pipeline. Yet this very history sparks debate: can a former De Beers executive truly bring impartiality to GIA, an institution that defines global grading standards?
The appointment underscores the ongoing power struggle over consumer confidence in diamonds. With lab-grown diamonds gaining ground among Gen Z for their affordability and sustainability, and natural diamond miners fighting to protect their premium pricing, GIA India under Pratihari’s leadership will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of both markets.
One thing is certain: this is not just a personnel change—it’s a frontline shift in the battle for the future of diamonds in India.
The future of the diamond industry hinges on who controls trust. Will Pratihari’s GIA India bring balance—or tilt the scales toward one side? Join the conversation with AIDI and explore more insights on the evolution of lab-grown and natural diamonds.