IRV Introduces Mandatory Diamond Screening to Strengthen Valuation Standards

By MH

April 13, 2026

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The National Association of Jewellers’ (NAJ) Institute of Registered Valuers (IRV) has introduced updated guidance requiring all diamonds to be screened during the valuation process to determine whether they are natural or synthetic, reinforcing professional standards across the valuation sector.

The change reflects a significant shift in the diamond market, where advances in technology have made synthetic (laboratory-grown) diamonds increasingly prevalent and, in most cases, visually indistinguishable from natural stones using traditional methods.
Without appropriate screening, valuers face a growing risk of misidentification, which can lead to inaccurate valuations, client misunderstandings, and increased professional liability. By making screening a standard requirement, the IRV is ensuring its valuers can continue to deliver accurate, transparent, and defensible valuations in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

The updated guidance strengthens not only IRV members but also supports the wider valuation community by setting a clear benchmark for best practice across the profession.

For IRV members, the changes:

Reinforce professional credibility and due diligence
Reduce exposure to risk and dispute
Align with international best practice

The IRV is also engaging with insurers to ensure these enhanced standards are recognised, further reinforcing the value and credibility of IRV members in the marketplace and clearly differentiating them from non-compliant valuers.

Support for IRV members
The IRV is supporting members through the transition with updated technical guidance and ongoing professional development opportunities.
Further discussion and practical guidance will also be available at the Valuers’ Conference, taking place on 16–17 May, where members will have direct access to demonstrations of screening equipment, industry insights, and best-practice guidance.
IRV Chair, Sammantha Maclachlan, shares, “The diamond market has changed fundamentally, and our standards must reflect that reality. By introducing mandatory screening, the Institute of Registered Valuers is ensuring that our members continue to deliver accurate, transparent, and defensible valuations. This is about protecting both the valuer and the client, and about leading the profession forward. By taking this step, the IRV is actively shaping the future of valuation standards and not simply responding to it.”