Overview

• The 7.5-carat lab-grown diamond, valued at $20,000, was gifted to Jill Biden by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his state visit to the U.S. in 2023.
• The diamond was described as eco-friendly and presented in a handcrafted paper pulp box, reflecting India's push for sustainable luxury products.
• Under U.S. federal law, gifts valued over $480 must be declared, with most expensive items either archived or used for official purposes; the diamond was retained for use in the East Wing of the White House.
• Other notable gifts to the Bidens in 2023 included a $14,063 brooch from Ukraine's ambassador and a $7,100 photo album from South Korea's impeached president.
• The U.S. State Department’s annual report also detailed over $132,000 worth of luxury gifts to CIA employees, most of which were destroyed for security reasons.