International Gemological Institute, the largest independent gem certification institute in the world, successfully conducted seminars for three days beginning July 18 on 'Art and science of diamond grading' at IIJS, the international jewellery show organised by the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council.
The development marks a new milestone in the evolution of IIJS into a complete platform for the gems and jewellery industry.
IGI is the only international certification institute grading mounted jewellery in India and is participating in IIJS. The seminars were conducted by Marc Brauner, chief gemologist of IGI Antwerp.
As global authentication is done in India only by IGI, buyers in US and other countries look for the IGI stamp.
The IGI stamp saves foreign buyers the trouble of having to go through certification procedures in their own countries, IGI has said in a press release.
International certification has helped diamond exporters bring down rejections to almost zero. Domestic consumers buying diamonds with IGI certification get an assurance on the fair value and quality of diamonds bought, it added.
IGI provides diamond certification services to some of the best jewellers in the country including, Arisia, Popley & Sons, TBZ, Intergold, The Ash Collection, Gili & Oyzterbay in Mumbai, and Zenith Jewellers and B. C. Sen Jewellery House in Kolkata, Bholasons in Delhi, Jewels de Paragon in Bangalore and P N Gadgil jewellers in Pune.
IIJS has established itself as an effective platform for jewellers, diamond exporters and others involved in the jewellery business from all over India. Participant interaction has helped create awareness about the the latest developments in the industry.
Through its participation in IIJS, IGI said it would aim to make more jewellers and exporters conscious of the benefits of certification and how it could help grow their business.
IGI is the largest independent gem certification institute in the world. Established in 1975 in Antwerp, the biggest diamond trading centre in the world.
IGI today has operations in New York, Bangkok, Mumbai, Tokyo, Dubai, Toronto and Los Angeles. IGI started its laboratory in Mumbai in November 1999. The laboratory has a team of over 60 qualified gemologists certifying hundreds of diamonds and jewellery pieces.