IGDA gains its first diamond/gemstone lab member

by carly_midgley | January 17, 2018 12:40 pm

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New York-based Gem Certification and Assurance Lab[2] (GCAL) has become the first diamond and gemstone laboratory to join the International Grown Diamond Association[3] (IGDA). The association—a nonprofit aiming to represent, promote, and provide education regarding the lab-grown diamond industry—has a membership of almost 40 synthetic diamond growers, distributors, suppliers, retailers, and experts.

“Adding a leading certification laboratory like GCAL as a member is a key step in the growth of our young industry and we look forward to working with the GCAL team to promote and educate the marketplace on lab-grown diamonds,” said Richard Garard, IGDA’s secretary general. “In less than two years since launching IGDA, we have grown to 40 members and have emerged as a collective front for the lab-grown diamond industry worldwide.”

Founded in 2015, GCAL offers full-level certification of lab-grown diamonds. Its COO, Angelo Palmieri, says the lab joined IGDA to support advancement of the synthetic diamond industry.

“GCAL recognizes the importance of disclosure and consumer awareness, and applauds IGDA’s goals to that end,” he said. “Lab-grown diamonds have shown there is a place in the market for this new category, and we are grateful to be able to play a small role in advancing the understanding and technology behind them.”

In addition to Canada, IGDA members span the United States, China, Singapore, India, the Philippines, Russia, and Hong Kong.

Source URL: https://www.jewellerybusiness.com/news/igda-gains-first-diamond-gemstone-lab-member/

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