GIA Brings Industry-Leading Diamond Grading to Israel
Eighth global facility puts services where clients do business
CARLSBAD, Calif. – Sept. 3, 2012 – Israel, long an important center for the international gem trade, has added another asset with the opening today of the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) diamond grading laboratory in Ramat Gan. Located in the diamond center in Tel Aviv, the new lab will accept diamonds for grading directly from clients beginning tomorrow, Sept. 4, 2012.“Opening a GIA grading laboratory in Israel – one of the most important countries in the global diamond trade – is a proud achievement for GIA,” said Donna Baker, GIA president and CEO. “On behalf of everyone at GIA I am honored that we will now serve the Israeli diamond community close to their home here in Ramat Gan.”
With the opening of its eighth laboratory, GIA has expanded its ability to fulfill its mission to ensure the public trust in gems and jewelry by bringing industry-leading diamond grading services directly to the globally-important Israeli gem industry. By initially focusing the laboratory’s services on diamond grading and instituting a unique and innovative reservation system for the direct submission of stones, GIA is meeting the needs of the Israeli diamond community.
Speaking earlier today at a ceremony in Ramat Gan, Israel, hosted by the Israel Diamond Institute (IDI) and The Israel Diamond Manufacturing Association (IsDMA) to commemorate the opening, the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Avigdor Lieberman said that the opening of the GIA lab in Israel reaffirmed the excellent trade and business cooperation that Israel enjoys with the U.S. “Israel is a world leader in diamonds, one of our principal industrial exports,” Lieberman said. “The U.S. is our largest market for polished diamonds. A GIA lab in Israel’s diamond center enables us to better meet the needs of this market.”
"The opening of the GIA facility is of major significance to the Israeli Diamond Industry and advances our position as a global diamond trading hub” added Moti Ganz, chairman of IDI.
Avraham (Bumi) Traub, president of IsDMA, noted that GIA reports are highly respected and very much in demand by both the trade and consumers. “Having a GIA lab facility on-site in Israel will save the diamond trade both precious time and costs.”
The new GIA facility will initially offer Diamond Dossier® and Diamond Grading Report services for colorless diamonds up to 2.99 cts. Related secondary services that meet the immediate needs of the local market – including re-examination, updates and verification – will also be offered. Additional services may be added at a later date.
With the introduction of the reservation system for direct submission, clients submitting stones to GIA in Israel will be able schedule drop-off and pick-up appointments, eliminating the need to wait on-site to submit stones for grading services. They will also be able to monitor the progress of their services online. If reservations are not available, clients will be able to submit stones through GIA LabDirect consolidators who will provide take-in services. Consolidators will also take in diamonds larger than 2.99 carats, fancy color diamonds, colored gemstones and pearls.
“By offering services focused on the needs of our clients, it is our hope that the presence of a GIA grading laboratory in Ramat Gan will support the continued success of the Israeli diamond industry,” said Tom Moses, senior vice president of GIA Laboratory and Research. “The new reservation system will add to our customer service and may be expanded to other locations in the future.”
All gemstones submitted to GIA anywhere in the world may be sent to any GIA laboratory, ensuring the equal, unbiased and neutral examination based on the rigorous and consistent standards that characterize all of GIA’s gem identification and grading services.
The opening of the Israel laboratory, the eighth in the Institute’s global network, was announced in July 2011. The new facility began accepting stones for grading via consolidator services on Aug. 1, 2012, and will start accepting stones directly from clients tomorrow, Sept. 4, 2012. GIA began its global expansion in 2008, adding diamond grading services to its Bangkok laboratory and opening new laboratory facilities in Johannesburg, South Africa; Gaborone, Botswana; and Mumbai, India. In 2010, a lab opened in Hong Kong and a ninth facility is slated to open in Japan later this year.
Members of the trade in Israel interested in becoming GIA clients or learning more about GIA services and the reservation system should call 03 522 6749 or contact us.
