GIA Unveils Plans for Labs in Surat and Antwerp

RAPAPORT... The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) will this year opena laboratory in Surat, and expand its operations in Antwerp to include diamondgrading.The GIA has secured premises for the two locations, and expects to open both in the second quarter, it saidMonday. The Surat laboratory will bring the GIA's services -including its Melee Analysis Service for detecting synthetics - closer to companiesin that important manufacturing hub, the organization noted. In Antwerp, it will introduce diamond-grading services, and increase capacity for its mine-to-market (M2M) program, which matches rough diamonds totheir resulting polished, the lab said."Expanding our facility in Antwerp, and opening a newlocation in Surat, continues GIA's mission-driven effort to bring ourresearch-based laboratory services for diamonds, colored stones and pearls evercloser to our clients," said Tom Moses, the GIA's executive vice president and chieflaboratory and research officer. Clients will be able to drop off goods for every service atboth the Surat and Antwerp labs, the GIA added.Image: Valerie Power/GIA