Beginning June 30, all the services for colored gems that were previously offered by the GIA offices in Bangkok, Carlsbad and New York became available in the laboratories of the Gemological Institute of America (GEM) in Hong Kong and Tokyo, Rapaport reports.
In the laboratories in Hong Kong and Tokyo, highly skilled personnel were employed and specialized equipment was purchased to perform additional services.
"Both Hong Kong and Tokyo are important global centers for the trade in colored gemstones, and we want to improve the quality of service and expand the range of services for our customers," says Kenneth Scarratt, GIA's Managing Director in the Southeast Asia region. "This is one of the initiatives aimed at increasing consumer confidence in precious stones and jewelry."
The GIA services available for color gemstones in Hong Kong and Tokyo include the identification report, the identification of origin, the preparation of GIA Gem Passbook ™, as well as new services: determining the origin of red spinel, marking on cut rubies and sapphires weighing from 0.5 carat, compilation of Portrait Report and Notable Letter.