Paradigm shifts from Mumbai to Surat

Paradigm shifts from Mumbai to Surat
With the launches of state-of-the art facility
The IGI shifts paradigm

Nayan Jani


Recently, the largest independent global laboratory for testing & grading gemstones & fine jewellery, the IGI made available its facility to Surat. India’s only ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accredited laboratory bag overwhelmed welcome from diamond fraternity. About 450 diamantaires attended the IGI launches against the expectations of 200 players. They witnessed the laboratory is spread over 10K sq.mts.

Mr Roland Lorié, CEO, IGI Worldwide, inaugurated the laboratory in the presence of Ms Varda Shine, MD, DTC, Mr Tehmasp Printer, M D, IGI India and amid notable GJ Players. On the occasion Lorie, a recognized industry leader and expert honored Varda with the Award of, ‘First Lady of Diamond World’.

This is the sixth move that IGI has taken in India following after, Mumbai, SEEPZ, Kolkata, New Delhi and Kerala during the past 11years in India. Significance of the laboratory is a capacity to work closely with domestic players by catering much-needed expediency, expertise solution to certify stones. This would be a hassle free one-stop-venue for Surat players. “When we came very few people were believe in India, a consumption center.” Roland said about their vision for India.
Tehmasp Printer said that laboratory has full fledged diamond grading and certification facility. Expert gemologists will certify loose diamonds ranging from 0.10 carats and up, using state-of-the-art equipment combined with technical expertise of over 35 years to consistently assess the carat weight, clarity, color and cut of a diamond.

“The IGI edge is to certify diamonds from 105cts to 0.0003cts. “Roland said by keeping in mind that the Surat Artisan recently has cut and polished the world’s smallest diamond, weighing just 0.0003 carats and that has 57 facets. De facto naked eye has no sight for such minuscule stone and the stone that graded and certified by IGI in Surat. According to Roland, "It is the smallest diamond polished in the world,”

Surat has such edge to cut & polish diamonds. In general Artisans in Surat process diamonds that of 0.002cts and 0.004cts regularly. Such players would enjoy IGI now to trade intact spectrum.

Entire paradigm would shift from Mumbai to Surat just because of the availability of such global facility and state of the art that made available by IGI. Until now the Surat practice manufacturing & get done sorting from Mumbai. Now, the Surat not only would carry manufacturing but also get set to go sorting too. The fastest growing diamond city- the Surat would be a capacity to attract buyers directly.

Post economic downturn development shows 20% growth in the FY 2009-10. Available figure says that the Surat get cut & polished about 498.41 lac carats during the April 2009 to February 2010.

On the occasion, “India has seen a constant growth in demand for diamond jewellery over the last 10 years. With the Indian wedding business valued at $20 billion, more and more consumers are moving to diamond buying. IGI setting up an international certifying facility in Surat, the diamond hub of the world will certainly help boost consumer confidence,” Varda said.

‘Right with the inaugural the IGI would create job opportunity for about 200 skills and in the macro term over thousands may get employment around the IGI.’ Said Lorié in the context of employment generation, “At present there are 50 gemologists working in the Surat IGI and the number would increase to 200 by the end of the year.” he added.

The IGI has notable Educational programs that will be offered in Surat. The IGI will offer educational programs including a Polished and Rough Diamond Grading Program, a Colored Stone Identification Program and a Jewellery Design Program. IGI will also offer customized courses for diamond houses, retailers and jewelers on topics such as ‘Know Your Diamonds’ and ‘Retail Development Program.’ ‘Infrastructure, education system and quality that would be of International standards yet education would be carried in a local language.’ said IGI official.