Gems institute gets ISO norm

International Gemological Institute of India, the independent gem certification institute, has received ISO 9001 : 2000 certification for its 'standard grading and certification processes'.

IGI India said it was the only certifying laboratory in the country with this certification. IGI has been operating for four years in India.

IGI India developed awareness about the need for certification within the trade and consumers. IGI set up its laboratory at Opera House, Mumbai, comparable with similar laboratories in New York, Bangkok, Tokyo, Dubai, Toronto and Los Angeles.

Commenting on the ISO 9001 certification, Roland Lorié, CEO of IGI Worldwide, said, "Today, we're offering a valid reason to buy or trade in diamonds with our quality certifications. Within the Indian scenario an ISO 9001:2000 certification was imminent considering our volumes and nature of trade which is an affirmation of our commitment to continuing excellence in the quality certification processes."

In India, IGI works with market leaders. Having started with only 3 gemologists, IGI now has close to 90 professional gemologists in India and 400 in the world.

"The ISO 9001 Certification is a new step towards giving the trade and every consumer an informed choice, when buying an I.G.I. Certified Diamond" said Tehmasp Printer, managing director of IGI India.