GIA Hallmark for Gujarat Gem & Diamond Industry

Gem and diamond testing laboratories are to be set up by the Gujarat government across the state in anticipation of the 2009 Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit. The state is planning to establish cooperation with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), which offers grading services to gem, diamond and jewelry merchants all over the world. The GIA will now hallmark products of the jewelry industry in the state.
The General Manager of Projects and Technology at the Industrial Extension Bureau (iNDEXTb), Chandan Chatterjee, stated: "The state already has a jewelry testing laboratory and grading system through some private companies and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Since we are hoping to attract investments worth over Rs 500 crore during Vibrant Gujarat, an international standard of grading is imperative to lure foreign buyers. We are looking to set up a gem testing laboratory in collaboration with domestic players."
The laboratories will be established at an investment of around Rs 1 crore each, with the partial financial support of the state government. Surat, Ahmedabad, Jamnagar and Rajkot are likely to house these laboratory centers.
With the aim of developing inclusive manpower in the jewelry sector, the government plans to create more gem and jewelry parks all over the state. Plans also include upgrading training institutes in cities such as Rajkot and Ahmedabad.