Last Updated : 17 March 2010 at 02:30 IST

IGI to take part in Shanghai diamond expo

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HONG KONG (Commodity Online): International Gemological Institute (IGI), world’s leading gem lab, will participate in Shanghai World Expo 2010.

With over 180 countries, 230 pavilions, and 70 million visitors expected over its six-month run, the world exposition will be the largest ever.

According to IGI, the Belgian pavilion will see 50,000 visitors daily, giving each the chance to buy diamonds cut and polished in Antwerp, the world diamond centre in Belgium, and set by Belgium’s Royal Court-appointed jeweller.

Jewellery sold at the shop at the Diamond Exhibition Corner will be accompanied by an IGI Identification Certificate providing complete details on the quality of the diamonds, thus giving consumers full confidence in what they are buying.

IGI has been promoting international standards in gem grading and certification in China for over 10 years. As China emerged as the world’s No. 2 diamond market by consumption in 2009, consumers increasingly sought more accurate and detailed information on what they are buying.

To meet that need, the gem lab provides the IGI Identification Report to certify genuine pieces of jewellery. The report carries a full description of the gem or article of jewellery, including its identification, weight, measurements, shape, cut, finish, clarity, colour, and where appropriate, the quantity of precious stones. It also carries the identification, content details and weight of precious metals in the piece.

China’s imports of polished diamonds totalled $699m last year. Besides its ongoing Shanghai Expo activities, IGI will also be participating in several China tradeshows, including Jewelry Shanghai, April 9-12; Shenzhen International Jewellery Fair, September 15-19 and Beijing International Jewellery Fair, November 11-15.

The International Gemological Institute (IGI), the world’s largest independent laboratory for testing and evaluating gemstones and fine jewellery, was established in 1975 in Antwerp and is located in New York City, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Dubai, Bangkok, Tokyo, Tel Aviv, Los Angeles, Toronto, Kolkata, New Delhi and Surat.