Today marks the inauguration of the International Gemological Institute’s (IGI) new offices at Mumbai’s Capital Bandra-Kurla Complex. The move is aimed at serving the industry – which is gradually moving its center of operations to the new diamond bourse – better and more efficiently. In attendance will be guest of honor, Vipul Shah, the chairman of the Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), IGI's worldwide co-CEO Roland Lorie and other prominent industry members.
IGI will offer full industry services from its new location at the diamond bourse. The Institute will be housed in over 50,000 square feet of office space and will offer an entirely new customer experience, including Tatkal, a special one-day option for urgent deliveries. It will also offer pick-up and drop-off at both its bourse location and at customers’ offices. Accuracy and service have always been cornerstones at IGI and will be further reinforced at the new premises.
IGI services are now available at four Mumbai locations, in addition to ten labs across India – certification of loose stones and jewelry offered at the capital; mobile lab grading services for Zaveri Bazzar and surrounding areas remain at Opera House; IGI's school of gemology operates from Opera House and special courses are also offered at Bandra-Kurla; IGI MIDC will continue its jewelry certification services, as well as IGI SEEPZ’s services for the export markets. Additionally, mobile labs will be operational from all IGI offices.
“The Bandra-Kurla office will offer state-of-the-art facilities, upgraded systems and convenient delivery options for our clients,” said Tehmasp Printer, the managing director of IGI India. “Operating full-service facilities at four prime locations in Mumbai, we offer the competitive advantage of being closer to diamantaires’ offices, as well as jewelry manufacturers’ factories. Our singular focus is to offer better and more efficient services.”
IGI first established a laboratory in India in 1999, when third-party certification and international grading standards had not yet been fully introduced in the region. India was already an important manufacturing center, but most certification and trading took place outside of the country. IGI took on the challenge of educating the Indian diamond industry and, since its inception, has instructed a significant cross-section of the industry – from manufacturers, to sorters and polishers. To date, tens of thousands of people have enrolled in IGI’s courses. Today, the Indian diamond industry serves the global diamond pipeline – including mining, manufacturing and retail – and IGI is proud to have played an integral and leading role in its growth.
The new diamond bourse has recently become a reality and serves as India’s crowning glory in the global diamond community. The complex is designed to house approximately 2,500 small and large diamond traders, in addition to Customs House, banks and other service providers.
About the International Gemological InstituteIGI began in 1975 and is currently the world’s largest independent laboratory for testing and grading gemstones and fine jewelry with offices in Antwerp, New York, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Tel Aviv, Bangkok, Tokyo, Dubai, Toronto, Los Angeles, Kolkata, New Delhi, Surat, Chennai, Thrissur, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Cavaleze and Shanghai. IGI has received ISO accreditation in many countries. A certificate from IGI represents the all-important 5th C that no one should be without: Confidence. IGI is a standard of excellence for industry professionals and consumers around the globe. For more information, please visit www.igiworldwide.com.
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