The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) opened its first laboratory in Israel last Monday, giving a boost to the country's diamond industry, one of its largest export earners.
Israel is a major center in global diamond trade and the sector is a key economic driver. Exports of polished diamonds totaled $3.26 billion in the first half of 2012 and rough diamond exports totaled $1.52 billion.
GIA, the world’s foremost gemological institution, maintains a presence in 16 cities around the world. The new GIA facility in Ramat Gan is the eighth GIA laboratory and the sixth outside the United States. GIA is a nonprofit, independent organization committed to protecting all consumers of gemstones by setting and maintaining universal standards for determining gemstone quality.
The Institute translates its groundbreaking gemological research into practical applications that inform its instrument development, its laboratory services such as diamond grading and gemstone identification services, and its renowned educational programs.
