The Hindu Business Line : Gem institute, export bodies to set up research centre

THE Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), Diamond Exporters' Association Ltd, Bharat Diamond Bourse and Gem and Jewellery Exporters' Association have joined hands with the Gemmological Institute of India to set up a research centre in Mumbai.

A memorandum of understanding has been signed, and the centre will be equipped with latest equipment. It will become operative with immediate effect.

"It will carry out research and development activities especially for synthetic diamond and high pressure high temperature (HPHT) treated diamonds," Mr Kirtilal K. Doshi, Chairman of Gemmological Institute of India (GII), said here while addressing the 25th annual convocation of GII held recently.

The R&D activities require huge investment. The council has agreed to arrange the required finance for this purpose, he said.

With the conglomeration of the GII with apex organisations such as GJEPC and other important trade institutions in the country, the institute has become a national body, representing the Indian gem and jewellery industry.

The institute has to make the necessary changes in the constitution of the trust and induct eleven trustees on the board. This will include six trustees from GJEPC, three trustees from Gem and Jewellery Exporters' Association, one from Bharat Diamond Bourse and one from Diamond Exporters' Association Ltd, said Mr Doshi.

Synthetic diamond and HPHT treated diamonds have created apprehensions among diamontaires around the world. To combat this threat, the gemmological laboratories around the globe have been equipped with high-tech instruments.

"In India, we do not have any exclusive research facility established to carry out advanced research studies on diamonds and gemstones. It is therefore the need of the hour that a modern, sophisticated and latest research and development laboratory is set up at the national level ," he said.

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