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Task force to standardize diamond grading

June 12, 2008

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Las Vegas—A group of gemological experts from around the world are putting their heads together to establish international technical standards for diamond grading.

The Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA) launched this initiative during a meeting held in late May at the Platinum Hotel and Spa in Las Vegas, during the JCK show.

Meeting attendees included laboratory leaders such as Don Palmieri from the Gem Certification and Assurance Laboratory (GCAL), Peter Yantzer from the American Gem Society, Lore Kiefert from the American Gem Trade Association and Nick Del Re and Branko Deljanin from the European Gemological Laboratory (EGL).

According to a news release, the formation of this task force is a response to consumer dissatisfaction with inconsistent grades and, specifically, a concern that procedures used to color-grade fluorescent diamonds result in misleading and inaccurate grades.

As a starting point, meeting participants agreed on the formation of a Task Force on Lighting and Gemstone Grading, chaired by Chuck Bauer of Dazor Lighting. The task force will include representatives from the University of Arizona, EGL/Canada, EGL/USA, Professional Gem Sciences Laboratory and the Pennsylvania Gemological Laboratory.

Palmieri and Michael Allchin of AnchorCert Diamond Certification in Birmingham, United Kingdom, will serve in an advisory capacity for this task force.

In addition, AnchorCert has agreed to draft protocol for round-robin testing and start the process with GCAL in New York.

Gemologist Antoinette Matlins, who chaired the May 30 meeting, said she was delighted with the results.

"I was optimistic that we'd put together a team that would make something happen but certainly did not expect such an immediate and positive response," she said.
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