IGI Acquires US Colored-Gemstone Lab

The International Gemological Institute (IGI) has bought American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) to help broaden its global colored-gemstone certification services.

The deal brings together the India-headquartered IGI’s scale, infrastructure and market presence with AGL’s scientific expertise in colored gemstones, the institute said last week.

“This is a transformational step for the industry,” said IGI global CEO Tehmasp Printer. “By combining AGL’s scientific leadership in colored gemstones with IGI’s global platform, we are building a future-ready certification ecosystem that delivers scale without compromising integrity or science. Together, we are setting a new global benchmark for trust, transparency and consistency in gemstone certification.”

The AGL will operate independently, maintaining its headquarters in New York, where Chris Smith will remain president and chief of gemology. Both organizations will maintain their existing technical standards and service level, while jointly developing new tools, reporting formats, and provenance services for the international market, IGI said.

The acquisition reinforces strategic connections between the US, the largest fine-jewelry and colored-gemstone market, and India, a global manufacturing hub, IGI added.

Image: A gemstone being evaluated in a laboratory. (Shutterstock)