GradingApr 10, 2023
GIA Is Going Back to Paper ReportsGradingMay 11, 2023
Sarine Completes Acquisition of Majority Stake in GCAL
The new corporation, GCAL USA LLC, will be part of the Sarine Group and its grading reports will read “GCAL by Sarine.”
Sarine North America Inc. completed its acquisition of the Gem Certification & Assurance Lab on Tuesday. Sarine now holds a 70 percent stake in the New York-based grading lab, which will operate under the brand name “GCAL by Sarine.”
New York—Sarine North America Inc. has completed its proposed acquisition of the Gem Certification & Assurance Lab, paying $5.7 million for a 70 percent stake in the business, a regulatory filing shows.
The transaction, first announced in January, closed Tuesday.
The new corporation, GCAL USA LLC, will be part of the Sarine Group, though GCAL’s current team—including co-founders Don and Pamela Palmieri and their son Angelo Palmieri, the lab’s chief operating officer—will continue to lead and manage the New York-based lab for at least three years.
After three years, Sarine will have the option to take a 100 percent stake in the lab, per the filing.
All current GCAL employees will become employees of GCAL USA LLC.
Sarine had to let go a “small number” of people because of redundancies but hired for a couple additional positions, Sarine CEO David Block said.
“Overall, the total manpower of the two companies when merged should be more or less the same,” he said.
The company will operate under the brand name “GCAL by Sarine,” which will be the name that appears on grading reports and marketing materials.
The acquisition gives Sarine, which is based in Israel and has a larger presence in Europe and Asia, a foothold in the United States by pairing it with a grading lab that is established in the market.
Don and Pamela founded GCAL in 2001.
“I am thrilled by the opportunities created by this merger,” Block said in a press release. “First and foremost because we have found a partner that shares our values—quality, consistency, reliability, transparency, and customer centricity.
“Secondly, I truly believe the merger will provide the U.S. and other markets a much-needed solution to their pressing concerns for fast, accurate, consistent and efficient grading, along the optional provenance data, critical in these times of geopolitical unrest.”
Related stories will be right here …
The transaction, first announced in January, closed Tuesday.
The new corporation, GCAL USA LLC, will be part of the Sarine Group, though GCAL’s current team—including co-founders Don and Pamela Palmieri and their son Angelo Palmieri, the lab’s chief operating officer—will continue to lead and manage the New York-based lab for at least three years.
After three years, Sarine will have the option to take a 100 percent stake in the lab, per the filing.
All current GCAL employees will become employees of GCAL USA LLC.
Sarine had to let go a “small number” of people because of redundancies but hired for a couple additional positions, Sarine CEO David Block said.
“Overall, the total manpower of the two companies when merged should be more or less the same,” he said.
The company will operate under the brand name “GCAL by Sarine,” which will be the name that appears on grading reports and marketing materials.
The acquisition gives Sarine, which is based in Israel and has a larger presence in Europe and Asia, a foothold in the United States by pairing it with a grading lab that is established in the market.
Don and Pamela founded GCAL in 2001.
“I am thrilled by the opportunities created by this merger,” Block said in a press release. “First and foremost because we have found a partner that shares our values—quality, consistency, reliability, transparency, and customer centricity.
“Secondly, I truly believe the merger will provide the U.S. and other markets a much-needed solution to their pressing concerns for fast, accurate, consistent and efficient grading, along the optional provenance data, critical in these times of geopolitical unrest.”
For GCAL, the merger allows it to expand overseas using Sarine’s artificial intelligence-powered grading instruments without sacrificing quality, an imperative for the lab, GCAL has said.
GCAL still will offer all the same grading services, including its new 8X cut grade, as well as its “Zero Tolerance” 4Cs Consumer Guarantee, which offers consumers money back if the cut, color, clarity and carat weight on their diamond’s GCAL certificate is not accurate.
“We would not have sold the company if we had to abandon the guarantee,” Don said when news of the deal was made public earlier this year.
In the press release, he called the closing of the acquisition “an emotional moment.”
“This merger will support our crusade of many decades to insist on issuing highly reliable quality certificates, which protect our industry and, most importantly, the consumer,” he said.
“We are excited by this opportunity to join forces with Sarine, which has developed a technological solution that enables bringing our stringent quality guarantee to a broader market on an expansive scale.”
More on Grading
The Latest
FinancialsSep 02, 2025
Lab-Grown Diamonds, Lower-Priced Fashion Jewelry Drive Signet Jewelers’ Q2 SalesThe retailer has raised its guidance after seeing total sales increase 3 percent in the second quarter, beating expectations.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Birks CEO Jean-Christophe Bédos Steps DownNiccolò Rossi di Montelera, executive chairman of the board, was appointed as interim CEO.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Harry Winston Opens Its Largest Flagship in JapanThe three-floor space also features the jeweler’s largest VIP salon in Japan and offers an exclusive diamond pendant.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
CollectionsSep 02, 2025
Stephanie Gottlieb Debuts Silver Designs in ‘All Hours’ CollabThe collection is a collaboration between Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry and Oak and Luna, focusing on understated essentials.
Weekly QuizAug 29, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsAug 29, 2025
Sotheby’s UAE Sale to Feature 32-Carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink DiamondThe highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.
FinancialsAug 29, 2025
Movado’s Q2 Sales Rebound Despite Tariff ImpactCEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
CollectionsAug 29, 2025
Piece of the Week: Mark Davis’ ‘Bullseye’ Necklace The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.
Supplier BulletinAug 28, 2025
Clientbook Is Helping Jewelers Turn Clienteling Challenges into Wins with Hands-On Training and CoachingSponsored by Clientbook
SourcingAug 28, 2025
Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Diamond Sales SlumpPresident Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.
MajorsAug 28, 2025
Borsheims Names New Jewelry BuyerFormer Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.
IndependentsAug 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin Donates School Supplies to Memphis StudentsThe jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.
EditorsAug 27, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Is a Fairy Tale for Vintage Diamond CutsThe singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.
SourcingAug 27, 2025
11,685-Carat Emerald Recovered From Zambia’s Kagem MineDubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.
SurveysAug 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips in August Amid Job, Income WorriesPlans for dining out, booking vacations, and buying big-ticket items were down.
CollectionsAug 27, 2025
Mined + Found’s New Collection Gets Playful The “Play” collection centers on nostalgic toys that have kinetic elements to carry playfulness and wonder into adulthood.
CollectionsAug 26, 2025
Does Your Jewelry Stack Need a Snack?Designer Christina Puchi, the creative force behind CCWW Designs, has created charms and pendants based on iconic candies and crackers.
WatchesAug 26, 2025
Nick Jonas Gets Nostalgic in New Fossil CampaignThe Jonas Brothers star showed off new timepieces against the backdrop of his favorite spots in his home state of New Jersey.
IndependentsAug 26, 2025
Hinkamp Jewelers Celebrates 70 YearsThe family-owned jeweler in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is in the hands of the second generation.
ColumnistsAug 26, 2025
Back to School, Back to Style: Why August is Prime Time for Self-GiftingIn his latest column, Emmanuel Raheb shares tips for encouraging customers to treat themselves to new jewelry.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
London Jewelers Brings Rolex to Historic Hamptons HomeThe new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.
CollectionsAug 25, 2025
Tennis Star Madison Keys Has the Perfect Necklace for the US OpenThe Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.
TrendsAug 25, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: That’s a WrapWrap jewelry is more than just a trend; it’s the perfect motif for the coming season of layering, scarves, and pumpkin spice.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
WatchTime NY Show Returns for 10th Anniversary EditionThe three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ CollarThe one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.
MajorsAug 22, 2025
Kendra Scott Returns as CEO of Her Jewelry EmpireThree C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”
