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
MajorsMay 16, 2025
Saks Fifth Avenue, Amazon Partner on Luxury Online StorefrontPlus, parent company Saks Global announces plans to cut ties with up to 600 vendors.
Recorded WebinarsMay 16, 2025
Watch: Physical Retail Is Not DeadPeter Smith joined Michelle Graff to chat about the state of brick-and-mortar stores and share a few book and podcast recommendations.
CollectionsMay 16, 2025
Piece of the Week: Tejen’s ‘Candy Bowl’ Torque NecklaceThe necklace features a candy-colored Australian white opal in 18-karat Fairmined gold, as the brand was named a Fairmined ambassador.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
Supplier BulletinMay 15, 2025
Treasure Hunting at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show
Weekly QuizMay 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsMay 15, 2025
'The Mediterranean Blue' Diamond Sells for $21M at Sotheby’sA private American collector purchased the 10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.
CollectionsMay 15, 2025
Jessica McCormack’s ‘Fruit Salad’ Collection Is Fresh for SummerThe designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
SourcingMay 15, 2025
Tariffs Take Toll on India’s Gem and Jewelry Industry in April The country’s gem and jewelry exports fell 5 percent year-over-year last month, while imports declined 18 percent.
Policies & IssuesMay 15, 2025
State of Retail: How to Better Serve Customers With DisabilitiesAround 54 million Americans and counting live with a disability. Here’s how to make your jewelry store and website more accessible.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2025
Poet Sekou Andrews to Give Closing Keynote at ConvergeThe event is also accepting poster submissions now through June 16.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Here’s What Happened to Pope Francis’ RingBefore Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.
AuctionsMay 14, 2025
Custom Rolex Pulled From Sotheby’s SaleThe one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.
Lab-GrownMay 14, 2025
State of Diamonds: What’s Next for Lab-Grown Diamonds?While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.
CrimeMay 14, 2025
Seattle Detectives Seek Public’s Help in Tiffany & Co. Robberies The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.
MajorsMay 14, 2025
Jeff Corey Elected Chair of JBT Board The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Foundrae Donates $11K to Ethical MetalsmithsThe donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.
IndependentsMay 13, 2025
Eiseman Jewels’ Renovated Dallas Store Is Bigger and BetterLocated in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
DCA Announces New Learning Platform, Course UpdatesThe nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
BIJC Launches New Education FundBIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.
TrendsMay 13, 2025
State of Jewelry Design: The Top 10 Jewelry Trends of the Past DecadeAs a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.
Lab-GrownMay 12, 2025
Lightbox to Go Dark by Summer, De Beers Says The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.
Policies & IssuesMay 12, 2025
Tariffs on Chinese Imports Temporarily Slashed as U.S.-China Reach Deal Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
Jewelry By Picasso, Dalí on Display at Florida Art Museum “Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection” is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through October.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
IndependentsMay 09, 2025
Lugano Diamonds CEO Resigns Amid Internal InvestigationMoti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayLichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.
