Lab-GrownJan 03, 2024
IGI Detects 6-Carat Lab-Grown Diamond With Fake InscriptionGradingJan 10, 2024
GCAL, Now Part of Sarine, Opens Lab in India
The facility is located in Sarine’s office building in Surat.
The Gem Certification & Assurance Laboratory, which was acquired by Sarine last year, has opened a laboratory in the diamond manufacturing hub of Surat, India. Don and Pamela Palmieri founded New York-based GCAL in 2001.
Surat, India—On Monday, Sarine Technologies Ltd. announced the opening of the first GCAL by Sarine grading lab in India.
The opening of the lab follows Sarine’s acquisition of a majority stake in the Gem Certification & Assurance Laboratory, which was announced last January and completed in May.
At the time the acquisition was announced, GCAL noted how the deal would give it the opportunity to expand overseas using Sarine’s AI-powered eGrading machines without comprising on quality or having to abandon its cash-back grading guarantee for consumers.
On Tuesday, GCAL by Sarine President Angelo Palmieri, who visited the new facility late last month, said the lab in India operates the same way the company’s lab in New York does.
It employs Sarine’s AI grading equipment but, ultimately, there is still a human being who checks each diamond that is graded.
Related stories will be right here …
The opening of the lab follows Sarine’s acquisition of a majority stake in the Gem Certification & Assurance Laboratory, which was announced last January and completed in May.
At the time the acquisition was announced, GCAL noted how the deal would give it the opportunity to expand overseas using Sarine’s AI-powered eGrading machines without comprising on quality or having to abandon its cash-back grading guarantee for consumers.
On Tuesday, GCAL by Sarine President Angelo Palmieri, who visited the new facility late last month, said the lab in India operates the same way the company’s lab in New York does.
It employs Sarine’s AI grading equipment but, ultimately, there is still a human being who checks each diamond that is graded.
The lab is located in Sarine’s office building in the city of Surat, which is surrounded by a number of large diamond manufacturing facilities.
Sarine does not disclose the specific number of employees in any division, including GCAL by Sarine, but said it has approximately 400 employees in India total. Ben Finkelstein is the director of operations there.
Palmieri said opening a GCAL lab in Surat, the city that cuts and polishes the vast majority of the world’s diamonds and is home to a massive new diamond bourse, was the “next logical phase” of the company’s acquisition by Sarine.
“With the technology developed by Sarine, we will be able to place a laboratory anywhere in the world … we are just getting started,” he said.
The Latest
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
Weekly QuizMar 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Introduce New ScholarshipIt’s the third scholarship to be launched as part of the partnership to help appraisers advance their professional credentials.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
JA Still Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsThe deadline for entries in the jewelry design competition has been extended to April 3.
SourcingMar 25, 2026
Rob Bates Steps Down as JCK News Director After 28 years with JCK, the veteran industry journalist is launching his own publication on Substack called The Jewelry Wire.
CollectionsMar 25, 2026
Boochier Turns Flower Friendship Bracelets Into Fine JewelryThe “Flower Puff” collection looks to beaded flower friendship bracelets from childhood, turning the silhouette into nostalgic fine jewelry.
Policies & IssuesMar 25, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry to Host Bench Jeweler Shortage WebinarSet for April 2, the webinar will discuss how the jewelry industry can address the workforce gap.
IndependentsMar 24, 2026
Lisa Bayer, Illustrator and Beloved Member of the Muse Family, Dies at 64Bayer, founder of Lisa Bayer Designs, is remembered as “a bright light in every room.”
AuctionsMar 24, 2026
White Diamonds Shine In Christie's Jewels Online SaleThe highest-grossing lot was a Tiffany & Co. ring set with a flawless, emerald-cut diamond of 10 carats.
SourcingMar 24, 2026
AGTA Solidifies Tucson Dates For 2027-2029The next three editions of AGTA GemFair Tucson will feature a five-day show that includes Sunday.
WatchesMar 24, 2026
Christie’s Names New Senior Specialist, WatchesFormer Sotheby’s executive Tom Heap has taken on the London-based role.
CrimeMar 23, 2026
NYPD Looking for 3 Jewelry Store Robbery SuspectsThe group of women allegedly robbed two Catbird stores and one Gorjana location on the afternoon of March 9.
FinancialsMar 23, 2026
Movado’s Q4 Sales Rise As Demand Grows From Younger Shoppers, WomenMovado CEO Efraim Grinberg noted continued strength in the fashion watch and accessible luxury segments in the U.S.
TrendsMar 23, 2026
Marco Bicego’s New Campaign Showcases ‘The Art of Craft’After celebrating 25 years in 2025, the campaign marks a new chapter for the jewelry brand with the message that “Identity Creates Value.”
Events & AwardsMar 23, 2026
These Watch Brands Are Heading to Couture This YearCouture and Time to Watches announced the watch brands, from big names to independents, attendees will see at the show.
FinancialsMar 20, 2026
Macy’s Turnaround Plans Shows Promise, Boosted by Bloomingdale’sPlus, why Saks Global’s bankruptcy may have given Bloomingdale’s an edge.
AuctionsMar 20, 2026
Sotheby's, De Beers Unveil ‘Jwaneng 28.88’ DiamondThe flawless, Type IIa stone is estimated to achieve up to $2.8 million at the auction house’s high jewelry sale in April.
TrendsMar 20, 2026
‘Frankenstein’ Costume Designer Is Bejeweled In Brooches for Oscars WinCostume designer Kate Hawley wore three archival Tiffany & Co. brooches, our Pieces of the Week, while accepting her first Oscar.
FinancialsMar 19, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Close 100 Stores, Shutter James Allen BannerThe jewelry retailer announced changes to its store network and brand portfolio during its fourth-quarter earnings call.
SurveysMar 19, 2026
NRF Forecasts 4% Retail Sales Growth in 2026From a weaker labor market to inflation, NRF Chief Economist Mark Mathews gave insight on what retailers can expect this year.
AuctionsMar 19, 2026
26-Carat Diamond Tops $1M at AuctionThe historic stone, which sold at Elmwood’s in London, is the largest white diamond to be offered on the U.K. market in more than a decade.
