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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Grading
The Latest
SourcingFeb 14, 2025
Navneet Gems Now Offering Unheated Montana SapphiresThe wholesale collection features material from the Rock Creek mine in a variety of colors.
CollectionsFeb 14, 2025
Carolyn Rafaelian Partners with ‘Long Island Medium’ StarThe “Divinely Guided” collection, created in collaboration with Theresa Caputo, features symbols that celebrate the power of connection.
CollectionsFeb 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Lorraine West’s Diamond ‘Open Heart’ RingShow some love on Valentine’s Day with this 14-karat yellow gold ring that features pavé diamonds.
Brought to you by
3 Ways to Capitalize on America’s Newfound Love of Colored GemsColored stones are stepping into a jewelry spotlight typically reserved for diamonds—are you ready to sell color?
CrimeFeb 13, 2025
Macy’s Employee Foils $1.5M Jewelry Theft The employee confronted the thief, causing the suspect to flee and leave behind the suitcases full of jewelry.
Weekly QuizFeb 13, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingFeb 13, 2025
Namibian Diamond Co. Suspends CEO, COO After Deadly Heist Namib Desert Diamonds also put its security manager on leave following last month’s robbery that left one employee dead.
Events & AwardsFeb 13, 2025
AGTA Announces Buyer’s Choice Award Winners for Spectrum, Cutting EdgeAGTA recently concluded its 2025 GemFair event in Tucson and is already gearing up for next year’s show, set for Feb. 2-6, 2026.
Brought to you by
3 New Year’s Resolutions for Jewelry Lovers The new year feels like a clean slate, inspiring reflection, hope, and the motivation to become better versions of ourselves.
CollectionsFeb 13, 2025
Royal Chain Releases Its Spring 2025 CatalogMore than 400 new pieces are featured in the supplier’s latest catalog.
TrendsFeb 13, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Hearts for Valentine’s DayThis curation celebrates love with heart-shaped jewelry of all shapes and sizes.
Policies & IssuesFeb 13, 2025
Jewelers Relief Fund Reopened to Aid Victims of LA Fires The fund is collecting money for jewelry businesses damaged by the wildfires in Los Angeles County.
TrendsFeb 12, 2025
5 Engagement Ring Trends Expected to Rule 2025From chunky bands to vintage diamond cuts and bezel settings, these are the trends experts are seeing take over the bridal market.
EditorsFeb 12, 2025
Q&A: Marion Fasel on the History of Diamond Engagement RingsFasel discusses researching her new book, the most enduring engagement ring styles, and the diamond shape Taylor Swift will pick.
CollectionsFeb 12, 2025
De Beers Jewellers’ New High Jewelry Pays Homage to the Beauty of TreesThe “Essence of Nature, Chapter One” collection echoes trees and roots, literally and figuratively, through three sets of high jewelry.
SourcingFeb 12, 2025
SRK Announces Notable Reduction in Greenhouse Gas EmissionsLate last year, the India-based diamond manufacturer recorded emissions per carat that are 34 percent lower than the industry average.
ColumnistsFeb 12, 2025
Peter Smith: 9 Store Manager Archetypes Smith details the types of store managers he’s encountered, with the goal of helping retailers find a person who’s a fit for their store.
TechnologyFeb 12, 2025
MyGemma Now Offers Consignment ServiceThe secondhand reseller stocks pre-owned designer jewelry and watches, along with other luxury goods.
CollectionsFeb 12, 2025
Ghirardelli Is Slipping Chocolate Into a Locket This Valentine's DayThe limited-edition “Chocolocket” fits a mini square of Ghirardelli chocolate inside.
Events & AwardsFeb 11, 2025
JA Seeking Nominations for Its Next ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe program has been expanded to include a “20 Under 40” list for jewelry suppliers and is accepting nominations through Feb. 19.
CrimeFeb 11, 2025
2 Men Charged With Selling Stolen Jewelry, Watches in NYC Diamond DistrictOne of the men is said to be connected to the South American crew charged with burglarizing Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow’s home.
WatchesFeb 11, 2025
Bulgari, MB&F Launch Reimagined ‘Serpenti’ WatchThe brands immersed one of Bulgari’s most famous historical icons in MB&F’s ultra-mechanical universe of haute horlogerie.
FinancialsFeb 11, 2025
Boucheron a Bright Spot as Kering’s Full-Year Sales Sink 12%The luxury titan’s full-year performance was weighed down by struggling sales at its star brand Gucci.
MajorsFeb 11, 2025
Midas Chain Releases First Diamond CollectionThe jewelry manufacturer has launched more than 100 pieces made with natural diamonds.
SurveysFeb 10, 2025
Jewelry Resilient in 2024 Even As Luxury Sales Slipped, Says Bain & Co.Bain & Co.’s latest report on the luxury market examines why the market’s customer base is shrinking and how to appeal to consumers in 2025.
CrimeFeb 10, 2025
Counterfeit Jewelry Kept Kentucky Customs Agents Busy in January, CBP Says Officers in Louisville seized 28 shipments of fake jewelry and watches that would have been worth more than $27 million if genuine.
CollectionsFeb 10, 2025
Hearts on Fire Flips Jewelry ‘Inside Out’ in New CollectionThe collection centers on the art of tailoring, inspired by designs that feature folded fabrics, such as a tuxedo lapel.
Events & AwardsFeb 10, 2025
Select Jewelry Show Heads to NashvilleThe trade show has added a new location to its fall line-up.
