ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
GradingJun 30, 2017
New Lab Launched in Bangkok in Association with ICA
The Federated International GemLab, located in the city’s Silom district, is led by renowned colored stone gemologist Dietmar Schwarz.
A new lab called the Federated International GemLab has opened in association with the International Colored Gemstone Association in the Silom district of Bangkok.
Bangkok--There’s a new gem lab open for business.
The Federated International GemLab (FIG) has launched in association with the International Colored Gemstone Association in Bangkok, a city which already has a number of them.
But rather than jumping in that all-important gem market to compete, it’s there to “aid” a market which finds itself with more gems that need a report than there are labs for, ICA Executive Director Gary Roskin told National Jeweler.
“With the number of treatments that are possible and the detection of them no longer a simple desk gemology test, we need professional gem laboratories,” Roskin said. “FIG is on the path to becoming one of the important names in the industry. We all look forward to seeing it grow.”
FGI got its start when an ICA member wanted to establish a new gem lab and asked the organization for its help establishing credibility, Roskin said. The ICA agreed, and lent its help in the building of the lab, from the equipment to the team.
The partnership also means that ICA members receive a 10 percent discount on FIG services as well as priority service.
FIG is headed by renowned colored stone gemologist Dietmar Schwarz, who has joined as research manager.
His career in gemology includes four decades of teaching and research activities, including teaching at the Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto in Minas Gerais, Brazil and working as a gemologist and research manager at the Gubelin Gem Lab in Lucerne, Switzerland, and as director at the Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences in Bangkok.
He currently is a part-time professor at the Tongji University in Shanghai and a guest lecturer at the China University of Geosciences in Wuhan and Beijing.
Schwarz also has published the books “Esmeralda” (1987) and “Geographic Origin Determination of Colored Gemstones” (2012) in addition to a number of gemological research papers.
The team at FIG will offer four reports for gemstone testing.
The Identification Report ($90) assesses authenticity, identifies possible treatments and determines color when possible, while the Origin Report ($150) adds origin specifics to the previous list.
The Special Report ($700), meanwhile, provides all of that in a folder, along with a high resolution photograph, flash drive with additional images, and an appendix with the gemologist’s comments.
The Monograph Report provides
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
all of the Special Report’s information in a folder along with two high resolution photographs of the stone from different angles, the gemologist’s comments and a map on an A4-size page for illustration.
This is priced anywhere between $3,000 and $7,000, depending on the conditions and qualifications of each stone.
FIG said it will use master sets for ruby, sapphire, emerald, pink sapphire and yellow sapphire that are certified by ICA.
The lab does not provide diamond and pearl testing services at this time since the conditions and processes for testing colored stones, diamonds and pearls are completely different from each other, but adds that they will expand to include the last two eventually.
This is priced anywhere between $3,000 and $7,000, depending on the conditions and qualifications of each stone.
FIG said it will use master sets for ruby, sapphire, emerald, pink sapphire and yellow sapphire that are certified by ICA.
The lab does not provide diamond and pearl testing services at this time since the conditions and processes for testing colored stones, diamonds and pearls are completely different from each other, but adds that they will expand to include the last two eventually.
More on Grading
The Latest
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
Weekly QuizMay 14, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
CrimeMay 14, 2026
Second Man Arrested in Florida Pawn Shop Shooting Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place StoreJack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
TrendsMay 13, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
IndependentsMay 12, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2026
The Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award Is BackThe partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 YearsThe owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers BoardJeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store EventsThe new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
