GII Board decided to start Pearl Testing in its 134th meeting and Chairman advised Dr. Reddy to visit DANAT, Bahrain. DANAT is one of the two best Testing laboratories for Pearls. It was also decided to explore the possibility of collaboration between GII and DANAT. Details were discussed in two online meeting a priori where Mrs. Noora Jamsheer, CEO, DANAT, Shri. Mehul Shah, Chairman, GII and others participated. After initial exchanges of mails and online meetings GII conveyed that they look forward for collaboration with DANAT, Bahrain. Mrs. Noora welcomed the idea of collaboration and sent a program that was finalized during online meetings.
Dr. AVR Reddy, CEO, GII and Shri. S.N. Desai, Trustee, GII, visited DANAT during 14th & 15th May 2025.
An interaction meeting with DANAT Scientific Personal was arranged by them that included a visit to their Pearl Testing laboratory facilities. The following members participated in the meeting.
Shri. Shripal Desai, Trustee GII, Dr. AVR Reddy, CEO, GII, Mrs. Noora Jamsheer, CEO, DANAT, Mr. Ramadan Mete, DANAT. The meeting started with a brief presentation of DANAT activities by Mrs. Noora. She explained that DANAT tests only natural pearls and first step thus is to discriminate cultured pearls from natural pearls. She enumerated various Testing Methodologies of Pearls, quantum of test samples as well as future outlook. Dr. Reddy presented the ongoing activities of GII. The presentation included Gem Testing, Diamond Grading and Origin determination of color Gemstones and utilization of advanced spectroscopic measurements. He also presented R&D that is being carried out on Diamonds and color Gemstones. Based on significant contributions made by GII in R&D, he informed that the Government of India recognized GII as a Scientific and Industrial Research organization (SIRO).
Since its inception in 1971, GII has been serving G&J Industry by providing trained manpower in Diamond grading and Gemology. GII training courses/diplomas and its teaching methodologies including hands on training with simple equipment are well appreciated by G&J industry. He concluded his presentation by stating that GII look forward to start Pearl Testing as well as collaboration with DANAT.
After a brief discussion and presentations, Dr. Reddy and Mr. Desai were taken on a tour of the DANAT laboratories wherein testing equipment were shown and explained. Subsequently all the members discussed about possible collaboration, required equipment for pearl testing and modus operandi DANAT proposed a model of co-operation in which GII would do initial testing of pearls and take help of DANAT for handling advanced testing and in finalizing certification. However, Mr. Desai conveyed that it has to be further discussed in view of constraints in sending test samples to DANAT, back and forth. GII also conveyed that Gem Testing equipment might as well as developed by GII.
The meeting ended by assurances by both the teams that all will work towards a common goal namely achieving expertise in Pearl Testing. GII volunteered that the expertise on origin determination of color gemstones by GII would be shared with DANAT, if they wish so.
It was agreed that a draft MOU will be prepared by DANAT and sent to GII in a months’ time which will be vetted by GII.
Shri Shyam Jagannathan, Development Commissioner (DC), SEEPZ-SEZ was invited to visit GII laboratories in BDB complex on 3rd October. He visited B tower lab and was highly impressed about the services as well as clarity with which they are provided to various customers for discriminating their diamonds. For a query on Kiosk charges, Shri Mehulbhai Shah, Vice President, BDB conveyed that charges amount to less than Rs. 4 per cart for star melees, which is the cheapest in the world. He interacted with customers and GII employees manning Kiosk.
DC then visited laboratory and saw 6 laser Raman microscope and other instruments. He was highly impressed and appreciated with the utilisation of high tech equipment in solving various tricky problems associated with characterisation of diamonds. He asked about radiation effects on diamonds and was curious to know the correlation of depth profile and role of radiation treatment on diamonds. He was very happy with logical explanation based on systematic measurement data. DC assured to support all activities that GII proposed to set up in SEEPZ-SEZ. At that juncture, Shri Anoopbhai Mehta, chairman, GII and President, BDP explained “ —- GII is one of the reliable institutes that has expertise is R&D and use of instruments and carry out focused R&D to solve various R&D issues. That is the reason why GII was invited a decade back to open its branch in BDB and serve G&J industry with its R&D, testing services and education programs. There is no doubt that GII will continue to contribute to R&D in the years to come. GII success is due to dedication of employees and trustees as well as faith by customers.—”
Shri Mehulbhai Shah, Shri Anupbhai Zaveri, Managing Trustee, GII and Shri Sandesh Mane, Head, GII labs in BDB besides Shri Anoopbhai Mehta, Chairman, GII represented GII and provided many a clarification. Later chairman accompanied DC to GII laboratory in G tower and explained about the GII Services in G tower and working of various instruments that are being used. DC was highly impressed with the expertise available with GII, proactive role by chairman and other trustees as well as BDP authorities.
From Left to Right: Shri Sandesh Mane and Shri Shyam Jagnnathan.
From Left to Right: Shri Praveen, Seepz, Shri Anupbhai Zaver, Shri Shyam Jagannathan and Shri Sandesh Mane
From Left to Right : Shri Shyam Jagganathan, Shri Anil Chaudhary, Seepz, Shri Mehulbhai Shah, Shri Anoopbhai Mehta, Shri Anupbhai Zaveri.
From Left to Right: Shri Sandesh Mane, Shri Shyam Jagannathan, Shri Anupbhai Zaveri and Shri Mehulbhai Shah
1. Bhabha Atomic research centre (BARC) has organised a two day theme meeting on Strategic Planning for Research Reactor Utilization (RRU-2022) during 6-7 May 2022 at Anushakti nagar Mumbai and Dharmendrakumar Chauhan, Nanddeep Keer and Dr. AVR Reddy of GII participated. A research contribution was poster presented (by Dharmendrakumar and Nanddeep) and an invited talk was delivered by Dr. Reddy.
2. GII has developed a quantitative method to estimate the low levels of cubic zirconia in diamond powder by using EDXRF and validated using Neutron Activation Analysis. It was poster presented in the conference. It was well received.
3. Dr. AVR Reddy was invited to give a talk on future work on Utilization of research reactors in coloured gemstones and diamonds, and he presented some of the earlier work and possible work that can be carried out using reactor neutrons.
4. One of the Trustees, Shri. Shripalkumar Desai spoke in a panel discussion on the status of Neutron irradiations for quality improvement.
Outcome: The results of the estimation of CZ, obtained by EDXRF and NAA methods are in reasonable agreement, as the difference is insignificant. EDXRF method can be used to quantify CZ in the binary systems of diamond Powder and coating of Zirconia. Presentations by other scientists and discussions with them during these two days are very useful.
Gemmological Institute of India, Mumbai, and the National Gem Testing Center, China has entered a historical agreement between them for the development and promotion of various technical and trade-related aspects connected to the Diamond Industry which will be of mutual benefit to both countries.
Gemmological Institute of India, Mumbai and National Gem Testing Center, China has entered an historical agreement between them for development and promotion of various technical and trade related aspects connected to Diamond Industry which will be of mutual benefit to both the countries.
The MOU is signed by Mr. Bakul R. Mehta, Chairman of GII and Mr. Ye Zhibin, Director of NGTC.
The agreement has paved the way for working together to reinforce the scientific and technical collaboration, and agree to mutually exchange their gem expertise, in particular, the mutual exchange concerning gem and Jewellery grading standards, and utilize this expertise in service to the gem and Jewellery industries in both countries. The close collaboration can help both NGTC and GII strengthening and enhancing gem and Jewellery trade between China and India.
GII and NGTC shall have technical and material collaboration to bring exchange of experience in the form of training course, supporting in acquisition and installation of new materials and equipment, acquisition or donation of sample.
The Collaboration will be a step forward in strengthening the trade relations between the two countries especially in Diamond Trade and Industry. This will definitely give a fillip to the exports of diamonds from India to China.
©2025 GII | All Rights Reserved | Web Design Services by GIII
