Kennedy Ho, Chairman of the Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences Laboratory (AIGS)
is someone who is used to tackling
challenges and forging solutions. About a year ago
he began thinking how he might form
relationships with other gemological laboratories,
with a similar vision to AIGS, in a way that would be
mutually beneficial to all. He landed on the idea of forming an alliance where labs would maintain
their independence but agree to share their
research and data with one another. As the idea
began to take shape, 'Gem Alliance' emerged as
both a framework for the cooperation and the
name for which it would be known. In November
of 2017, the Gem Alliance was formerly launched
when AIGS and GGTL Laboratories (GemLab and GemTechLab) announced their cooperation. The
decision was reached between AIGS Lab chairman
Kennedy Ho and the founders of GGTL, Franck
Notari and Dr. Thomas Hainschwang, to formally
enter the cooperation based on the sharing of
information and gemological data.
"We recognized that by working together, we
make our labs stronger, which led to the decision to
form this alliance," said Ho. The AIGS Lab, based in
Bangkok, serves the gem and jewelry industry and
the public alike with a comprehensive range of
gemstone and jewelry analysis reports. Founded by
the Ho Group, AIGS is celebrating its 40th
anniversary in 2018.
GGTL Laboratories (GemLab and GemTechLab),
based in Geneva and Liechtenstein, is a 20-yearold,
full-service, independent gemological testing
lab. Founded and managed by renowned
gemological experts and researchers Franck Notari
and Dr. Thomas Hainschwang, GGTL's team of
professional gemologists provide the complete
range of lab services for diamonds, gemstones and
pearls, with specialist focus on a number of
advanced fields of research, including fancy
colored diamonds and synthetic diamond
detection.
Following closely on the heels of the official launch,
AIGS announced in February this year that Japan Germany Gemmological Laboratories (JGGL) had
joined the Gem Alliance. The fourth member of
Gem Alliance, Masaki Furuya, President of JGGL,
was welcomed during the Tucson gem shows. In
1995, Masashi Furuya founded JGGL in Kofu city,
an important gemstone area in central Japan, with
Prof. Dr. Hermann Bank of D.Gem.G. and Prof.
Akira Chikayama as technical advisors. In 2007,
Masashi Furuya passed away and was succeeded
by his son, Masaki, who currently runs the
laboratory. Masaki Furuya commented on the
cooperation: "The gemstone industry is challenged
by the discovery of new gemstones, treatments
and developments of technology applied in gem
testing, and believe that, under this international
alliance, we can share up-to-date knowledge and
continue contributing to the worldwide gemstone
industry." Following the announcement of the new
Gem Alliance member, Ho commented: "With
JGGL joining Gem Alliance, we have taken another
step towards making the alliance stronger through
the sharing of research data and information."
For more information, contact:
AIGS Lab: info@aigsthailand.com
GGTL: laboratory@ggtl-lab.org
JGGL: jggl@sapphire.co.jp
AIGS Chairman Kennedy Ho and Dr. Thomas Hainschwang of GGTL Laboratories welcomed Masaki Furuya of JGGL to the Gem Alliance during the Tucson gem shows.