ICA-GemLab, a globally recognized authority in diamonds, gemstones, and jewelry, is set to inaugurate India's inaugural gemological laboratory in Surat, Gujarat, in October 2026. This strategic move aims to bring crucial testing and reporting capabilities closer to the heart of India's vibrant diamond and jewelry manufacturing and trading sectors. The laboratory will specialize in evaluating diamonds, colored gemstones, and finished jewelry, providing comprehensive services to an array of industry stakeholders, including producers, distributors, retailers, brands, designers, and end-users. This expansion signifies ICA-GemLab's commitment to delivering accessible, high-standard gemological services in key global markets.

The establishment of this laboratory in Surat is a pivotal step in ICA-GemLab's global strategy. Surat is renowned as a primary hub for diamond and jewelry production and commerce worldwide. By situating the facility here, ICA-GemLab ensures that its advanced testing services are available at the manufacturing and trading stages of the supply chain, well before products reach the consumer market. This direct access to expert analysis is expected to enhance transparency and confidence in the quality and authenticity of gems and jewelry originating from the region.

As the first ICA-GemLab establishment in the Indian subcontinent, the Surat laboratory will operate in close coordination with the organization’s headquarters in Bangkok and existing branches in Dubai and Hong Kong. This interconnected network underscores a unified approach to upholding rigorous reporting standards and professional practices across all ICA-GemLab operations, ensuring consistency and reliability globally.

Kalpesh Desai, appointed as Director of ICA-GemLab India, emphasized the importance of this new venture. He highlighted India’s dominant role in diamond processing, with Surat at its core, and articulated the laboratory’s mission to provide direct access to internationally recognized analytical methods and reporting standards. Desai stated that their long-term vision involves offering dependable gemological data, validated methodologies, and analyses that empower both traders and consumers to make informed choices.

Amira Hatta, Managing Director of ICA-GemLab Global, reiterated India's critical position in the international gems and jewelry industry. She noted that opening a laboratory in Surat would seamlessly integrate their analytical expertise into this vital market, allowing clients to conveniently access services where their business operations are concentrated. The Surat laboratory is equipped to issue three distinct types of reports: Diamond Reports, Colored Gemstone Reports, and Jewellery Reports, extending its services to a broad spectrum of industry participants.

This expansion into Surat represents a significant milestone in ICA-GemLab’s ongoing growth, further solidifying its presence and influence in the global gemological landscape. With its headquarters in Bangkok and additional offices in Dubai and Hong Kong, plus a partnership with Sri Lanka’s National Gem & Jewellery Authority, ICA-GemLab continues to broaden its reach and reinforce its commitment to excellence in gem testing and appraisal.