GIA and Hong Kong Officials Celebrate New Lab
CARLSBAD, Calif., September 22, 2010 – The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) formally opened its fifth international laboratory with a quick cut of a ribbon on September 15, 2010, at its new location on Queens Road in Hong Kong.
More than 125 industry leaders and media members were on hand to mark the occasion.
From left to right: Kathryn Kimmel, vice president and CMO of GIA; Gregory So, undersecretary of Commerce and Economic Development for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Donna Baker, president and CEO of GIA; Dr. Cheng Yu Tung, chairman of the New World Development; and Tom Moses, senior vice president of the GIA Laboratory and Research. Images courtesy of GIA Hong Kong
“The Hong Kong trade is so vibrant, it’s essential to be here,” said Donna Baker, GIA president and CEO, as she officially opened the lab, noting that the Institute has operated a diamond and gemstone take-in facility there for four years and a school for nearly 20.
“Hong Kong is home to a thriving and sophisticated gem and jewellery industry. Hundreds of students have successfully completed their Graduate Gemologist education programmes with us and have created fulfilling careers in retail, manufacturing and design, among others,” she said. “We believe our lab will make it even more convenient for those professionals to access our services and promulgate the international gemological standards GIA has established in its nearly 80-year history.”
Donna Baker, GIA president and CEO with Simon Galpin, director-general of
Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong
Officiating at the opening were Lawrence Ma, the founding chairman of the Diamond Federation of Hong Kong; Gregory So, undersecretary of Commerce and Economic Development for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Dr. Cheng Yu Tung, Chairman, New World Group; Ephraim Zion, managing director of Dehres Ltd., and GIA board member; Thomas Moses, senior vice president of GIA Laboratory and Research; Wai Man Cheng, director of the Hong Kong Laboratory; and Kathryn Kimmel, vice president and chief Marketing officer for GIA.
Several guests made comments about the new facility, including So who said Hong Kong was a natural step for GIA because the city has all of the resources to promote growth — it is strategically located in one of the world’s most vibrant consumer markets.
Tom Moses, senior vice president of GIA Laboratory and Research provides a lab tour to attendees
Ma said GIA has been protecting consumer confidence in gemstones around the world for more than 75 years and that opening in Hong Kong would enhance its presence in the growing China consumer market.
Baker concurred, adding that GIA is “committed to providing Asian jewellery professionals with the latest gemological research, education and laboratory services.”
The attendees toured the state-of-the-art lab, which will offer on-site services for GIA Diamond Grading Reports and Diamond Dossiers, laser inscription and diamond sealing services.
The new laboratory’s address is:
Room 1411, New World Tower
18 Queen’s Road Central
Hong Kong
