Solitaire Gemmological Laboratories is new supplier to UK’s CMJ
LONDON, January 25, 2012 – Solitaire Gemmological Laboratories (SGL), an international gem testing laboratory, has become the latest approved supplier to the Company of Master Jewellers (CMJ), the UK’s largest buying group.
The CMJ is a cooperative, grouping more than 130 independent retailers.
“We will offer special discounts to CMJ members who use our services. Our association with CMJ and their established network of independent retailers will be mutually beneficial,” said Shaheen Bandukwalla of SGL.
SGL is based in the Hatton Garden diamond jewellery district of London.
SGL will offer preferential rates on its standard price list to CMJ members, including its innovative mobile lab service to certify studded diamond jewellery on the premises of retailers, traders and manufacturers across the UK.
“We offer improved rates exclusively for CMJ members whereby they would only have to supply 20 pieces or 15 carats for us to come and visit them with our mobile lab,” Shaheen said.
“Under our regular terms of business, the client would be required to supply at least 30 pieces for us to visit them for certification.”
SGL’s mobile lab services will help CMJ members save on insurance and on having to send someone to the Hatton Garden lab.
“You don’t have to worry about either posting diamond studded jewellery or carrying pieces to the laboratory for testing,” Shaheen said.
SGL’s mobile lab team of two or more people, will visit retailers’ premises to certify their stock on-site.
They will carry the equipment required to test and analyse the diamond’s characteristics in studded conditions.
SGL loads customers’ certificates confirming the specification of the jewellery, onto its website for online verification.
Another service offered exclusively by SGL to CMJ members is the QR code, a unique barcode on the reverse of the certificate which can be scanned with a smart phone camera connecting the user directly to the online version of the certificate on the SGL website.
SGL charges on a per piece basis up to 2 carats and on a per carat basis for larger diamonds.
For commercial pieces of pique or “I” clarity, SGL charges competitive rates.
The client reimburses SGL’s travel and any accommodation costs for mobile lab visits.
SGL plans to exhibit at the CMJ’s buying events, including the next Summer exhibition in Birmingham on March 4-5, as well as at The Jewellery Show 2012 in Birmingham on February 5-9, and International Jewellery London (IJL) later in the year.
Separate from its UK operations, SGL carries out grading and certification at its seven labs in India, located in Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Thrissur, Coimbatore, Hyderabad and Pune.
