TIMELINE

1975 - 1985

• IGI was established in 1975 and is the oldest laboratory in Antwerp today.
• IGI's School of Gemology was the first to offer classes covering rough diamonds
• IGI’s Laserscribe System Mark patent introduced laser inscription to the diamonds industry.
• IGI was the first laboratory to issue Jewelry Identification Reports
• IGI was the only laboratory in the world providing repair and re-cut of diamonds
• IGI was the first lab to seal diamonds for protection purpose
• IGI developed the first comprehensive diamond cut grading chart

1986 - 1999

• IGI was first to permanently inscribe diamond tables using ion beam technology
• IGI became fully equipped to identify any kind of synthetic diamond
• IGI developed UV-VIS-NIR spectrometry to identify treated diamonds
• IGI developed its own photoluminescence spectrometer to identify HPHT-processed diamonds
• IGI was the first laboratory to go worldwide under one management (today 18 offices)

2000 – Present

• IGI developed an innovative system for the grading of small diamonds
• IGI was first to issue co-branded grading reports in cooperation with renowned jewelry brands
• IGI introduced hands-on courses to factories for the purpose of improving manufacturing
• IGI introduced supplemental courses to sales people and enthusiasts to improve their professional knowledge
• IGI created the Hearts and Arrows Diamond Reports with worldwide recognition