IGI Timeline

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
IGI Timeline

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