EGL Asia offers country of origin reports and gem testing reports

EGL Asia, a Hong Kong-headquartered diamond and gemstone laboratory is extending its portfolio of identification services with the addition of country of origin reports and gem testing reports for beryllium treated stones. In the wake of a rise in sales of high-quality colored gemstones in Greater China, the lab believes there is also a corresponding increase in demand for identification reports and country of origin reports. EGL’s Asia CEO, Joseph Kuzi, reports that consumers often wish to receive a country of origin report with the purchase of jewelry that includes a quality specimen of one of the 'big three' gemstones -- emerald, ruby and sapphire. EGL Asia is.

Also, beryllium treated or diffused gemstones, predominantly sapphires, are now widely available in the international gemstone markets. "By adding these services, we join those few international labs that have the know-how, staff and the equipment to reliably determine origin and to test gemstones for these particular treatments," Kuzi stated.

Together with the enormous rise in popularity of colored gemstones in the jewelry consumer market in China, the need to test high-quality sapphires for beryllium or diffusion treatments became more apparent. Beryllium treatments cannot be detected using a standard spectrometer and instead require a laser to sample the gemstone material. This is achieved using a laser induced breakdown spectrometer (LIBS) or a laser ablation inductively couple plasma mass spectrometer. "At EGL Asia, we have the use of a LIBS," Kuzi said. Chow Tai Fook is one of EGL Asia's clients for beryllium testing of its sapphires.

"Testing precious colored gemstones for treatments requires deep knowledge and experience," Kuzi continued. "Often, we receive gemstones that have been submitted to more than one treatment, for example to traditional heat treatment as well as to a diffusion process. It takes highly professional gemologists to detect this, as you need the expertise and experience to not only operate the testing equipment, but also the ability to understand, read and report the testing results correctly."

"As one of the leading international laboratories operating in a young, quickly growing consumer market, we need to make sure consumers can rely on their suppliers and the information retailers consequently make available to the consumer. Therefore, by adding these beryllium testing and origin reporting services to our product package, we hope to contribute to the responsible growth of the gemstone market here in China," Kuzi said.