The Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies (IDI) has taken a decision to revamp its deliverables to accommodate the evolving needs of the global diamond industry. For this, it has repositioned its existing diamond grading laboratory, beginning with the name itself. The new name for the lab which began in 1977, now reads as “World Gemological Institute” (WGI).

“The Israel Diamond Institute has operated the lab as an outreach of our non-profit activities to support the industry and has invested in the lab’s growth to become a global provider for consumers’ need for an independent, non-biased diamond grading report, along with their diamond purchase," said Yinon Feldheim, managing director of the new World Gemological Institute.

IDI will also be implementing a new marketing programme in the U.S., for which it has sought support of MVI Marketing, Ltd. (MVI) of California. Feldheim added “We now know more about what the consumer wants based on our extensive consumer research done by MVI’s research division, Jewelry Consumer Opinion Council (JCOC), and we plan on sharing this knowledge with retailers around the world to help their diamond sales.”

The programme would inform diamond dealers, jewelry manufacturers and retailers in the U.S. about the WGI services along with a five- year consumer awareness and educational programme. The programme would launch in January 2008.