HRD Antwerp has opened a gemological lab in Istanbul, Turkey’s jewellery and commercial centre. This is the first HRD Antwerp lab launched outside Antwerp, and the initiative follows HRD Antwerp’s plans of establishing a link with diamond jewellery hubs overseas.

Istanbul holds the status as one of the world's major jewellery hubs. HRD Antwerp announced opening its lab in Istabul at the Istanbul Jewelry Show.

The Istanbul, lab will offer on-the-spot diamond jewellery certification services to Turkish jewellers, enabling a boost in consumer confidence towards Turkish jewellery by providing jewellery purchasers with an independent, objective analysis of jewellery items. Turkish jewellery manufacturers can receive jewellery reports from the local lab with a minimum waiting time and no overseas shipment costs.

“We look forward to a succesful partnership with the Istanbul jewellery industry," said HRD Antwerp General Manager Georges Brys. "We see this as a natural partnership between two cities with a long history – Antwerp for diamonds and Istanbul for jewellery."

HRD Antwerp will provide its scientific know-how and experience, to deliver objective evaluations of diamonds and precious metals used in jewellery. The HRD Antwerp Jewellery Report provides an accurate description of the weight of the jewel and the precious metals used. The number of diamonds set in the jewel, their, shape, carat, colour, clarity and full cut are also clearly stated. In addition, the HRD Antwerp Jewellery Report also provides an additional tool for insurance companies, which will be able to refer to a document that clearly defines the client’s premium.