The Gemological Institute of America announced the AGT Gem Laboratory in Tokyo will begin operations as a GIA LabDirect consolidator on Monday, April 2.

GIA announced the creation of LabDirect in August as a way to widen access to its laboratory services by setting up an international network of local take-in windows and consolidators to serve more local areas.

According to Tom Moses, senior vice president � GIA Laboratory and Research, �GIA is expanding its presence internationally and we want to make our services accessible to more people.�

Each consolidator will act as a diamond industry forwarding service by consolidating diamonds from local regions and shipping them to the GIA Laboratory.

These local drop-off and pick-up shipment points help the maximum number of clients move their goods to the GIA Laboratory to get the services they want in a safe, expedient and cost-effective way.

A consolidator also prepares the stones for shipping to GIA with an agreed-upon protocol, communicates grading results to the end clients, and is responsible for collecting payment.

Yoshiko Doi, president of the AGT Gem Laboratory, said, �We�re glad to be a part of GIA LabDirect and its efforts to bring GIA�s international services conveniently and safely to customers in Japan.�