The Gemological Institute of America's India branch, GIA India announced the launch of its new pearl identification laboratory in Mumbai. Held at the picturesque rooftop of the Trident Hotel facing the queen’s necklace in Mumbai’s Nariman Point the lab was launched in the august presence of Sriram Natarajan, MD, GIA India, Apoorva Deshingkar, Senior Director, Education & Market Development, GIA India, Dr. Chunhui Zhou, Senior Manager Pearl Identification, GIA New York, Abeer Al-Alawi and Nicholas Struman, Consultants to GIA India, among several other dignitaries from the gem and jewellery industry. Tom Moses, GIA Executive Vice President and Chief Laboratory and Research Officer, who was unable to attend the event sent a message that was ready by Sriram Natarajan that read, “Pearls were among the first gems that GIA reported on. In fact, the GIA laboratory in New York City first started testing pearls in the 1930s. GIA applies the same identification and tracking procedures to pearls as it does to coloured stones and diamonds.” 

Sriram Natarajan in his address, said, “India – particularly Mumbai – has had a longstanding reputation for being an important trading hub for natural pearls. GIA India’s trusted and independent pearl evaluation laboratory in Mumbai will not only provide an unbiased assessment of pearls, but also give Indian pearl dealers local access to a globally-recognised report.” Susan Jacques, GIA President and CEO, said, “GIA has 90-year history of protecting the gem and jewellery-buying public through research, education and science-based gem grading and identification services for the trade.” The lab to offer GIA Pearl Identification Report along with several add-on and specialty services such as nacre thickness, Monograph™, Portrait™ Report, Notable Letter and more.