TUCSON, AZ- February 1, 2007- In support of their shared goal
of increasing consumer confidence and awareness of gemstones, International Colored
Gemstone Association (ICA) and American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) and Gem
Certification & Assurance Lab (GCAL), both subsidiaries of Collectors Universe,
announced an initiative to enter a partnership to brand third party verification
to achieve the goal of imparting consumer confidence, education and appreciation
of gemstones.
As part of the shared initiative, AGL and GCAL have been designated the Official
Gemstone and Diamond Laboratories of ICA for North America.
In pursuit of this goal, AGL and GCAL will provide value-added benefits and services
to ICA membership worldwide. The partnership offers ICA members a number of benefits,
such as complimentary grading reports, on-site training and education, co-branding
opportunities on the reports, web links, discounts on certification fees, free
shipping and insurance, and international take-in windows in major gemstone cities.
AGL and GCAL will participate in all ICA sponsored educational and promotional
events, to get the shared message out to ICA’s membership.
According to Joe Menzie, President of ICA, “We expect this partnership to
brand third party authentication to achieve our shared goal.”
“This collaborative effort between ICA, AGL and GCAL will provide ICA members
with exclusive grading incentives and services that will give them an edge in
the global diamond and gemstone marketplace,” according to Andrew Cody,
President-elect of ICA. “We are committed to this initiative for the long
term.”
“As part of our shared values, GCAL, AGL and ICA will work together to address
the important issues of social responsibilities, ethics and their impact on both
the consumer and the industry,” said Menzie.
“All of us at AGL are excited about the potential impact of our new relationship
with ICA. Our parallel interests will be of significant benefit to the entire
spectrum of colored gemstone buyers and sellers with particular focus on achieving
the highest level of consumer confidence, thereby leading to increased sales,”
said C.R. “Cap” Beesley, President of AGL.
“We thrilled to work with ICA on this initiative,” said Donald A.
Palmieri, President of GCAL. “Not only will we expand GCAL’s diamond
grading services to an international audience and further enhance the GCAL name
and reputation, but ICA members will reap significant rewards from the partnership.”
In January 2007, AGL and GCAL agreed to be the Platinum Sponsors for the 12th
Bi-Annual ICA Congress, which will take place in Dubai from May 5-9, 2007.
About International Colored Gemstone Association
ICA has members in 46 countries and is a growing organization. The ICA Congress
attracts delegates from every
mining, producing and trading center in the world that are looking to participate
in ICA activities, expand their
business connections through networking, increase their knowledge and awareness
of pressing issues affecting the
trade, and discover new industry-related products and services. The ICA Congress
also attracts many non-ICA
members from the trade, the media, and representatives of organizations from related
industries looking to network
with ICA members.
About American Gemological Laboratories
Founded in 1979 by C.R. “Cap” Beesley, American Gemological Laboratories
(AGL) has been a pioneer as the first
gemological laboratory to offer colored stone grading reports and comprehensive
gemological origin reports. AGL is
also the Official Colored Gemstone Laboratory of the Fine Jewelry CEO Summit and
the JCK Las Vegas and JCK
Invitational shows, as well as the 2007 Platinum Sponsor of the ICA (International
Colored Gemstone Association)
World Congress in Dubai.
About Gem Certification and Assurance Lab
Gem Certification & Assurance Lab (GCAL) is a subsidiary of Collectors Universe,
Inc. In addition to being the 2007
Official Diamond Grading Laboratory of the JA NY Winter Show, GCAL is also the
Official Diamond Grading
Laboratory of the 2007 Fine Jewelry CEO Summit and the 2007 JCK Las Vegas and
JCK Invitational Shows, as
well as the Platinum Sponsor of the ICA (International Colored Gemstone Association)
2007 World Congress in
Dubai. On the Internet:
www.gemfacts.com.
About Collectors Universe
Collectors Universe, Inc. is a leading provider of value added services to the
high-value collectibles, diamond and
colored gemstone markets, with the Company’s common stock traded on the
NASDAQ Global Market under the
symbol CLCT. For the most recent fiscal year, CLCT authenticated and graded over
3 million items valued at just
less than $2 billion.
Contacts:
Barbara Lipatapanlop, Executive Director
ICA
barbara@gemstone.org
TEL: 212-620-0900
C.R. “Cap” Beesley, President
AGL
agl@aglgemlab.com
TEL: 212-704-0727
Donald A. Palmieri, President
GCAL
dap@gemfacts.com
TEL: 212-869-8985