IDL opens full fledged diamond laboratory in Istanbul

At the inauguration event the first class of Turkish diamond graduates of the Dubai Diamond Academy received their diploma.

The newly opened laboratory is the first of its kind in Turkey and will offer IDL's expert diamond grading certificates assuring consumers of the quality and value of their diamond purchase. It is also the first diamond grading laboratory that has automated the colour grading process through the IDL Color Meter™, taking human error out of the equation and thus ensuring accuracy and consistency.

The IDL laboratory will operate from the Istanbul Chamber of Jewellery (IKO) headquarters in the center of Istanbul's diamond and jewellery district.

IDL also held a meeting of its international Board of Directors in Istanbul. The IDL Board includes Ahmed bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman of DMCC; Dr. David Rutledge, CEO of DMCC; Ian White, former Sales Director of DTC; Peter Gross, former Global Head of the ABN Amro Diamond and Jewellery Group and Peter Meeus, former Managing Director of HRD and the CEO of IDL.

"Considering Turkey's leading position as a jewellery manufacturing centre and its growing consumer market for high quality diamond jewellery, entering the Turkish market is an important step for us,"

said Peter Meeus, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IDL.

"Our newly established lab in Istanbul will provide diamond grading certificates for loose diamonds and diamond jewellery. Since IDL reports are a mark of trust and objectivity, consumers can rest assured that their diamond purchases are of the desired quality and retailers offering IDL certificates will have an extra edge."

Sales of rough diamonds in Turkey stand around $600m while the consumption of diamond jewellery is around $1.2bn and the consumption of diamonds has risen around 25% annually. A growing population and Turkey's position at the border of Middle East and Europe makes it an ideal location for trading and holds great potential for IDL's services.

"IDL's entry is a sign that the market is maturing and consumers and retailers are becoming more aware of the importance of diamond grading certificates. Their specialized services will definitely benefit the diamond industry as it helps to build consumer confidence. We welcome IDL's presence in the country,"

said Allaattin Kameroclu, President of IKO which represents 6000 wholesalers and retailers from the Istanbul region.

IDL will also offer specialized diamond education programmes recognized worldwide. Its first 'Advanced Programme in Diamond Grading' in Istanbul saw 12 successful candidates graduate. IDL's education programme is done in collaboration with the Dubai Diamond Academy, a division of the Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE).

IDL, which started operations in 2007 in Dubai, is also present in Antwerp, Jeddah and Mumbai and has offered many pioneering services like automated colour grading and the world's first diamond colour certificate and Arabic language certificate. It is also the first laboratory to offer diamond jewellery certification services.