The International Gemological Institute (IGI), the world’s largest independent gemological laboratory, has joined the membership of the World Diamond Council (WDC), an industry association dedicated to protecting the integrity of natural diamonds and their distribution chain.

Created in 2000, the mission of the WDC is to ensure that all natural diamonds are handled, from mine to market, according to universal principles of human rights, labor rights, anti-corruption, and anti-money laundering.

“We are pleased to join the World Diamond Council and support their mission,” stated Roland Lorie, IGI CEO. “IGI has been committed to best industry practices since we were founded 48 years ago. We look forward to sharing our experience with the WDC membership in the interest of strengthening the integrity of natural diamond supply chains together.”

Other prominent WDC members include Tiffany & Co, Signet, Chow Tai Fook, DeBeers, the Responsible Jewellery Council, World Jewellery Confederation, World Federation of Diamond Bourses, and Antwerp World Diamond Center, among others. The membership includes entities from all trade sectors, from rough diamond producers to retail jewelers, making it one of the only industry bodies where the supply chain is represented in full.

“IGI is a proactive supporter of social responsibility in the diamond, gem, and jewelry trade, stated Avi Levy, IGI North American President. “In 2021 IGI became the first gemological institute to commit to carbon neutrality, launching the Jewelers On A Mission thought-leadership campaign promoting sustainability efforts among jewelry professionals. Since last year, IGI locations have started achieving carbon neutrality in accordance with SCS Global Services and BSI PAS 2060 standards.”