The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has announced plans to shut down its laboratory operations in Ramat Gan, Israel, by year-end 2024. This decision follows a sustained drop in submissions from local clients, reflecting broader changes in the global diamond industry. Despite cost-cutting efforts, including reduced staffing through attrition, the Ramat Gan laboratory has become financially unsustainable.

"Israel remains a key hub for specialized diamond cutting and polishing," said GIA President and CEO Susan Jacques, emphasizing that GIA will continue supporting Israeli clients through other GIA locations.

GIA has ensured that all diamonds currently at the Ramat Gan facility will be returned with the requested GIA reports. Starting November 17, submissions will be accepted at the Ramat Gan lab but routed to other GIA locations for processing. GIA has committed to covering any additional shipping fees for local clients who would have previously used the Ramat Gan lab, though regular shipping costs will still apply for other submissions.

To maintain local access for walk-in clients in Israel, GIA is working on a third-party submission process. Details on this service, which will facilitate shipment to other GIA labs, will be announced soon.

Clients with questions are encouraged to contact the GIA Ramat Gan office at ramatganlab@gia.edu. For press inquiries, Stephen Morisseau at smorisse@gia.edu or +1 760-603-4411 is available for further information.