Canada's first full-service gem lab to open in Vancouver

VANCOUVER, Jan. 13 - European Gemological Laboratory opened the first Canadian full-service gemological laboratory today in Vancouver. The new lab offers to the trade and public professional gemstone identification and certification to validate their gemstone and jewelry purchases. It is also the only gem lab in Canada that grades and evaluates rough diamonds.

The lab is part of the EGL USA Group, a well-established, privately owned independent laboratory that is headquartered in New York with an office in Los Angeles. Unlike existing gem labs in Canada, it will offer a full range of services, from providing identification for rough and polished diamonds as well as pearls and colored gems, including country of origin, according to Branko Deljanin, B.Sc., FGA, D.U.G., European Gemological Laboratory's Director of Canadian Operations.

European Gemological Laboratory will also offer laser inscription of gemstones and is one of few labs specializing in diamonds that is doing advanced research in the area of treated diamonds.

The EGL USA Group opened a Canadian lab because of its growing importance as a major world diamond producer, said Deljanin. "We felt we could better serve our clients and the burgeoning Canadian jewelry trade by providing a lab here." A second lab will be opened soon in Toronto, said Deljanin.

European Gemological Laboratory European Gemological Laboratory will also offer educational programs for the Canadian jewelry trade in conjunction with Vancouver Community College and UBC.

The Vancouver lab is located in the United Kingdom Building at 409 Granville Street, Suite 456. It also offers independent appraisal services provided by its affiliate, Universal Gemological Services.

For more information, contact EGL USA's Vancouver lab, at 604-630-0464