CGL DIAMOND REPORT CHECK

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History of CGL

About CGL

History of CGL

Our Beginnings

CGL started with the strong desire of the founder to spread gemology in the 1960's during Japan's period of rapid economic growth. As the sale of gems became more common in Japan, no clear standard for identification or appraisal existed in the gem industry in Japan and this caused problems with gem transactions. CGL Founders Masao Namiki and Akio Takahashi started with the idea of spreading gemology in Japan. They both offered information and identified gems as they went around the country giving seminars. After this they established Central Gem Laboratory in Taito-ku, Tokyo. Their desire to create a framework for the sound sale and distribution of gems and to develop and promote the overall gem industry became a reality when in 1981 the nation's gem identification organizations came together to start the Association of Gemmological Laboratories, Japan (AGL) and discuss identification and assessment issues. The first representative of the organization was none other than one of the CGL founders, Masao Namiki.

Corporate History

1970 Central Gem Laboratory established.
Training and educational services (seminars) for gemology begin.
The service of diamond grading and gem identification begins.
1974 The Gemmological Society of Japan is established and the founders of CGL participate as founders.
1975 The first office computer in the gem identification industry is installed.
1978 The Osaka laboratory opens.
1979 The Hakata laboratory opens.
1981 The Yamanashi Kofu laboratory opens. (Now closed)
1984 The Nagoya laboratory opens.
1988 Computer data network system installed.
1991 The first Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FT-IR) is installed.
Bond jewelry inspection service starts.
1992 Business collaboration with the Diamond High Council (HRD) in Belgium.
Antwerp branch opens at HRD. (Now closed)
1993 DiaMension™ (fully automatic diamond cut estimation machine) is installed.
A computer network by ISDN is established between all branches.
The Jepars high performance pearl storage case is developed.
An integrated bonded area is opened for commercial clients and a bonded item inspection service begins.
1994 An analysis center is opened at the Tokyo branch.
Analysis equipment including an Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence chemical analysis system (EDS) is installed.
1995 The network connection at all branches was switched to an exclusive digital line.
1997 An analysis center is opened at the Osaka branch.
1998 DiamondView™ equipment introduced.
CGL developed the “Cape Detector” machine, allowed for grading to differentiate the type of diamond for the first time worldwide.
2003 The Laser Raman Micro-Spectrometer is introduced.
2004 LA-ICP-MS (Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) introduced.
Participation in The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) as technical adviser of the Japan Jewellery Association (JJA).
2006 Association of Gemmological Laboratories, Japan (AGL) introduces the GIA cut grading system.
Became a member of the CIBJO Colored Stone Steering Committee.
2011 CGL announces its participation in LMHC (Laboratory Manual Harmonisation Committee).
A technical business collaboration is concluded with the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (GIT).
2012 Gem research room established at the head office (largest gem research room in Japan).

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