GCAL Earns ISO 17025:2005 Accreditation
New York (April 24, 2008)– After a rigid auditing period, Gem Certification and Assurance Lab (GCAL) was awarded ISO 17025:2005 accreditation, meaning that it conforms to recognized international standards for accurate and reliable grading. Specifically, this recognition means that GCAL's lab is rated among the most technically competent in the world.
Laboratory Accreditation Bureau (LAB), the firm that performs Certification assessment, provides third party attestation of technical confidence. "Laboratory tests are supposed to be repeatable and verifiable—we should all be doing it the same way," explains Jason Stine, Testing Program Manager for LAB. Currently, GCAL is the only diamond grading lab in North America to earn this prestigious certification, and it is one of only three diamond grading labs in the world that is ISO 17025:2005 accredited.
This coveted certification stands for reassurance and minimal risk. An accredited lab offers several distinctions for its customers including accurate grading the first time/less retesting, enhancing consumer confidence, and making goods more easily accepted overseas. Because ISO is internationally recognized, exporters don't have to retest for most other markets: Over 40 laboratory accreditation bodies have signed a multilateral recognition statement called the ILAC Arrangement, which greatly enhances the acceptance of data across the borders of member countries.
GCAL will continue to be tested periodically to ensure compliance with all regulations and standards. According to Donald A. Palmieri, President of GCAL, ISO accreditation is a tremendous milestone in the company’s growth and expansion. "We are very proud to be the first lab in this country to conform to ISO laboratory standards, and we see it as a testament to offering the most reliable and accurate grading in the industry. Our customers expect more from GCAL, and we want to live up to that expectation regardless of the time, effort or cost it takes to be the best."
About Certified Diamond Exchange
Certified Diamond Exchange (CDE) is a subsidiary of Certified Luxury Exchange, Inc. a unit of Collectors
Universe, Inc., a NASDAQ Global Markets traded company (CLCT NASDAQ listed). CDE was launched to
provide retail jewelers with a stable source of diamonds that are certified for the authenticity and quality
ratings, especially in color and clarity, with the service provided by Gem Certification & Assurance Lab
(GCAL) that offers the Zero Tolerance Consumer Grading Guarantee. For diamond retailers, CDE is a FREE
and simple and convenient way to obtain GCAL certified diamonds that are consistently and accurately
graded for presentation to the customer. GCAL is recognized as the first North American diamond grading
lab to earn ISO 17025:2005 accreditation, meaning that it conforms to recognized international standards for
accurate and reliable grading.
About Gem Certification and Assurance Lab
Gem Certification & Assurance Lab (GCAL) is a subsidiary of Collectors Universe, Inc., a
NASDAQ Global Markets traded company (CLCT NASDAQ listed). GCAL provides guaranteed
diamond certification with bundled services including Gemprint and direct light performance
analysis as well as SourceVeritas and Ideal Cut certificates (www.gemfacts.com). GCAL is the
Official Diamond Laboratory of the International Colored Gemstone Association for North
America, Fine Jewelry CEO Summit, JCK – Las Vegas, JCK Invitational show, Couture 2007,
and the JA New York Shows. GCAL also is the Oasis Lounge sponsor of the Premiere, Prestige
Promenade and Luxury by JCK shows.
About Collectors Universe
Collectors Universe, Inc. is a leading provider of value added services to the high value collectibles, diamond
and gemstone markets. The Company authenticates and grades collectible coins, sports, cards, autographs,
stamps, currency, diamonds and colored gemstones. The Company also compiles and publishes authoritative
information about United States and world coins, collectible sports cards and sports memorabilia, collectible
stamps, diamonds and gemstones. This information is accessible to collectors and dealers at the Company’s
Web site, www.collectors.com, and is also published in print.
Contacts
Don Palmieri
dap@gemfacts.com
212-869-8985