ICA, AGL and GCAL Announce Ground Breaking Consumer Confidence Initiative
TUCSON, AZ- February 1, 2007- In support of their shared goal of increasing consumer
confidence and awareness of gemstones, International Colored Gemstone Association
(ICA) and American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) and Gem Certification & Assurance
Lab (GCAL), both subsidiaries of Collectors Universe, announced an initiative to
enter a partnership to brand third party verification to achieve the goal of imparting
consumer confidence, education and appreciation of gemstones.
As part of the shared initiative, AGL and GCAL have been designated the Official
Gemstone and Diamond Laboratories of ICA for North America.
In pursuit of this goal, AGL and GCAL will provide value-added benefits and services
to ICA membership worldwide. The partnership offers ICA members a number of benefits,
such as complimentary grading reports, on-site training and education, co-branding
opportunities on the reports, web links, discounts on certification fees, free shipping
and insurance, and international take-in windows in major gemstone cities. AGL and
GCAL will participate in all ICA sponsored educational and promotional events, to
get the shared message out to ICA’s membership.
According to Joe Menzie, President of ICA, “We expect this partnership to brand
third party authentication to achieve our shared goal.”
“This collaborative effort between ICA, AGL and GCAL will provide ICA members with
exclusive grading incentives and services that will give them an edge in the global
diamond and gemstone marketplace,” according to Andrew Cody, President-elect of
ICA. “We are committed to this initiative for the long term.”
“As part of our shared values, GCAL, AGL and ICA will work together to address the
important issues of social responsibilities, ethics and their impact on both the
consumer and the industry,” said Menzie.
“All of us at AGL are excited about the potential impact of our new relationship
with ICA. Our parallel interests will be of significant benefit to the entire spectrum
of colored gemstone buyers and sellers with particular focus on achieving the highest
level of consumer confidence, thereby leading to increased sales,” said C.R. “Cap”
Beesley, President of AGL.
“We thrilled to work with ICA on this initiative,” said Donald A. Palmieri, President
of GCAL. “Not only will we expand GCAL’s diamond grading services to an international
audience and further enhance the GCAL name and reputation, but ICA members will
reap significant rewards from the partnership.”
In January 2007, AGL and GCAL agreed to be the Platinum Sponsors for the 12 Bi-
Annual ICA Congress, which will take place in Dubai from May 5-9, 2007.
About International Colored Gemstone Association
ICA has members in 46 countries and is a growing organization. The ICA Congress
attracts delegates from every mining, producing and trading center in the world
that are looking to participate in ICA activities, expand their business connections
through networking, increase their knowledge and awareness of pressing issues affecting
the trade, and discover new industry-related products and services. The ICA Congress
also attracts many non-ICA members from the trade, the media, and representatives
of organizations from related industries looking to network with ICA members.
About American Gemological Laboratories
Founded in 1979 by C.R. “Cap” Beesley, American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) has
been a pioneer as the first gemological laboratory to offer colored stone grading
reports and comprehensive gemological origin reports. AGL is also the Official Colored
Gemstone Laboratory of the Fine Jewelry CEO Summit and the JCK Las Vegas and JCK
Invitational shows, as well as the 2007 Platinum Sponsor of the ICA (International
Colored Gemstone Association) World Congress in Dubai.
About Gem Certification and Assurance Lab
Gem Certification & Assurance Lab (GCAL) is a subsidiary of Collectors Universe,
Inc. In addition to being the 2007 Official Diamond Grading Laboratory of the JA
NY Winter Show, GCAL is also the Official Diamond Grading Laboratory of the 2007
Fine Jewelry CEO Summit and the 2007 JCK Las Vegas and JCK Invitational Shows, as
well as the Platinum Sponsor of the ICA (International Colored Gemstone Association)
2007 World Congress in Dubai. On the Internet: www.gemfacts.com.
About Collectors Universe Collectors Universe, Inc. is a leading provider of value
added services to the high-value collectibles, diamond and colored gemstone markets,
with the Company’s common stock traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol
CLCT. For the most recent fiscal year, CLCT authenticated and graded over 3 million
items valued at just less than $2 billion.
Contacts:
Barbara Lipatapanlop, Executive Director
ICA
barbara@gemstone.org
TEL: 212-620-0900
C.R. “Cap” Beesley, President
AGL
agl@aglgemlab.com
TEL: 212-704-0727
Donald A. Palmieri, President
GCAL
dap@gemfacts.com
TEL: 212-869-8985