Diamond Market Veteran Howard Pomerantz Joins Gem Certification & Assurance Lab As
Executive Vice President.
Pomerantz will work closely with GCAL President Don Palmieri in executing business
strategy to continue the growth of the company in the diamond authentication and
grading business.
New York, May 22, 2007 -- Gem Certification Assurance & Lab (GCAL) announced today that
diamond market veteran Howard Pomerantz has joined the company as Executive Vice President.
Pomerantz will work closely with GCAL President Don Palmieri in executing business strategy
to continue the growth of the company in the diamond authentication and grading business.
Pomerantz has been in the diamond business since 1971. Most recently, he was the Executive Director
for GIA Instruments for six years and has held other senior positions with companies in jewelry
instrumentation and diamond settings where he has designed or has patents on diamond optical scanning
device software and gemological microscopes. Pomerantz holds an Executive MBA degree in
International Trade and Marketing from Pepperdine University.
“I believe that Don Palmieri and GCAL are taking important and significant steps to increase consumer
confidence with the Zero Tolerance Consumer Grading Guarantee”, stated Pomerantz. “I am pleased to
be a part of GCAL, a company that is in the process of changing for the better the way diamonds are
marketed and sold. It is enjoyable to be associated with the integrity that GCAL represents while receiving
the support and encouragement of its NASDAQ-traded, public company parent, where high quality
marketing is assisting in the sale of an increasing share luxury goods.”
“Howard Pomerantz brings tremendous insight and benefits to GCAL,” commented Palmieri. “Not only
does Howard have great relationships, but because of those relationships and the recognition Howard
holds within the industry, we believe that Howard’s contribution to GCAL has already begun just with this
announcement. With Howard’s assistance, we intend to make buying a diamond a positive and safe
experience for the consumer. Howard will carry that message to the diamond suppliers and
manufacturers, so we can help the entire distribution chain obtain more of the luxury buying dollar in the
marketplace.”
About Howard Pomerantz
Howard Pomerantz has served for six years as the Executive Director of GIA Instruments where
he designed, patented or improved diamond optical scanners and microscopes for the industry. In
1990, he joined Kerr Lab as Vice President and General Manager where he implemented
strategic plans to develop innovative instruments for jewelry manufacturers an educational
marketing approach for the industry. In 1985, he founded Premier Jewelry and Diamond Settings
Group, Inc., producing diamond settings, which was later acquired by another firm in the
industry. In 1978, he served in a senior management position with Hallmark–Healy, a diamond
settings firm and in 1971, he was sales manager for Englehard/Baker Settings Corporation
working in the diamond wholesale market.
In 2000, Mr. Pomerantz earned his Presidential and Key Executive Masters Degree (PKE/MBA)
in International Business from Pepperdines’ prestigious Graduate School of Business.
Mr. Pomerantz is involved in numerous industry associations including the Manufacturing
Jewelers and Suppliers of America (MJSA), CIBJO, World Diamond Council, World Federation
of Diamond Bourses, the Jewelers 24kt Club and in 2006, was bestowed an honorary title,
“Ambassador to the United States” from the Israel Diamond Bourse. Mr. Pomerantz has been a
guest lecturer at jewelry industry forums held in Switzerland, Italy, China, India and China.
About Gem Certification and Assurance Lab
Gem Certification & Assurance Lab (GCAL) is a subsidiary of Collectors Universe, Inc., a NASDAQ Global Markets traded
company (NASDAQ: CLCT). GCAL provides guaranteed diamond certification with bundled services including Gemprint™
and direct light performance analysis as well as Source Veritas™ and Ideal Cut certificates (www.gemfacts.com). GCAL is
the Official Diamond Laboratory of JCK-Las Vegas, JCK invitational Show, Couture 2007, the International Colored
Gemstone Association for North America and the JA New York Shows. GCAL is also the Oasis Lounge sponsor of the
Premiere, the Prestige Promenade and the 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
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:
Donald A. Palmieri, President
Gem Certification & Assurance Lab
dap@gemfacts.com
212-869-8985