Presidential Address by Shri. Kiritlal K. Doshi, Chairman, Gemmological Institute of India

Ladies & Gentlemen,

It is indeed a privilege and pleasure for me to address this Annual Convocation of the Gemmological Institute of India (GII) which has completed 32 years in the service of Gem and Jewellery industry. The year is also very significant in the history of the institute as our 100th batch of the gemmology diploma course passed out this year. As you are aware, the GII had very humble beginning in 1971 with borrowed instruments and a very small capital but the GII has today grown into an international organization representing the country on the gemmological map of the world.

Brief History Of GII

Friends, turning briefly to the history of the institute, I feel proud that GII has crossed many milestones during the last three decades.

I recall that in 1966, when I wrote the first letter to the world famous Gemmologist, Mr. Basil Anderson, the author of the book "Gem Testing" and one of the founder fathers of modern gemmology asking him as to how to set up a gem testing laboratory in India, I could not imagine that there would be so many Gemmology Institutes in India or that there would be such an awareness about gemmology in the country. This idea which occurred to us in the 1960's, finally culminated in the form of Gemmological Institute of India in 1971. It was a tiny seed which has grown into a gigantic tree spreading its branches into all the States of India.

Tracing the growth and onward journey of gemmology in India, I must mention that we had teething troubles in the 70's but the 80's saw considerable growth in scientific development and gemmological education in India. The 90's was the period of unprecedented technological development. During this period, gemmology in India started gaining importance and recognition amongst the gem traders for their day-to-day business.

Need For Gemmology

This was a period during which quite a few synthetic gem materials, very close to their natural gems, started surfacing in the Indian market in large quantities. Synthetic emeralds, rubies and simulants of diamonds were really a nightmare for many gem dealers. Ingenuity of man had created a gem that is as good as or even better looking than its natural counterpart! Identification of these gemstones became a serious problem for many traders. This necessitated the growth and practice of gemmology in India and around the world.

Similarly, treating gemstones with a view to enhancing their colour was yet another development that came up during the last two decades. Gemstones have been subjected to various kinds of treatments such as heat, pressure, irradiation, vapor deposition, epoxy, glass filling treatments to enhance their colour. Many claim that by these processes, man is only completing the work that Mother Nature has left incomplete.

Most of these enhancement methods are very very difficult to identify without proper gemmological knowledge. Under these circumstances, the gemmological laboratories have been called upon to play an important role in determining and certifying the treatments carried out on these gemstones.

Again certifying origin of rubies, sapphires and emeralds was very crucial for its valuation and the gemmological laboratories were called upon to help the Gem and Jewellery industry.

Looking to the past, one would observe that the 90's was the most turbulent period in the gemmological services. The 90's closed with the worst threat to the diamond industry namely High Pressure, High Temperature treatment on diamonds which is hounding the diamond industry. By this process, diamonds especially the Type IIa diamonds which are brownish in colour change their colour to an absolute white like D, G colours!

Synthetic Diamonds - Risk To The Diamond Industry

But this was only a smaller risk compared to the most alarming threat of synthetic diamonds, which have started raising its ugly head in the global diamond markets. Well, so far producing synthetic diamonds was an expensive proposition but it appears that there are now new processes like Carbon Vapor Deposition (CVD) and other more economical methods which have been developed by few agencies. Friends, the new millennium has seen a plethora of synthetics to the woes of gem testing laboratories and gemmologists.

Gem and Jewellery Industry - Changing Scenario

Gem and Jewellery Industry is also witnessing fast changing scenario in the consumption pattern of gemstones and diamonds in the domestic markets. Today, we are in the midst of changing world from tradition bound jewellery market to a modern age jewellery. We are moving away from highest standards of ethics to the slavery of a commercial world where these high values are being forgotten.

The domestic market is also emerging as a major segment for the gems and jewellery, driven by fashion and demand. In another five years, I am sure domestic market will witness exponential growth in the Indian Gem Industry. When the domestic market develops, there will be a need to have supporting system to certify the quality of gemstones sold in the market. This will be a service namely testing and certification of gemstones for identification of quality. Perfection in cutting, an ideal cut with maximum brilliance, dispersion, life, luster, hearts and arrows are the qualities the world is looking for. The gemmologists and gem testing laboratories will have a very vital role to play, as the consumer will be comforted about the quality only on the basis of a certification from a recognized laboratory.

Today, more than the traders, it is consumers who are more keen to know about the gemstones, thanks to the growth of the studded jewellery segment in the Indian market.

Achievements Of GII

Friends, I am very much proud of the achievements of GII during the last three decades. The mission of the Institute is to propagate the science of gemstones in every nook and corner of India and I feel we have successfully attained this goal. Today, there are over a dozen gemmological laboratories and teaching establishments in the country and majority of them are owned or managed by the Alumni of the GII. Very soon, the gemmology will be a full fledged subject which will be taught in many of our colleges and universities.

As of today, the GII has trained over 5000 students in various disciplines of gemmology, diamond assortment and jewellery designing. This growth and expansion was possible only with the active support and co-operation of the industry in India. I am very grateful to the industry and general public for reposing their trust and confidence in us and allowing us to render a service to them.

Appeal For R & D Laboratory

The next step the GII would like to undertake on a war footing is the research studies on gemstones as it is the need of the hour. Research and development is the most important and vital aspect of the growth of any industry. Product quality is the ultimate goal of the entrepreneurs, which enables them to compete in the global markets. Attaining quality is a continuous process and is achieved through improvement and innovation in your manufacturing and business. The gem and jewellery business is no longer a bed of roses. India's virtual monopoly in the small sizes like stars and melees has been threatened by the emergence of powerful neighbouring countries.

Treatments like HPHT and irradiation have already started posing a major problem for the industry which is possible to detect only with the help of R & D. These research studies have to be taken up by the industry collectively. It would be difficult for any individual organization to set-up an in house research laboratory for the purpose of identification of treated colour diamonds. Even in the international market such research studies have been always carried out by academic institutions. Studies on various properties of diamonds and gemstones have been carried out by GIA in USA, HRD in ANTWERP, SSEF in SWITZERLAND, GA of GB in U.K., CIS GEMS in ITALY and GEM LAB in JAPAN.

It is therefore essential to have a most modern, sophisticated and state-of-the-art research and development laboratory in India. The laboratory should be able to invent solutions for the problems faced by the industry. Such a laboratory is only possible with the generous support of the Industry, trade and the Council. I am sorry to say that not even 0.5 percent of our earnings have been spent so far on research and development of gemstones and jewellery in India.

I am delighted to inform you that the Diamond Exporters' Association Ltd. has promised their help and support for setting up a diamond laboratory and even the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council has agreed to help the Gemmological Institute of India in establishing the first ever modern sophisticated laboratory for research studies and identification of treated and synthetic diamonds.

May I therefore call upon my fellow industrialists and businessmen in the gem and jewellery industry in India to support this cause for scientific advancement of the diamond and gemstones sector.

Advice To The Students

I would now like to say a few words to my students, who are the next generation of gemstone dealers, who are getting their diploma in gemmology, diamonds and jewellery designing today.

I want my students and gemmologists to take a vow to impart the knowledge of gemstones to anyone who is interested in it. Knowledge should never be kept to your chest. Unlike wealth, knowledge will never reduce if you give it out to others. This is the miracle of Goddess Saraswati.

First of all, one must have the curiosity of a child to keep learning about new things. A child's zest is insatiable because every new object is a wonder and mystery. You must therefore read and interact with others to keep yourself abreast of developments taking place around the world in the field of gemstones.

Today, you will be conferred with a diploma which is an embodiment of knowledge in gemmology and gemstones. This will give you a distinctive identity as a gemmologist. But this is only a stepping stone to the learning of gemology. As far as gemstones are concerned, every day in your life will be learning experience. Keep your ears and eyes open. Never block your mind when it comes to knowledge. More importantly, you will have to impart what you have learnt to others and this would be one of your missions in life.

Secondly, there is a tremendous difference between being good and being excellent in your business. In the world of competition, being good is not enough, being the best in the country is not enough, one has to be best in the world.

Thirdly, self confidence is absolutely essential and it comes from a positive attitude and faith in your ability.

Finally, my advice to you all is to be honest, sincere and hardworking to achieve your goal in life. Ultimately, you are the master of your destiny. Here I would like to repeat a quote I came across recently, which amplifies the values of life.

You sow a thought, you reap an action
You sow an action, you reap a habit
You sow a habit, you reap a character
You sow a character, you reap a destiny

I assure you that GII's doors are always open to all of you for seeking knowledge. With this, I take this opportunity to congratulate the successful candidates and wish them Best of Luck in their career.

Before I conclude, I would like to thank Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council, Bharat Diamond Bourse and Diamond Exporters' Association Limited for their valuable support. I would also like to place on record my sincere appreciation to all the teachers and the staff of the GII, especially to Mr. Ramchandran and Dr.Jayshree, for their dedicated and devoted service without which the Institute would not have been able to achieve this height today. I also thank my fellow Trustees on the Board of the Institute and also the industry for their support and co-operation.

Thank you, Jai Hind.