EGL International Clarifies Position Following Delisting Decision

(IDEX Online News) – EGL International, based in Israel, has issued a “clarification” in response to the decision to remove all EGL-certified diamonds from the RapNet Diamond Trading Network as of October 1.

The lab said in a statement that “additional reports suggested there is a USA border ban of diamond grading reports issued by the EGL group of gemological laboratories outside of the US.

“In view of the above, EGL International wishes to clarify to its customers and to all parties trading in polished diamonds:

•      There has never been and there is no USA border ban on diamond grading reports issued by EGL. EGL certificates are legitimate and issued legally worldwide.

•      Other networks have not taken this unusual step as it would impede the premise on which diamond trading networks operate: conducting free trade that takes into account the parameters of the diamond grading reports that accompany the diamonds in their pricing structure.

“With regard to the Rapaport Group's decision to delist diamond grading reports of EGL and that it views GIA as the industry standard, EGL International wishes to state that:

•      The use of the term ‘standard’ suggests that such a standard exists. However, at this point in time, there is no single, international standard for diamond grading that has national or international status or acceptance.

•      In general, gemological laboratories that issue diamond grading reports will consistently state that the results of diamond grading are, to a certain extent, subjective.

•      EGL Internationals laboratory's staff is composed of graduate gemologists with international recognition. They work with state-of-the-art technology, enabling them to detect and disclose synthetic (laboratory-grown) diamonds, as well as a variety of advanced treatments to enhance color or clarity (e.g. HPHT).”

EGL USA and EGL South Africa have also complained about the delisting.

The controversy over EGL certification began earlier this year when a TV station in Nashville broadcast a program claiming that local jewelry retailer Genesis Diamonds was selling jewelry with diamonds whose grading reports, provided by EGL International, were too generous.

Three lawsuits have been filed against the company in the US concerning the certification accompanying its diamonds.