IIDGR Establishes First Retailer Grading Partnership In Asia

(IDEX Online) – De Beers' International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research (IIDGR) has established its first retail partnership in Asia for its generic polished diamond grading services.

IIDGR’s partnership with Soo Kee Group in Singapore formally launches in February under the retailer’s bridal specialist brand, Love & Co. for its proprietary Lovemarque diamond collection. Soo Kee Group will become the first Singaporean retailer to offer bespoke IIDGR grading reports, providing its consumers with the confidence of a grading report backed by more than 100 years of De Beers diamond experience.

IIDGR initially launched its generic grading services in early 2016, with a focus on reliability, integrity, consistency and repeatability. The grading services employ De Beers’ industry-leading proprietary technology as well as highly skilled and experienced gemology experts, Jonathan Kendall, President of IIDGR, said in a statement. 

“We’ve seen a significant uplift in demand for our grading services in many markets, especially in the Far East – alongside the Soo Kee Group partnership, we have plans to expand the grading service elsewhere in Asia," Kendall said. "However, we see this as just the start. Increasing numbers of retailers are expressing their desire to use our diamond grading reports as they understand the importance of integrity in their offer to consumers – and with its use of leading De Beers technology, IIDGR is perfectly placed to provide this.”

IIDGR issues diamond grading reports and diamond identification reports for any unset, natural, untreated diamonds weighing a minimum of 0.10ct. The Institute grades every clarity and all colors including fancy colors.