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The International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research (IIDGR), part of De Beers Group, today announced that it has established a polished diamond grading partnership with Lukfook Jewellery, a leading Hong Kong and Mainland China jewellery retailer. The grading partnership is De Beers Group’s first with a vertically-integrated Sightholder.
Through the partnership, the IIDGR will supply co-branded polished diamond grading reports to Lukfook customers, providing them with the additional assurance of both companies’ expertise.
The reports will use De Beers Group’s Ideal Optical Symmetry technology, which provides a magnified image of the light performance pattern of each diamond, offering customers enhanced information about their diamond.
The programme launches in Hong Kong and Macau today, with the potential to expand to other areas in the greater China region.
Jonathan Kendall, President of IIDGR, said: “As customers continue to seek ever-greater confidence in diamonds, we are seeing increased demand from major diamond jewellery retailers for the innovative solutions that IIDGR can provide. This new initiative with Lukfook highlights the rapid international growth we are seeing in the business and we look forward to a long and successful partnership.”
Mr. Wong Wai Sheung, Chairman and Chief Executive of Lukfook Group, said: “We are delighted to have established this ground-breaking new initiative with IIDGR. By working with IIDGR, a business backed by over 100 years of De Beers Group leadership in the diamond sector, we are able to offer our customers an added layer of assurance. We are very excited about the prospects of this new partnership.”
IIDGR issues Diamond Grading Reports and Diamond Identification Reports for any unset, natural, untreated diamonds weighing a minimum of 0.10 carats. The Institute grades every clarity and all colours, including fancy colours.
More information on IIDGR’s grading services can be found at www.iidgr.com/grading.
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About the International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research (a member of The De Beers Group of Companies)
The International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research has been established by The De Beers Group of Companies to provide a premium service and proprietary equipment to the diamond industry. Based in the UK, Belgium and India, and run by the world’s top diamond experts, the International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research offers a range of expert services. The International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research works only on diamonds that meet the requirements of the United Nations’ mandated World Diamond Council Kimberley Process. For more information, visit www.iidgr.com.
About The De Beers Group of Companies
De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American plc group. Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining and marketing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. As part of the company’s operating philosophy, the people of De Beers Group are committed to ‘Building Forever’ by making a lasting contribution to the communities in which they live and work, and transforming natural resources into shared national wealth. For further information about De Beers Group, visit www.debeersgroup.com.
About Luk Fook Holdings (International) Limited (Stock Code: 00590.HK)
The Group principally engages in the sourcing, designing, wholesaling, trademark licensing and retailing of a variety of gold and platinum jewellery and gem-set jewellery products. With over 1,500 shops in Hong Kong, Macau, Mainland China, Singapore, Korea, Malaysia, the United States, Canada and Australia, the Group will continue to identify new business opportunities in the international market in response to its corporate vision, “Brand of Hong Kong, Sparkling the World”.