International Gemological Laboratories (IGL)

What International Gemological Laboratories (IGL) does

International Gemological Laboratories (IGL) is an independent, privately held gemological laboratory headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, founded in 1981 by Jack and Ron Hanania. The firm specializes in the identification, evaluation, and written appraisal of diamonds, coloured stones, pearls, watches, and fine jewellery, serving individual consumers, retail jewellers, insurance companies, and legal/estate professionals. All work is performed in-person at a single physical laboratory at 5920 Macleod Trail S.W., and IGL explicitly identifies itself as not affiliated with any same-named organization in the U.S. or Europe.

The company's underlying technology stack consists of a fully equipped physical gemological laboratory, including advanced analytical instruments such as UV-VIS-NIR, FTIR, Photoluminescence, and Raman spectrophotometers, used for colour origin determination, synthetic/treated stone identification, HPHT-treated diamond detection, and fracture-filled emerald analysis. The most differentiated capability is the in-house screening and identification of synthetic (lab-grown) diamonds and simulants — a high-demand service line tied to rising lab-grown diamond fraud risk. Diamond plotting (a fingerprint-style mapping of inclusions and blemishes) is used for identity verification post-repair or claim.

IGL's business model is a fee-for-service professional services model with publicly posted, flat unit pricing rather than subscription or retainer contracts. Standard jewellery appraisals are priced at $95 per item ($75 each for orders over 10 items), wristwatch appraisals at $150, gemstone identification at $25, diamond grading certificates at $150, diamond plots at $50 per stone, appraisal renewals at $50, and professional/legal consultation at $150 per hour. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer, supported by reputation and word-of-mouth rather than formal marketing; appointments are booked by phone or via Calendly. Custom/complex items require direct contact for estimate, and cleaning and setting checks are provided free of charge as a customer-retention lever. No external funding, parent company, or M&A activity is associated with the business.

Name

International Gemological Laboratories (IGL)

Legal name

International Gemological Laboratories Ltd.

Website

https://intergemlabs.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

International Gemological Laboratories (IGL) is a Calgary-based independent gemological laboratory founded in 1981, providing in-person identification, evaluation, and appraisal services for diamonds, coloured stones, watches, and fine jewellery to consumers, jewellers, insurers, and legal professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Gemological Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (541380)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Diamond Grading & Certification Laboratories (CRAKAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Colored Gemstone Identification & Certification Laboratories (CRAKAJAH), Traceability, Provenance & Compliance Services (e.g., origin, AML/KYC, sanctions) (CRAKAJAL)

Keywords

• Jewellery appraisal services
• Gemstone identification
• Diamond grading
• Synthetic diamond detection
• Watch appraisal

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary, Alberta

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Jewellery Appraisals: One-time fee service for evaluating diamonds, coloured stones, pearls, watches, and fine jewellery. Pricing varies by item type and complexity. Volume discounts available for items over 10.
2. Gemstone Identification Services: Individual service for identifying gemstones, including natural vs synthetic determination.
3. Diamond Quality Certificates: Grading certificates with inclusion plots for diamonds.
4. Professional/Legal Consultation: Expert consultation services billed at $150 per hour for legal, estate, or professional matters.
5. Seminars: Educational seminars with $150 setup fee plus $100 per hour.
6. Free Services: Cleaning and setting checks provided free of charge as a customer service.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

International Gemological Laboratories (IGL) is a Calgary-based gemological laboratory that performs professional identification, evaluation, and written appraisals of diamonds, coloured stones, pearls, watches, and fine jewellery. Services are delivered by GIA-certified Graduate Gemologists using GIA grading standards and advanced analytical instruments for synthetic diamond detection, diamond grading with inclusion plots, and gemstone identification.

Product overview

IGL is a gemological laboratory and appraisal service, not a software platform or SaaS product. The company operates as a single-location physical facility in Calgary, Alberta, offering professional jewellery appraisals, synthetic diamond identification, and gemstone certification services. The core offering consists of Jewellery Appraisals (for insurance, estate, purchase confirmation, and customs documentation), Synthetic Diamond Identification (screening lab-grown vs. natural diamonds and simulants), and Diamond Quality Certificates with Diamond Plots (grading documentation). Additional services include Gemstone Identification for coloured stones and Watch Appraisals. All services are performed on-site by GIA-certified Graduate Gemologists using professional gemological equipment, with advanced testing referred to affiliate labs including GIA when specialized instruments are required (UV-VIS-NIR Spectrophotometers, FTIR, Photoluminescence, Raman Spectrophotometers). No software products, APIs, or digital platforms are offered.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Jewellery Appraisals Professional identification, evaluation, and written appraisal of diamonds, coloured stones, pearls, watches, and fine jewellery for insurance, estate, purchase confirmation, and customs purposes. Performed by GIA-certified Graduate Gemologists using GIA grading standards. Pricing is $95 per item ($75 per item for volumes over 10).
• Synthetic Diamond Identification Screening and identification of synthetic (lab-grown) diamonds and diamond simulants using specialized gemological equipment and advanced testing instruments to distinguish between natural, synthetic, and simulated stones.
• Diamond Quality Certificates Formal grading certificate for diamonds that includes a diamond plot documenting inclusions and blemishes, based on the GIA grading system for colour, clarity, and cut. Pricing is $150 per certificate.
• Gemstone Identification Identification services for coloured stones that distinguish natural from synthetic and treated specimens, including advanced testing at affiliate labs for coloured diamonds, enhanced stones, and complex identifications. Priced at $25 per gemstone.
• Watch Appraisals Professional appraisal service for wristwatches, evaluating authenticity, quality, and estimated value for insurance and estate purposes. Priced at $150 per wristwatch.
• Appraisal Updates and Renewals Service for updating or renewing existing jewellery appraisals, priced at $50 per item, supporting insurance and estate records that require periodic revaluation.
• Professional and Legal Consultation Expert consultation services billed at $150 per hour for legal, estate, or professional matters, supporting probate, litigation, and adjuster engagements.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• HRD Antwerp: HRD Antwerp is a leading European gemological laboratory offering diamond grading, jewellery reports, and gemological equipment, with strong institutional acceptance in the trade. It competes with IGL for institutional certification mandates.
• Gemological Institute of America (GIA): GIA is the world's largest and most recognized gemological laboratory and education body, offering diamond grading, coloured stone reports, and gemologist training. IGL's GIA-credentialed staff and use of GIA grading standards directly mirror GIA's framework, making GIA the benchmark incumbent.
• Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A): Gem-A is the world's longest-established gemological education body, offering FGA and DGA credentials and supporting gemological testing. It overlaps with IGL in gemology training credentials and laboratory practice standards.

Direct peers

• International Gemological Institute (IGI): IGI is a globally operating independent gemological lab providing diamond and coloured stone grading, jewellery appraisals, and synthetic detection services. It is one of the largest direct competitors to IGL in the third-party gemological certification space.
• American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories: AGS Laboratories is an independent North American diamond grading lab known for its cut grading standards and diamond reports. It is directly comparable to IGL as an independent third-party gemological certification provider for the North American market.
• European Gemological Laboratory (EGL): EGL operates independent gemological laboratories in the US and internationally, providing diamond and coloured stone certifications. It is a direct competitor to IGL in the third-party grading market despite being headquartered elsewhere.
• National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA): NAJA is a US-based professional association of certified jewellery and gem appraisers that promotes appraisal standards and credentialing. It directly parallels IGL's professional appraisal and continuing-education offerings.

Regional players

• Canadian Gemological Association (CGA): CGA is a Canadian professional association offering gemological education and appraising services across Canada. As a domestically focused peer, it competes with IGL for Canadian jewellery owner, jeweller, and insurer clientele.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-gemological-labratories-igl-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International Gemological Laboratories (IGL)