Guild Labs to setup first laboratory for SA in Beruwala  

• Will invest US$ 1mn in establishing the facility down south
• Laboratory to target the Chinese market

In line with Sri Lanka’s aspirations to position itself as a hub for gemstones, California-based globally renowned global gemological laboratory services provider Guild Labs plans to open its first gem testing laboratory for South Asia in Beruwala, Kalutara district.

Guild Labs will be investing US$ 1 million in its new expansion with the aim of targeting the Chinese market.
The cutting-edge gem testing laboratory equipped with the latest machinery is set to enhance the marketability of Sri Lankan gemstones in the global luxury market while saving the cost and time of Sri Lankan suppliers.  

According to Chinafort Gem and Jewellery Trade Association (CGJTA), although Sri Lanka has highly qualified gemologists they do not have the full array of equipment required, as a result they are unable to carry out the relevant tests to issue an internationally acceptable certificate.

 “Their (Guild’s) presence means that suppliers from Sri Lanka would be able to get the certification done within Sri Lanka itself in accordance with international standards. In particular, it will be acceptable in China,” CGJTA Vice Chairman Rizwan Nayeem told Mirror Business.

“The Chinese buyers who are coming to Sri Lanka would be able to purchase gem stones with confidence as the certificate would be issued to their offices in China directly. So, there’s this cross-border facilitation, which will be in the best interests of Sri Lanka.

“As a result, the marketability of Sri Lankan gems in the Chinese market will go to another level,” he added.
The project has already received the approval of the Board of Investment (BOI) and will be established in Beruwala,  which is known as the world’s oldest and largest open-air gem market before the end of this year.
According to Guild Institute of Gemology and Guild Gem Laboratories Senior Vice President Andy Lucas, China, which emerged as the world’s largest coloured gemstone market presents immense opportunities for Sri Lanka’s gemstones, in particular for world-renowned Ceylon sapphires. 

Dating back to centuries, Beruwala remains to be the heart of Sri Lanka’s gem trade and it’s also the preferred trading centre for most of Chinese buyers visiting the Island. Over 200 foreign buyers are already operating from Beruwala. 

State Minister for Primary Industries Chamara Sampath Dasanayake recently instructed the National Gem and Jewellery Authority of Sri Lanka (NGJA) to take urgent measures to establish an export office in Beruwala in response to a request made by CGJTA. The move is set to formalise gem trading in Beruwala.

In addition, CGJTA is also moving forward with plans to set up a gem training centre to train particularly youngsters to gain the necessary skills to cut and polish coloured stones with the support of GRS GemResearch Swisslab AG - an independent gemological research laboratory. Through the initiative, the industry expects 50 percent of the participants to be females. 

Nayeem highlighted that the Gem Sri Lanka exhibition, scheduled to be held in January next year in Beruwala, would be an extension of all these initiatives in creating the perfect atmosphere to showcase Sri Lankan gemstones connecting with buyers across the globe. (NF)