In an exclusive interview to Rukshana Rizwie, TNJ Colors Bureau, Ms.Pornsawat Wathanakul, Director General - The Gemological Institute of Thailand opines on the color trade names given to gemstones and stresses on the importance of disclosure of Synthetic or Lab grown stones in comparison to natural gemstones by the trade. Excerpts:

• GIT is a renowned name in the field of gemstone grading and analysis. Name some of the important factors that have helped GIT to attain a leadership position in the industry ?

GIT is the national institute with the principal duty to support the gems and jewelry industry in both domestic and International levels. Our strengths are as follows;GIT is the national institute with the principal duty to support the gems and jewelry industry in both domestic and International levels. Our strengths are as follows;

- GIT is one of the world's best-equipped gem research and testing laboratories.

- GIT gem testing services are performed by highly experienced scientific based gemologists.

- GIT is the only gem testing lab in Thailand that is truly compliant with ISO standard.

- GIT is the nation's sole authoritative representative in the international forums such as CIBJO, ICA, LMHC, IGC etc.

- With government's funding, GIT can continually imp roveourstandard through our many comprehensive up-to-date research topics aiming at enhancing and augmenting the further development for both our testing techniques, and to always be on hand to serve the international market, at large.

There are instances of Lab grown colored gemstones getting mixed with Natural. What is your opinion on this and some key points that the clients / companies need to consider before getting the stones checked?

The ethical suppliers whose gems can be traced back to the sources may help to avoid that problem but in the trade, many suppliers, honestly, don't know the sources of their gems.

As the dealer, trader or even a consumer, please be careful of the stones that are too clean or the overall quality-perfect or seem more obvious than the others in the same parcel or the exceptionally too good a quality stone with the unusual cheaper market price.

Does GIT approve of giving titles / Names to colored gemstones such as ‘Pigeon Blood Ruby’, ‘Royal Blue Sapphire’ etc. If Yes, why?

Yes, we do. Our Pigeon's blood Ruby and Royal Blue sapphire standard have been developed and improved from our continually research-based results on color communication system of gemstone for almost a decade. The aim of the research is to set a non - biased standard for important ruby and sapphire color-trade names in order to alleviate the inconclusive confusion in the market.

Sri Lanka is a growing market when it comes to education and lab services. What is your strategic expansion plans in the gemstone on the island in terms of critical service offerings?

GIT has already has a specific plan in place, regarding the intention to provide both our testing and education services in Sri Lanka in 2016. However, the details of each service will be launched in the near future.