GSI & G-Cal tests find 100% of vendors in compliance
As part of its ongoing commitment to excellence, the Continental Buying Group (CBG) conducted on-site testing of live diamond goods during the January 23-25, CBG Show in Orlando.
The compliance evaluations, designed to insure conformity with the recently updated 2017 CBG Vendor agreement regarding the use and sale of lab-grown diamonds, were not disclosed to vendors prior to the start of the event.
More than 50 vendors of finished, fine diamond merchandise participated in the testing, which took place over the course of the 3-day event. CBG staff worked together with the vendors to randomly select 5 pieces of diamond intensive merchandise from each vendor, which was then submitted to either Gemological Science International (GSI), or G-Cal/Gem Certification & Assurance Lab, both of which had booths and equipment available on the show floor to conduct the testing.
The testing, a first in the long history of CBG events, was well-received by both CBG suppliers and the more than 100 retailers who belong to the group. Both suppliers and retailers expressed appreciation for the proactive approach taken by the organization to address what many believe is a serious and growing problem within the jewelry industry.
All of the more than 50 suppliers tested, including True Romance, Paramount, BA Gold and Sophia by Design, proved to be 100% in compliance with the 2017 CBG supplier contract, which specifically addresses the issue of lab grown melee finding its way into finished jewelry and natural diamond parcels.
When asked about the new testing practices, CBG CEO Andie Weinman stated: “We at the CBG office intend to keep testing product. We will continue testing at our next show in Las Vegas. It is our passion to make sure our retailers are protected and our suppliers are in compliance. We feel this can be a huge problem in our industry. I personally will do all I can to protect our CBG retailers. I would also like to thank our two labs, G-CAL and GSI for conducting the tests.”
The CBG Las Vegas Show will take place June 1 – 4, 2017 at Caesar’s Palace. For more information about the Continental Buying Group, visit the website at www.CBGI.org or e-mail estelle@cbgi.org.
