New Premises
IGI Acquires AGL to Strengthen Global Colored-Gemstone Certification
Deal combines IGI’s global scale with AGL’s scientific expertise, reinforcing trust, transparency and innovation in gemstone grading.
The International Gemological Institute (IGI) has acquired American Gemological Laboratories (AGL), marking a significant step toward expanding its global colored-gemstone certification services. The acquisition brings together IGI’s extensive international network, infrastructure and market presence with AGL’s deep scientific leadership in colored gemstones.
Calling the move transformational for the industry, IGI Global CEO Tehmasp Printer said the combination will help build a future-ready certification ecosystem that delivers scale without compromising scientific rigor or integrity. He added that the partnership aims to set new global benchmarks for trust, transparency and consistency in gemstone certification.
AGL will continue to operate independently, retaining its headquarters in New York. Chris Smith will remain president and chief of gemology. Both organizations will maintain their existing technical standards and service levels, while collaborating on the development of new tools, reporting formats and provenance solutions for the global market.
IGI said the acquisition also strengthens strategic ties between the US—the world’s largest fine jewellery and colored-gemstone market—and India, a key global manufacturing hub, further supporting international trade and industry integration.
New Premises
KISNA Diamond and Gold Jewellery Expands Corporate Footprint with Second Office in BKC, Spanning 5,000 Sq. Ft.
The new BKC Innovation Centre strengthens KISNA’s people-first culture and future-ready vision
KISNA Diamond and Gold Jewellery, the flagship jewellery brand of the Hari Krishna Group, has opened its second corporate office at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai. The new office marks an important step in KISNA’s growth journey, reinforcing its focus on innovation, collaboration, and building a people-first, future-ready organisation.
Located at Lakshmi Towers, BKC, the 5,000 sq. ft. workspace, the KISNA Innovation Centre, will serve as a dedicated hub for the brand’s Product Development, Marketing, and IT teams, and will accommodate over 130 employees. Designed to bring teams together under one roof, the centre aims to foster innovation through closer collaboration, faster decision-making, and a more engaging work environment for employees.
At the heart of the new office is a strong focus on employee well-being and experience. The workspace has been thoughtfully planned to balance productivity with comfort, featuring open collaboration zones, focused work areas, and informal breakout spaces. A dedicated gaming and recreation zone, equipped with PlayStation 5 and foosball, has been created to encourage relaxation, informal interaction, and team bonding, recognising the importance of balance in high-performance teams.
Parag Shah, CEO, KISNA Diamond and Gold Jewellery, said, “As KISNA grows, our people remain at the centre of everything we do. This new office has been designed keeping our teams in mind, to create an environment that encourages collaboration, learning, and well-being while actively fostering innovation. By bringing our product, marketing, and technology teams together, we are enabling faster idea exchange, sharper execution, and a more fulfilling employee experience as we build for the future.”
The expansion comes at a time when KISNA is strengthening its national retail footprint, deepening its omnichannel capabilities, and investing in design innovation and technology-led efficiencies. Creating workspaces that empower employees and support innovation is a key pillar of the brand’s long-term growth strategy.
With the opening of its second corporate office, KISNA continues to invest in a strong organisational foundation that supports both business scale and employee development, reinforcing its commitment to long-term value creation.
source: KISNA Diamond and Gold Jewellery
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