International Gemological Institute Limited (IGI) is a gemological organization that provides grading and certification services for diamonds, gemstones and jewellery. IGI was founded in Antwerp, Belgium, in 1975 by Marcel Lorié."The IGI Timeline". International Gemological Institute. Retrieved 27 August 2026.Bates, Rob (7 August 2023). "IGI Longtime CEO Roland Lorie Steps Down". JCK. Retrieved 27 August 2026. The organization operates gemological laboratories and Schools of Gemology and provides grading and certification services for natural diamonds, laboratory-grown diamonds, coloured gemstones and finished jewellery."About IGI". International Gemological Institute. Retrieved 27 August 2026. The Indian listed company that forms part of the IGI group was incorporated in Mumbai on 23 February 1999 as International Gemmological Institute (India) Private Limited. It was converted into a public limited company in July 2024 and subsequently changed its name to International Gemological Institute Limited in April 2026."Red Herring Prospectus" (PDF). International Gemological Institute. 6 December 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2026."Intimation regarding change of name of the Company" (PDF). National Stock Exchange of India. 7 April 2026. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
History
Foundation IGI was founded in Antwerp in 1975 by Marcel Lorié. His son, Roland Lorié, subsequently became chief executive officer and headed the organization for many years."The IGI Timeline". International Gemological Institute. Retrieved 27 August 2026.Bates, Rob (7 August 2023). "IGI Longtime CEO Roland Lorie Steps Down". JCK. Retrieved 27 August 2026. During its development, IGI expanded from Belgium into major international diamond and jewellery centres. The organization established laboratories and Schools of Gemology and developed services for diamond and gemstone identification and grading."The IGI Timeline". International Gemological Institute. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
Expansion Between 1975 and 2000, IGI expanded its laboratory and educational activities into additional markets, including India and Thailand. The organization also introduced diamond and jewellery identification reports and developed systems for diamond inscription and security features for grading reports."The IGI Timeline". International Gemological Institute. Retrieved 27 August 2026. From 2000 onward, IGI expanded its laboratory and educational network in Asia and the Middle East and developed grading and screening services for both natural and laboratory-grown diamonds."The IGI Timeline". International Gemological Institute. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
India India became a major market for IGI. The organization established laboratories in several Indian diamond and jewellery centres, including Mumbai and Surat. In April 2010, IGI opened a laboratory in Surat, one of the world's major centres for diamond cutting and polishing."IGI Launches in the Heart of the Diamond Industry". Diamond World. 15 April 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2026. The Indian operations were subsequently organized under International Gemmological Institute (India) Limited. The company became publicly listed in India in December 2024."A Legacy of Trust — Annual Report 2024" (PDF). International Gemological Institute. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
Laboratory-grown diamonds IGI developed grading services for laboratory-grown diamonds as the production and trade of laboratory-grown diamonds expanded. The organization's timeline states that it analyzed and graded some of the first gem-quality laboratory-grown diamonds."The IGI Timeline". International Gemological Institute. Retrieved 27 August 2026. In its 2024 IPO prospectus, IGI estimated that it accounted for approximately 65% of the global laboratory-grown diamond certification market and approximately 33% of the global grading-report market. These figures were based on industry research cited in the prospectus.Bates, Rob (26 August 2024). "IGI Files for Initial Public Offering". JCK. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
Ownership In 2018, Shanghai Yuyuan Tourist Mart, a subsidiary of Fosun International, acquired an 80% stake in IGI. The remaining 20% was held by the Lorie family.Bates, Rob (13 September 2018). "Chinese Group Paid $108.8 Million for 80 Percent of IGI". JCK. Retrieved 27 August 2026. On 21 May 2023, Blackstone Inc. announced the acquisition of IGI from Fosun and the Lorie family. The buyer was BCP Asia II Topco Pte. Ltd., a Singapore company wholly owned by a private equity investment fund controlled by Blackstone. The transaction was valued at approximately US$569.65 million.Bates, Rob (19 May 2023). "IGI Sold for $569.65 Million to Blackstone". JCK. Retrieved 27 August 2026."Blackstone Acquires International Gemological Institute (IGI)". Blackstone. 21 May 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
Initial public offering In August 2024, International Gemmological Institute (India) Limited filed for an initial public offering in India. The prospectus described IGI as the world's second-largest independent certification and accreditation services provider by revenue. It reported that the group operated 31 laboratories and 18 Schools of Gemology across 10 countries at the time."International Gemmological Institute (India) Limited — Prospectus". Securities and Exchange Board of India. 19 December 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2026.Bates, Rob (26 August 2024). "IGI Files for Initial Public Offering". JCK. Retrieved 27 August 2026. The company's shares were listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange of India on 20 December 2024. They trade under the symbol IGIL, with BSE security code 544311."A Legacy of Trust — Annual Report 2024" (PDF). International Gemological Institute. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
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