The Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences (AIGS) will exhibit at the Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show and will offer 24-hour turnaround times on gem testing.

"We will be issuing our gemstone reports that are useful for both buyers and sellers, with a turnaround time of 24 hours," said AIGS Chairman Kennedy Ho.

The AIGS, a leading expert in colored gemstones now celebrating its 40th anniversary, will be at stand number #AWE10-A05.

The Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show takes place from February 26 to March 2, at AsiaWorld-Expo.

The AIGS Lab, which is based in the Jewelry Trade Center in Bangkok, serves the gem and jewelry industry and the public with a comprehensive range of gemstone and jewelry analysis reports, including rubies, sapphires and emeralds.

The laboratory's primary objectives are:

• To identify the nature of all materials that are likely to be used as gems, and report on them in a clear and precise manner for the trade and public.

•To grade, when possible, colored gemstones and diamonds for quality and to produce appropriate reports to enable both the trade and public to assess their quality for potential purchase.

•To research all aspects of gem materials in order to fully understand their characteristics.

•The AIGS belongs to The Gem Alliance, an informal grouping of gem identification labs, launched by Kennedy Ho, which encourages sharing of research and information.

•The Gem Alliance is growing with the addition of new gem lab groups from across the world.

•The members of the Gem Alliance are:

      - AIGS Thailand, Kennedy Ho

      - GGTL Switzerland, Franck Notari

      - GGTL Liechtenstein, Dr. Thomas Hainschwang

      - JGGL Japan, Masaki Furuya