The International Gemological Institute (IGI) recently launched a series of seminars addressing the issues of high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) treatments and synthetic diamonds.

The first seminar, which was organized with the Gem and Jewelry Export Promotion Council of India (GJEPC), was held in December 2003 in Mumbai, India, with approximately 150 members of the Indian diamond industry in attendance.

The second seminar took place in January 2004 in Antwerp, Belgium. Close to 300 trade members were present at that event.

IGI is planning to hold seminars in other cities as well, as the attendee feedback has been extremely positive.

Established in 1975, the Inter-national Gemological Institute has offices in New York City, Toronto, Los Angeles, Antwerp, Bangkok, Mumbai, and Tokyo. For information about IGI, visit www.igiworldwide.com.