GAAJ-ZENHOKYO Corporate Profile

GAAJ-ZENHOKYO is a world renowned gemmological institute, conducting original research and providing educational and gemmological services for the jewellery, coloured gemstone and diamond sectors in Japan and abroad.  Founded in 1965 as a commercial subsidiary of the Gemmological Association of All Japan (GAAJ), it was the first gemmological laboratory to serve both the coloured stone and diamond industries in Japan, and is today is the country’s largest and most trusted provider of gemmological and grading certificates.
 

Drawing on more than three decades of experience, GAAJ-ZENHOKYO provides a comprehensive range of professional services from gem identification, diamond grading, fundamental and applied gemmological research, the development of instruments and equipment for the gem industry, and education and training.
 

From its Tokyo campus and laboratory, and through it representative offices and associated companies in Osaka, Fukuoka and Israel, GAAJ-ZENHOKYO has established its reputation upon the body of research conducted by its team of scientists, the thousands of graduates that it has educated, its use of sophisticated technology and its highly qualified staff.
 

While the bulk of its activities are geared for the Japanese gemstone and jewellery markets, in recent years GAAJ-ZENHOKYO has begun offering services to an international clientele, concentrating specifically upon the South East Asian and European markets.  It is today the only gemmology institute in Japan to be offering reports in English, which comply with international standards based on LMHC nomenclature.  To better serve its non-Japanese customers, in 1994 GAAJ-ZENHOKYO received the status of “Bonded Warehouse,” thus enabling the customs-free entry of  submitted gems into Japan for a limited period, which are subsequently returned to their country of origin.
 

GAAJ-ZENHOKYO main areas of activity include the following:
 

Gemmological Laboratory Services
GAAJ-ZENHOKYO employs highly trained gemmologists with FGA, CGJ and GIA GG qualifications.  Using the most advanced analytical and measuring equipment, the laboratory issues thousands of gem identification and grading reports every month.
 

Gemmological Research
Considered to be a of the world leader in gemmological research, GAAJ-ZENHOKYO regularly publishes its latest findings, and participates at academic conferences the world over.  GAAJ-Zenhokyo was the first gem lab to introduce the Ramascope System in detecting HPHT treatments and was also the first to institute the LA-ICP-MS System.
 

Education
GAAJ-ZENHOKYO has been a provider of gemmology education for more than 30 years, graduating many of the professional gemmologists currently at work in Japan’s gemstone and jewellery sectors. To this end it issues the internationally recognised CGJ (Certified Gemmologist of Japan) certificates and FGA (Fellow of Gemmological Associate) certificates.
 

Technical Instruments and Publications
As the body of technological research and knowledge has advanced, GAAJ-ZENHOKYO has developed a range of instruments for testing and analysis of gemstones. Simultaneously, the organisation has produced a large volume of technical literature and manuals.
 

Gemmology Magazine
The GAAJ-ZENHOKYO research department publishes a monthly magazine called Gemmology, whose objective is to keep the industry and the professional gemmology community abreast of the latest findings.  The magazine provides detailed research reports, information and photographs relevant to both the diamond and gemstone industries.