New owners will take the helm of the International Diamond Laboratory (IDL) Dubai, a major diamond, gemstone and jewellery grading facility in the region founded by industry veteran Peter Meeus.

Shaunak Shastree and Francesco Natale will take over operations of IDL effective immediately.

Meeus commented, “It has been an honour to have been involved with IDL since its inception in 2006 and contribute to the thriving precious jewels community in this region, which has undergone tremendous changes with Dubai’s exponential growth.”

He also cited the extensive experience and passion for the industry of both Shastree and Natale, adding that these will be critical to successfully steering IDL to new heights.

Shastree and Natale bring a wealth of experience and expertise of over 35 years each to IDL. Natale was chief gemmologist and lab director at IDL over the past 16 years while Shastree has worked in senior leadership positions in the jewellery industry. 

IDL was established in 2006 as an independent gemmological research organisation specialising in gemmological reports for diamonds, gemstones and jewellery. Over the past 18 years, IDL has published more than two million reports. It is also an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited laboratory, certified by the International Accreditation Services.