This article first appeared in GEMSWORLD 2026.

ICA GemLab has been making significant strides in coloured gemstone evaluation and reporting since its inception in 2016, examining an expansive variety of gems using advanced techniques and proprietary technology. The year 2025 has been “extraordinary” for the Thailand-based laboratory, according to Amira Hatta, managing director of ICA GemLab.

“We saw strong demand across a diverse range of gemstones, led by corundum, beryl, topaz, spodumene and quartz,” she told GemsWorld. “We processed over 20 different species in total, with origin determination as the most requested service, particularly for valuable stones, alongside treatment detection.”

Beryllium testing using Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was also sought after. Hatta noted, “We are one of only three labs globally that offers this level of beryllium testing. This is a real differentiator for us.”

Heightened market interest in traceability and transparency signals a fundamental market shift, with luxury brands increasingly requiring certified provenance and consumers placing greater emphasis on ethical sourcing and the gems’ mine-to-market journey, revealed the company official.

“Demand is coming from all directions – luxury brands, affluent collectors seeking investment-grade documentation, customs authorities, established traders and emerging miners who understand the importance of verified origins to gain access to premium markets,” she continued.

Glowing opportunities

Hatta considers 2025 a milestone year for ICA GemLab. Among the company’s accomplishments were partnerships with high-profile brands and major trade associations that strengthened its credibility.

The lab mapped over 40 geographic gemstone deposits and achieved 97 per cent accuracy in origin determination of rubies using artificial intelligence (AI).

Research into provenance identification of peridot and aquamarine was likewise launched in 2025, with extremely promising preliminary results. ICA GemLab is looking to unveil commercial services for these new origins in 2026 while further strengthening its gemstone treatment detection capabilities.

ICA GemLab also continues to make inroads in the use of AI in gemmology. Through its technology innovation partner, GAIA Scientific, the lab has developed innovative AI systems to process gemstones.

“What sets our approach apart is our use of databases that reflect natural geological overlaps, avoiding artificial separations. This enables accurate and transparent uncertainty quantification and exceptional performance in identifying rare origins,” remarked Hatta.

The impact has been transformative as it created an automation framework, enabling ICA GemLab’s gemmologists to focus on complex cases while also handling routine determinations efficiently.

Education is also a critical part of the lab’s growth strategy. ICA GemLab runs year-round internship programmes for students from top gemmological institutions in Thailand, including Burapha University.

Participants acquire hands-on experience with advanced instrumentation and modern analytical techniques through such internships and many of them progress to leadership roles in laboratories and trading companies, according to Hatta. In this way, best practices are shared and disseminated throughout the industry.

The lab is developing an advanced course for working gemmologists throughout the supply chain, with pilot programmes expected within the year.

Moving forward

ICA GemLab is on a growth trajectory. The lab is eyeing to expand its global reach over the next 12 to 18 months and is currently evaluating opportunities in key markets where there is solid demand for scientific certification.

“We are pursuing partnerships that align with our commitment to scientific excellence and ethical practices,” Hatta shared. “We are also working on some equipment innovations that could make advanced testing more accessible. Our focus is on sustainable growth that maintains the quality and scientific rigour we are known for.”