LEAVING BURMA

1964

LEAVING BURMA

Waing Kong Ho left Burma in 1964 together with 3 of his 5 children. He first worked as an insurance salesman, but it would not be long before he would restart his gem business. His youngest son and youngest daughter had to be left behind in Burma and it would be 10 years before the family was united again.

This photo was taken in Yangon in 1963, one year before the family’s departure from Burma. Mr. & Mrs. Ho with children Halpin, Elaine, Henry, Kennedy & Muriel.

1964

WORLD LAPIDARY

WORLD LAPIDARY

Without much money, but with a very good reputation Waing Kong Ho was able to restart his gem career in 1967. In a tiny room with only one desk, he opened World Lapidary Co., Ltd. at 1083 New Road, in Bangkok, Thailand. This was the beginning of the gemstone trading business where thousands of buyers and sellers would be trading with each other through Mr. Ho’s company.

1967

WORLD LAPIDARY

1967

WORLD JEWELS TRADE CENTER

1972

WORLD JEWELS TRADE CENTER

In 1972 World Lapidary Co.,Ltd. moved into the Rama Jewelry building at the corner of Silom Road and Mahesak Road in the heart of Bangkok's gem and jewelry district. It was here that Senior Ho welcomed clients from around the world. He was assisted by his sons, Halpin, Henry and Kennedy.

1972

FIRST PORTABLE GEM LAB

FIRST PORTABLE GEM LAB

Today, gemologists around the world enjoy many modern conveniences that assist them in their work. But in 1977, Jeff Wildman and AIGS Chairman Emeritus Henry Ho invented the “Porta-Lab” which addressed an urgent need to use gemological equipment while working in the field. This was the first equipment of its type.

1977

OUR FIRST CLASS

OUR FIRST CLASS

In 1977, the first gemological training classes began with Robert Weiser teaching our staff. Weiser had studied gemology with Henry Ho in the US and they were determined to share their knowledge with the aim of creating a professional workforce. We had just one microscope at that time.

1977

OUR FIRST GRADUATION

OUR FIRST GRADUATION

By 1978, the Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences (AIGS) was founded and in 1979 graduated its first class of Accredited Gemologists.

1979

OUR FIRST GRADUATION

1979

CORELAB

1986

CORELAB

In 1986 Kennedy Ho set up hi-tech heat treatment facilities for rubies and sapphires in Bangkok. The aim was to improve heat treatment of ruby and sapphire from different localities. Shown here are before and after results with improvements in color and clarity.

1986

THE SIAMESE RUBY

Rubies rank among the world’s rarest and most valuable gemstones. And most of the world’s best rubies today come from Thailand - or Siam as the country was formerly named.

This is the first book to deal exclusively with the Siamese ruby - from the gem diggers hunting the elusive stones in the forests, through the traders and the cutters, to the eager buyers around the globe.

John Hoskin covers not only the modern-day big business of Siamese rubies, but also the history, lore and legends surrounding rubies in Thailand. The brilliant photographs of Lindie Lapin bring out the magic and allure of this fabled gemstone.

Published by Henry Ho

1987

THE SIAMESE RUBY

1987

FIRST TO VIETNAM

FIRST TO VIETNAM

AIGS was the first Asia-based laboratory to visit Vietnam’s Luc Yen ruby mines. Waing Kong Ho led the visit together with Dr. Eduard Gubelin, Alan Jobbins, Ken Scarrett and Dr. Adolf Peretti.

1988

FIRST TO MOGOK

FIRST TO MOGOK

Another first for AIGS was a visit to Mogok, making it the first foreign - based laboratory team to enter the Mogok gemstone tract since 1962.

AIGS founder Henry Ho headed up the group consisting of Dr. Eduard Gubelin, Alan Jobbins, Ken Scarrett and Dr. Adolf Peretti.

1988

RAMAN SPECTROPHOTOMETER

1988

RAMAN SPECTROPHOTOMETER

AIGS was the first laboratory in the world to purchase a Raman Spectrophotometer for gemological studies.

AIGS gemologists utilized the Raman Spectrophotometer and set the bar for others to follow.

1988

JTC GROUND BREAKING

1991

JTC GROUND BREAKING

Police General Pao Sarasin and Samrit Chirathivat, Chairman of Central Group of Companies, W.K. Ho, Chairman of the Ho Group of Companies laid the foundation stone at the Jewelry Trade Center on Silom Road, Bangkok, Thailand.

1991

QUEEN’S CUT DIAMOND

QUEEN’S CUT DIAMOND

AIGS diamond reports were issued for the Queen Sirikit Diamond collection. 60 stones, serialized and lasered with Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s name were examined and reported by AIGS Lab. A US patent has been obtained for this special diamond cut. Henry Ho assists HRH Princess Chulabhorn in viewing the 60-facet Queen Sirikit Cut Diamond at the Grand Palace.

1992

QUEEN’S CUT DIAMOND

1992

CHINA VISIT

CHINA VISIT

Waing Kong Ho and Alan Lam visit the Mineralogical and Gemological Association of China (now National Gemstone Testing Center - NGTC) and was hosted by Zhang Pei Li, NGTC Chair.

1993

SIERRA LEONE VISIT

SIERRA LEONE VISIT

Henry Ho, Alan Lam and diamond expert cutter Henry Grossbard meets with Head of the Mineral Resources from the diamond deposits, and Mining Ministry. AIGS led an exploratory trip to Sierra Leone to investigate and examine samples from the diamond deposits.

1993

DR. EDUARD GUBELIN

DR. EDUARD GUBELIN

Seminar Series organized by AIGS: Dr. Eduard Gubelin presents a talk on “Inclusions in Gemstones” organized jointly by AIGS and Chulalongkorn University. Seen in picture from left is Henry Ho, Prof. Sakda Siripant, Muriel Ho, Dr. Eduard Gubelin, Dr. Henri Hani, Margaret Ho, W.K. Ho.

1994

ASIAN DIAMOND OFFICE

ASIAN DIAMOND OFFICE

The opening of the Asian Diamond Office with AIGS providing a diamond grading program in Thailand in cooperation with HRD, Belgium’s leading gemological institute and laboratory, Seen here are principles of HRD, AIGS and the Belgian Embassy.

1994

KNIGHTHOOD

1994

KNIGHTHOOD

W. K. Ho receives Royal Knighthood Decoration “Commander in the Order of the Crown“ from H.M King Albert II of Belgium. This award was given for Mr. Ho’s contribution on the development of links between the Thai and Belgian jewelry industries. Also pictured (from left) Mrs. Patra Sila-on, Mr. Amaret Sila-on who also was awarded a knighthood, Belgian Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Rudi Veestraeten, W.K. Ho, Margaret Ho, Muriel Ho and Kennedy Ho.

1994

MYANMAR THE GOLDEN LAND

1994

MYANMAR THE GOLDEN LAND

Much has been written about Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) over the past one hundred years and more. The subjects include ancient and modern history, art and culture, bibliographies, ethnic minorities and the British colonial era. Well-known authors and personalities include Rudyard Kipling, George Orwell, Dr. Htin Aung, Albert Fytche, D.G.E. Hall, Somerset Maugham and Morris Collis.

Published by Halpin Ho

1994

MYANMAR THE GOLDEN LAND

1994

MYANMAR THE GOLDEN LAND

1994

FIRST WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM IN BURMA

FIRST WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM IN BURMA

In 1995 the Ho Group organized the first World Economic Forum in Burma. Political and business leaders converged to address issues in the greater Mekong region.

1995

FIRST IGC IN THAILAND

FIRST IGC IN THAILAND

AIGS hosted the 27th International Gemological Conference (IGC) in Bangkok in 1995, making it the first time the IGC was organized in Thailand. Over 140 participants from 33 countries attended.

1995

THE GOLDEN JUBILEE DIAMOND

1996

THE GOLDEN JUBILEE DIAMOND

AIGS issued a comprehensive gemological report on the Golden Jubilee Diamond weighing 545.67 carats, making it the world’s largest faceted diamond. The Golden Jubilee Diamond was christened by HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the occasion of his Majesty’s 50th Anniversary of his Accession to the throne.

1996

POPE JOHN PAUL II

POPE JOHN PAUL II

Henry Ho is granted an audience with Pope St. John Paul II to receive blessings for the “Golden Jubilee Diamond” and prayers for Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s longevity.

1996

THE GOLDEN JUBILEE DIAMOND TOURS THE WORLD

THE GOLDEN JUBILEE DIAMOND TOURS THE WORLD

From left are Mr. Warren Buffett, Ms. Susan Jacques, President and CEO of Borsheims, Mr. Halpin Ho and Mr. Henry Ho at the Golden Jubilee Diamond Exhibition in Omaha, hosted by Borsheims, the largest independent jewelry store in the United States. Showcased in the center is Pech Kanchana Pisek (The Golden Jubilee Diamond).

1996

JTC GRAND OPENING

1996

JTC GRAND OPENING

JTC GRAND OPENING

Suthichart Chirathivat (Central Department Store), Vichai Maleenond (Chairman of Channel 3), General Prem Tinsulanon (President of Privy Council), W.K. Ho (Chairman of Ho Group)

Asia’s largest gems and jewelry marketplace the Jewelry Trade Center (JTC).

This multi-purpose building is comprised of 180,000 square meters of office, retail and residential space, situated on 59 floors. The JTC continues as one of the world’s most prominent gemstone and jewelry trading hubs. AIGS School and Lab are currently located at the prestigious Jewelry Trade Center.

1996

THAI GEMS AND JEWELRY HERITAGE

1996

THAI GEMS AND JEWELRY HERITAGE

Gems and jewelry have always been important in Thai culture. Traditions linking them to superstitious beliefs and fashion in dress go back many centuries. Sophisticated adornments have been unearthed among prehistoric remains of the Ban Chiang era.

Published by Halpin Ho

1996

THAI GEMS AND JEWELRY HERITAGE

1996

THAI GEMS AND JEWELRY HERITAGE

1996

HM KING’S CUT DIAMOND

1997

HM KING’S CUT DIAMOND

The AIGS Lab issued diamond reports for the King Bhumibol Diamond collection. A US patent has been obtained for this special diamond cut. The image opposite shows a D flawless, round brilliant HM King’s Cut diamond that was set into the all handmade Swiss watch brand by Sarcar.

1997

DIFFUSED SAPPHIRE

2003

DIFFUSED SAPPHIRE

AIGS Lab was among the first to detect sapphire diffusion treatments for corundum. After finding that coloration entered the surface of the gem, a dialogue was initiated among major labs around the world to classify this new treatment

Image : Color concentration along the two-phase fingerprint in a diffused sapphire.

2003

GLASS FILLED-RUBIES

2004

GLASS FILLED-RUBIES

AIGS Lab was the first gemological laboratory to report and to warn the trade to be aware about the glass filling treatment found in low quality rubies, “transforming” them into “fine” quality stones.

Image : Flattened gas bubbles in a lead glass filled ruby

2004

AIGS + GUBELIN JOINT RESEARCH

2005

AIGS + GUBELIN JOINT RESEARCH

In 2005, AIGS and Gubelin Lab Switzerland conducted a joint research project to collect scientific data of gem samples from different localities of the world. The gemstone database developed from this research would become important in determining “country of origin”. Henry Ho with Dr. Eduard Gubelin

2005

AIGS + PIFD

2013

AIGS + PIFD

The Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD) signed an MoU with the Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences (AIGS). signed the agreement establishing a formal collaborative framework . Vice Chancellor Hina Tayyaba of PIFD, and AIGS General Manager, Benyaphat Chiatchonbut, signed the agreement establishing a formal collaborative framework.

2013

NGTC CHINA

NGTC CHINA

Kennedy Ho, Chairman of AIGS and Benyaphat Chatchonbut, General Manager of the Ho Group visited NGTC and met with Yang Lixin, Director of Training Department of NGTC (Affiliation department of NGTC) , Lu Tajin, Chief Research Scientist of NGTC Lab, Ke Jie, Deputy Director of NGTC, Bi Lijun, Deputy Director of NGTC, Chen Hua, Director of Research Department (Affiliation department of NGTC).

2014

GEM DICTIONARY

GEM DICTIONARY

AIGS launched the Gem Dictionary App with translation of gemological terms from English to Chinese and Chinese to English.

2014

TONGJI UNIVERSITY

TONGJI UNIVERSITY

AIGS Chairman Kennedy Ho and Mr. Chen Xiaokong, Dean of Tongji University Zhejiang College, sign a Memorandum of Understanding for Research, Education and Training Corporation.

2015

JIANQIAO UNIVERSITY

JIANQIAO UNIVERSITY

Signing the cooperation agreement between AIGS and Jianqiao University, Shanghai, China to begin training programs taught by AIGS.

2015

CHINA UNIVERSITY OF GEOSCIENCES

2015

CHINA UNIVERSITY OF GEOSCIENCES

AIGS Chairman Kennedy Ho and Mr. Yang Mingxing , Dean of China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, sign a Memorandum of Understanding for a Student Exchange Program and Gemological Collaboration Projects.

2015

 

2017

GEM ALLIANCE

AIGS and GGTL announces they are joining forces to form the Gem Alliance, a cooperation between Kennedy Ho and the founders of GGTL, Franck Notari and Dr. Thomas Hainschwang

Commenting on the Gem Alliance, Kennedy Ho said, “We recognized that by working together, we make our labs stronger.” The AIGS Lab, based in Bangkok, serves the gem and jewelry industry and the public alike with a comprehensive range of gemstone and jewelry analysis reports. GGTL Laboratories (GemLab and GemTechLab), based in Geneva and Liechtenstein, is a 20 year old, fullservice, independent gemological testing lab. Founded and managed by renowned gemological experts and researchers Franck Notari and Dr. Thomas Hainschwang , GGTL’s team of professional gemologists provides the complete range of lab services for diamonds, gemstones and pearls, with specialist focus on a number of advanced fields of research, including fancy colored diamonds and synthetic diamond detection.

2017

WORLD RUBY FORUM

2017

WORLD RUBY FORUM

WORLD RUBY FORUM

AIGS was one of the organizers of the World Ruby Forum, which took place in Bangkok Thailand. Well known industry players from around the world presented the latest gemological and scientific research on ruby, as well as current market updates on the “King of Gems”. In addition to AIGS, the organizing committee included the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (GIT), the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce (MOC), the Jewelry Trade Center (JTC) and the Association Française de Gemmologie (AFG).

2017

THE WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL RUBY CONTEST

2017

WORLD RUBY FORUM

THE WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL RUBY CONTEST

AIGS was one of the organizers of the World’s Most Beautiful Ruby Contest, a competition that brought together a collection of the world’s most rare and most beautiful rubies. Entries were submitted from around the world and winners were announced at the 60th Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair. The Royal Trophy was granted by Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol.

2017

MOGOK THE VALLEY OF PRECIOUS STONES

AIGS publishes the book “MOGOK, The Valley of Precious Stones.”

The book was produced by a “dream team” of renowned gemmologists including Dr. Emmanuel Fritsch, Franck Notari, Dr. Thomas Hainschwang, Candice Caplan and respected reporter/photographer Jean-Baptiste Rabouan.

“We conducted five expeditions of unprecedented scale and scope, enabling us to travel through the entire valley, visiting normally inaccessible mines, and collecting precious samples,” said Executive Editor Kennedy Ho, Chairman of AIGS.

Experts, teachers and students of gemmology will find in this work previously unavailable, often surprising, yet highly precise information on the incredible ‘natural gemstone factory’ that is the Mogok Valley.

2018

2018

ICA CONGRESS BANGKOK

ICA CONGRESS BANGKOK

Thailand is the first country to host the ICA Congress for the third time - in 1987, 2005 and in 2019. The 2019 Congress saw its largest ever turnout with a total of 370 delegates from 26 countries including the world’s leading gemologists, miners, retailers, gem dealers and jewellery designers.

2019

ICA CONGRESS BANGKOK

ICA CONGRESS BANGKOK

Members of the steering committee - Henry Ho, Ashoo Sinchawla, Santpal Sinchawla, Prida Tiasuwan, Kennedy Ho and Phuket Khunprapakorn.

2019

ICA CONGRESS BANGKOK

2019

ICA CONGRESS BANGKOK

AIGS Chairman Emeritus Henry Ho is honored with the ICA Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing members who have made outstanding contributions to ICA and the gemstone industry at large.

2019

AIGS APP

AIGS launches the AIGS App to securely verify our gemstone reports and protect clients against counterfeit reports.

Clients can check if an AIGS report is genuine by scanning the report with our app, by using the report verification function on our website www.aigsthailand.com or by enquiring via email and sending a photo of the report to info@aigsthailand.com

2019

AIGS APP

 

 

2019

AUGMENTED REALITY

AUGMENTED REALITY

AIGS is proud to present the world’s first Augmented Reality (AR) technology on a gemstone report. While traditional gemstone reports are primarily text and images, our valued customers can obtain virtual insights and gain a deeper understanding of each precious gem through AR.

Launch the AIGS App and scan the AR code to discover more.

2019

 

 

 

PROVIDED-BY-AIGS

2019

AIGS CHINA GRAND OPENING

2020

AIGS CHINA GRAND OPENING

AIGS CHINA GRAND OPENING

AIGS Lab opens its first branches in China, first in Shanghai and subsequently in Shenzhen.

2020

AIGS X NGTC

2021

AIGS X NGTC

AIGS signs a cooperation agreement with China’s National Gemstone Testing Center (NGTC).

The collaboration will help promote the integration process of Asia-Pacific jewelry standards under the AGA (Asia-Pacific Gemstone and Technology Standardization Alliance).

The signing ceremony was attended by Ye Zhibin, NGTC Director, Ke Jie, NGTC Deputy Director, Lu Taijin, NGTC Chief Scientist, Kenedy Ho, AIGS Chairman, Henry Ho, AIGS Honorary Chairman and Gloria Chen, AIGS China General Manager.

2021

AIGS E-REPORTS

2022

AIGS E-REPORTS

Created for the convenience of our customers in mind, our e-report is a compact, easy to carry QR code that eliminates the need for a traditional paper report.

Scanning the QR code with the AIGS App brings up details of the relevant gemstone report in digital version, all from the convenience of your phone. Moreover, stones that are 1.00 carat and above include a 360 degree video viewable in the AIGS App.

2022