(PRESS RELEASE) NEW YORK — For over 45 years, the International Gemological Institute (IGI) has been a global authority in the jewelry certification and grading industry, its New York office announced efforts to extend its leadership by becoming the first gemological laboratory to commit to becoming carbon neutral certified. In partnership with SCS Global Services, the Institute’s U.S. presence will actively work to offset its carbon emissions by 2022 and achieve carbon neutral certification.
“Our environment is an interdependent system where everyone has a role to play, and I am proud of the Institute stepping up and enacting real change,” said IGI North America President Avi Levy. “While we are pioneering the practice in our sector, we look forward to others joining us in our environmental stewardship.”
IGI New York and SCS Global Services will kick off the partnership by evaluating the Institute’s greenhouse gas emissions from June 2020 to May 2021. Upon thorough evaluation and analysis, both parties will devise an action plan that will solidify a strategy and timeline. Once confirmed, IGI New York will commit to purchasing and retiring carbon offsets to mitigate the greenhouse gas impact. After successful implementation, SCS will complete the assessment that will validate the Institute’s carbon neutral certification, which the gemological laboratory plans to renew annually.
“For six months, IGI New York will be closely engaged with SCS to learn about our operations and how to effectively become a green location,” continued Levy. “Securing carbon offsets reinvests in the future of our community and our planet.”
Since 1984, SCS has been a trusted, strategic auditing and certification partner for their clients. The team’s talented climate experts have brought environmental and climate solutions to Fortune 500 and start-up companies.
To learn more about IGI and the Institute’s offerings, visit www.igi.org and gemblog.igi.org.
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Family Legacy, New Chapter: How Wilkerson Turns 89 Years of History Into Future Success
After 89 years of serving the Albany community, Harold Finkle Your Jeweler faced a pivotal decision. For third-generation owner Justin Finkle, the demanding hours of running a small business were taking precious time away from his young family. "After 23 years, I decided this was the time for me," Finkle explains. But closing a business with nearly nine decades of inventory and customer relationships isn't something easily managed alone.
Wilkerson's comprehensive approach transformed this challenging transition into a remarkable success story. Their strategic planning handled everything from advertising and social media to inventory management and staffing — elements that would overwhelm most jewelers attempting to navigate a closing sale independently.
The results speak volumes. "Wilkerson gave us three different tiers of potential goals," Finkle notes. "We've reached that third tier, that highest goal already, and we still have two weeks left of the sale." The partnership didn't just meet financial objectives—it exceeded them ahead of schedule.
