Nafco Gems Ltd. Of the United States is considering establishing a high precision cutting factory in Bangkok as standards for better cut gemstones and strict calibrations rise, according to company president Roland Naftule.

            “There has never been in Bangkok or anywhere in the Far East factories that are involved in highly sophisticated cutting, “Naftule said in a recent interview in Bangkok. “Our intention is to set up this facility. This kind of cutting is not available in the Orient.”

            The factory, if built, would be small, equipped with very expensive machinery and employing dozens of workers, he said.

            “Bangkok has become the center for the jewelry industry in the world. I think it’s going to continue to grow. The only way I can see the growth stop is the high cost of labor,” he added. Cutting of both color stones and diamonds has now changed Bangkok into a one-stop shopping destination . “It’s all here in one area, one city,” “Naftule says.

            Naftule, who served as ICA president from 1985 to 1989 said the non-profit International Colored Gemstone Association needs active support from many members to get results. The association’s nine-point program includes the promotion of colored gemstones throughout the world, promotional issues related to the industry, incentives for scientific solutions to problems concerning colored gemstones and cooperation with laboratories and organizations like CIBJO (Confederation Internationale de la Bijouterie Joaillerie, Orfevrerve, des Diamants, Perles et Pierres) whose concern with rules and nomenclature affect members.

            “I would like to see more done, more people sincerely dedicated, but it takes a long time,” Naftule said of ICA, whose membership now nears 500. “I dreamt ICA would work. It can work. People in General could make it work. Here’s a chance to get result.”