KIG International Group formerly Knupfer International Gems Inc. was founded in 1968 by Alberto Knupfer, a second generation gem dealer, who was born in Rio de Janeiro and grew up in Minas Gerais, Brazil where he gained his cutting skills at an early age as an apprentice in a town of mostly German cutters. He came to the United States in 1955 and started out as the premier cutter of Fabulite, also known as Strontium Titanate, which was then the latest imitation of a diamond; it was very successful in the marketplace for many years. Other simulates tried to compete with Fabulite such as GGG (Gallium Gadolinium Garnet) and Yag (Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) Eventually Cubic Zirconia (CZ) appeared replacing Fabulite as the #1 imitation diamond. Competition from inexpensive overseas cutters forced him out of the synthetic diamond market. Being from Brazil, he went back to his roots of buying and cutting semi-precious gemstones. So, in 1982 the company changed its name to KIG International Group and focused not only on Brazilian gemstones, but precious and semi-precious gemstones from all over the world!

With his wife Alicia, and the addition of their son Robert Knupfer in 1989 the company started to grow and developed a name as a premier supplier of loose cut gemstones for the jewelry industry. KIG International Group supplies gemstones for manufacturers, gem dealers and jewelry stores throughout the United States. As well as professional and quality lapidary service, for our customers. We now introduce ourselves to you for any and all of your gemstone needs. Memos are available to rated accounts.