Glittering Stones » Gemstone Research Centers » American Gemological Laboratories (AGL)

ABOUT AGL:

AGL was founded in 1977, and located in the heart of New York’s gem and jewelry district, AGL is an international gemstone testing facility specializing in comprehensive colored gemstone analysis. AGL provides identification reports, detailed enhancement reports, country-of-origin or provenance reports, as well as complete colored stone analysis documents tailored to gems of unique importance.

AGL was a pioneer in the colored gemstone industry as the first gemological laboratory in the USA to issue country-of-origin reports. Additionally, it was the first in the world to quantify colored stone quality in a clear and comparative manner. In addition to its position of leadership in gemstone documentation, AGL has extensive experience in consumer protection programs.

AGL has a long tradition of acquiring staff who are experts in the field of gemstone testing and reporting, and proper characterization and disclosure are the cornerstones of every AGL report. The Laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation, and applies standard gemological, as well as advanced analytical, techniques to each high quality determination it makes.

In 2006, AGL was acquired from original founder C.R. “Cap” Beesley by Collectors Universe, a leading provider of value-added authentication and grading services for high-value collectibles. At that time, Collectors Universe injected tremendous resources into AGL to expand its services and team of experts, as well as to bring all of its analytical, research and reporting instrumentation up to the highest standards currently available. In 2009, AGL was purchased and re-privatized by Christopher P. Smith, who had been Vice President and Chief Gemologist of the laboratory while under CU ownership.

AGL and Christopher Smith are members of the International Colored Stone Association (ICA) and the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA). Since early 2007, AGL has significantly expanded its work and collaboration with other industry, government and research organizations to promote a broader familiarity, better understanding and proper representation of gemstones and gem materials.

INDUSTRY-LEADING EXPERTISE:

C.R. "Cap" Beesley founded American Gemological Laboratories in New York City, an international gemstone testing facility, and Gemcore, a nonprofit research and education organization that sponsors events to provide up to the minute information about gem and mineral related issues for gemstone professionals.

He is also Director of Research for the Gemstone Standards Commission, an organization whose advisory board includes representatives from international auction houses, prominent retail jewelry firms, and faculty from universities and technical facilities.

"His work has been a primary force in bringing about universal changes in disclosure policies," said Antoinette Matlins. According to Matlins, Beesley's work has resulted in changes in the entire treatment arena, including laboratory certification, and his work has benefited the entire gem and jewelry industry, creating a more honest and forthright environment.

SERVICES:

AGL provides a wide range of colored gemstone reports and services to suit your individual needs. AGL reports range from the most comprehensive AGL Prestige Report-which includes country-of-origin, identification and enhancement information, as well as a full grading assessment - to the AGL GemBrief - which includes identification and enhancement information.

In addition to its Prestige and GemBrief Reports, AGL also offers additional gem testing services, such as Jewelry Reports for all types of mounted jewelry pieces, Batch and/or Random Testing for parcels or multiple gemstone lots, as well as Specialty Reports which are individually tailored for unique gemstones or gemstone suites.

In addition to its Prestige and GemBrief Reports, AGL also offers the following additional grading services:

Jewelry Reports – Specifically tailored reports to highlight and describe items of jewelry, including rings, pendants, necklaces, bracelets and entire suites. Pricing is dependant upon the number of items and type of service requested.





Specialty Reports – Single items, suites and other unique items: All materials, all sizes. These are tailored, multiple page reports that are priced individually depending upon the extent and uniqueness of the information to be presented, the number of items involved and other factors.





Batch/Random Testing – Parcels, lots or multiple gemstone related objects may be randomly or batch tested. The cost of such service is dependant upon the number of items and specific information required.





Rush Service – A 2-day rush service is available

COLLECTORS UNIVERSE ACQUIRES AMERICAN AGL Is Extending A Special Offer To All AGTA-GTC Customers In light of recent events surrounding the closure of the AGTA-GTC, we here at the American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) would like to reach out to their clients who have come to depend on quality identification and enhancement reports to support their colored stones sales and purchases. Submit your colored stones to AGL for Prestige Reports with a valid AGTA-GTC report and receive a significant reduction in our standard price.

GEOMOLOGICAL LABORATORIES AGL, an international forensic colored gemstone certification and grading laboratory, is one of the leading third party labs for colored gemstones, including colored gemstones that are sold at auction through Sotheby's and Christies and by jewelry retailers such as Cartier and Fred Leighton. In November 2005, Collectors Universe acquired Gem Certification & Assurance Lab and in December 2005 acquired all the assets of Gemprint. So the Newport Beach, Calif.-based company now owns a diamond lab and a colored stone lab.

AGL was founded by C.R. "Cap" Beesely, who is a Graduate Gemologist of the Gemological Institute of America and a recipient of numerous awards including the prestigious Antonio C. Bonanno Award for Excellence in gemology from the Accredited Gemologists Association, given annually to the individual who has made significant contributions to the field. Beesley, president of AGL since its founding in 1977, will retain the position even though the lab will be operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Collectors Universe.

AGL has one of the largest colored gemstone reference collections, with over 5,000 stones from various countries and specimens demonstrating the various enhancements and treatments, which is critical to the ability to accurately evaluate the nature and quality of colored gemstone enhancements and to determine the country of origin. Collectors Universe celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2006, and through it operating divisions, certified more than 3 million items in the last year value at almost $3 billion.

C.R. 'CAP' BEESLEY DISCONNECTS FROM AGL

New York--Well-known gemologist and former American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) President C.R. "Cap" Beesley is no longer affiliated with the lab, which is now under new ownership.Beesley, a Graduate Gemologist of the Gemological Institute of America and recipient of numerous industry awards, founded New York-based AGL in 1977, and remained at the helm even after its 2006 purchase by Collectors Universe, a Newport Beach, Calif.-based company that deals in the valuation of collectibles such as baseball cards and autographs. Over the weekend, news surfaced that former AGL Chief Gemologist and Vice President Chris Smith would be the new owner and operator of AGL, after opting to buy the lab's name and various assets from Collectors Universe.

The lab will continue to operate out of the same location, 580 Fifth Ave. in Manhattan, in the heart of New York City's Diamond District.

SMITH COMPLETES ACQUITION OF AGL

New York--Christopher P. Smith, former vice president and chief gemologist of the American Gemological Laboratories (AGL), has completed his acquisition of the lab.The new AGL will retain most of its original team, including Smith, Elizabeth Quinn Darenius, Maria Frances, Sun Joo Chung and Bilal Mahmood, providing a seamless transition and continuation of services, according to a media release.

CONTACT:

Mailing Address American Gemological Laboratories, LLC. 580 Fifth Avenue #706 New York, NY 10036 Phone: (212) 704-0727 Fax: (212) 764-7614 Email: agl@aglgemlab.com