ABOUT AGS:

The American Gem Society (AGS) is a trade association of professional gemologists founded in 1934 by Robert M. Shipley, who also founded the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Members are held to a high code of ethics with emphasis on consumer protection.The society is based in Las Vegas, Nevada and includes the American Gem Society Laboratories (AGSL) founded in 1996. The society trains and certifies jewelers, gemologists, and gemology appraisers. Diamond grading is the specialty of the AGS and the society has developed their own clarity and color standards.

THE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE PROFESSIONALS, AGS MEMBERS:

Only a small percentage of those who apply for membership in the American Gem Society are awarded membership. In order for a firm to become a member of the American Gem Society they must meet the following criteria:

The firm owners, principals, or employees must have a high level of gemological knowledge. This includes having studied and completed an Accredited or Graduate Program from the GIA or Gemmological Association of Great Britain.

The firm must hold a reputation for unquestioned integrity in the business community and must be operated in a way that will enhance the confidence of the public in the jewelry industry.

The owners and principals must demonstrate that they are genuinely interested in high business ethics and the firm exemplifies this belief.

The firm must be a retail or supplier jewelry business that has been established for at least two years and has demonstrated financial stability.

THE HIGHEST CODE OF ETHICS:

To ensure our members practice the highest standard of business ethics, the Society prohibits certain business practices, including:

• Advertising which in any way is not the truth or has the intent to be misleading.

• Advertising or setting artificially high prices as the regular price to allow a fictitious sale price or supposed discount.

• Representing itself as a wholesaler and selling to the consumer.

• Employing the technique of bait and switch, which is attempting to influence customers to buy an article carrying a high mark-up in place of an article requested.

• Failing to advertise in accordance with recommendations set forth by the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.

• Any member found in violation of the Society’s code of ethics is subject to investigation and possible expulsion.

ABOUT AGS LABORATORIES:

AGS Laboratories is among the best known and well respected diamond grading laboratories in the world. We have pioneered the development of the first scientific system that evaluates how well a diamond has been cut.

Cut is the most important “C” of all of the four “C’s.” When a diamond is cut well it reflects and refracts light to the maximum degree.

Throughout the world, AGS Laboratories has been acclaimed as an innovator because of the extensive research and development that was and continues to be devoted to how well a diamond is cut.

AGS Laboratories is respected by consumers, jewelry retailers, and diamond manufacturers alike for accuracy and consistency in every aspect of diamond grading including color, clarity, and carat weight.

MISSION STATEMENT:

AGS Laboratories LLC was founded to provide fast, consistent, and accurate diamond grading reports to the diamond manufacturing and retail jewelry communities. The mission of the laboratory also supports the mission of the American Gem Society which is based on three key principles:

• Consumer Protection
• Demonstrated Educational Achievement by Jewelers
• A Strong Commitment to Ethical Business Practices

Credentials of a Store to Receive AGS Acceptance and Membership

The American Gem Society is extremely selective whom they allow to be members. Of all the jewelry stores that apply for admittance, only a select few are approved for membership. Once approved, members must adhere to the AGS code of conduct, which includes:

• The business owners, managers and even the employees are required to have an extreme amount of gemological knowledge. They need to have completed either a graduate or an accredited program from either the GIA or the Gemological Association of Great Britain.

• The business must have the utmost of integrity when it comes to the business community and must always operate in a manner that helps the public have confidence in the jewelry industry.

• The business owners and managers should always show that they have a genuine concern about quality business ethics and that the business is an example of this.

• The business has to be a wholesale or retail jewelry business that has been established for a period of 2 years or longer and has proven financial stability.

What is The American Gem Society?

The American Gem Society is the organization that dedicates itself to making and following the best possible standards as far as ethics in business and to have total professional behavior in the jewelry industry. Robert M. Shipley (founder of the GIA) and a few other independent jewelers started the AGS in 1934. Almost 75 years later, the members of the American Gem Society continue to strive to protect consumers, promote the highest ethics, and to expand knowledge.

CONTACT:

Phone:
Tel: 702.233.6120
For Client Service, please press 2. For Accounting, please press 3 .
Fax: 702.233.6125

Email:
Client Service: support@agslab.com
Accounting: accounting@agslab.com
Marketing: marketing@agslab.com

GLOBAL REPRESENTATIVES

AGS Laboratories has several global representatives that we work with to make sending your diamonds to get an AGS Laboratories diamond grading report even
easier.

India
GSI Gems Services Int'l, Pvt. Ltd.
Krishna Bhavan, 2nd Floor,
511, S.V.P. Road
Mumbai 400 004 India
Tel: +91.22.3240.2976 or 3295.5589
Mobile: +98217.70891
E-mail: agslgsi@gmail.com

Israel
Tower Building
54 Bezalel St.
Ramat-Gan
Israel 52521
Tel: 3 575 9943
Fax: 3 612 0693

Canada
Ste 1301 - 55 Queen St. E
Toronto, Ontario M5C 1R6
Canada
Tel: 416 366 6518
Fax: 416 366 6519

Hong Kong
Rm703,7/F,
Chinachem Leighton Plaza,
29 Leighton Road,
Causeway Bay, HK
TEL: 852 - 2234 0997 / 2234 0977
Fax: 852 - 3007 5415
E-mail: tlovedpy@netvigator.com / eighthearts@gmail.com