AMERICAN GEMOLOGICAL LABORATORIES, LLC                                  

America's First and Most Highly Respected Origin Laboratory

The History of Innovation and Expertise

Founded in 1977, and located in the heart of New York's gem and jewelry district, American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) is an international gemstone testing facility specializing in comprehensive colored gemstone analysis. AGL provides detailed identification and enhancement reports, country-of-origin reports, as well as complete colored stone analysis documents tailored to gems of unique importance.

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

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

Throughout their careers, AGL's gemologists have advanced the cause of full and accurate representation of every gemstone examined in our laboratory. This has included, but has not been limited to, complete disclosure of gemstone treatments, as well as developing clear and understandable reporting formats. On numerous occasions, AGL has pioneered gemological understanding and procedures to address challenges facing the gemstone and jewelry industry while developing methodology to put these findings into practice.

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 Collector's Universe 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.

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