The gemological sciences have grown in scope and technology at a high rate over the last 5-10 years. The basic vital instruments for gemological purposes such as microscopes, refractive indexes, specific gravities, fluorescence and others have been used for more than half a century. But with the onset of advanced treatments in gemstones today, advanced sciences have been introduced in the field to identify these.

Considered the premiere colored stone laboratory in the USA,
if not the world. Obviously we choose to use this more than any
other lab due to its exceptional reputation in research, technology,
staff, and ethics.

This is considered the premiere diamond grading laboratory in the world.
Most people that have shopped for a diamond will usually be familiar with
this lab. It is the oldest and most widely used gemological laboratory in the
world and most respected in diamond grading. The GIA does have a colored
gemstone division but it is not actively expanding or marketing its identification
services on colored gemstones as much as other labs. We do recommend GIA
as an excellent laboratory, though.

If you are in Europe, the Gubelin laboratory is the equivalent to the AGTA lab.
It has a long history and an excellent staff. If you don’t see many laboratory
reports from this lab in the USA it is because of the large shipping costs
associated with shipping high value stones overseas for reporting. Usually,
European collectors are most familiar with this lab. The Gubelin lab also
does diamond and pearl reporting as well. We recommend it highly.

The SSEF (Swiss Gemological Institute) is another leading laboratory in
Europe. It has not been in business as long as some other European labs,
but is considered to be as reputable and a reliable laboratory.
Professor Dr. Hänni has pioneered some very important research and
testing within the diffusion identification process in sapphires. He
continues to be a leader within the trade on this important subject.
We recommend the SSEF highly.

The GAAJ (Gemological Association of All Japan) is the premiere laboratory in Japan and Asia. Japan has a large
market for fine gemstones, and this lab continues to lead the world in the volume of certificates issued on
colored gemstones. Unfortunately it had an experience of falling victim to not catching some new treatments
entering the Asian market (diffused Padparadschas), but has since upgraded its technology and reliability.

The CISGEM (Centre for Information and Services in Gemology) is a leading laboratory in Italy.
It was established in 1966 as a small laboratory by the Italian government, but has since been privatized
and is now widely used within Italy. It is part of the LMHC, and maintains the levels of reliability in
reporting on gemstones to be a part of this exclusive group.

The GIT (Gem and Jewelry Testing Institute of Thailand) is located in Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand is known
to be the main trading and processing center for the colored gemstone industry. Most treatments to gemstones
happen in Bangkok and most of the laboratories in Thailand should not be considered reliable. The GIT has
been the only lab that is committed to maintaining the highest ethical and quality reporting standards needed in
order to be a member of the LMHC. For this reason we recommend the GIT and the acceptance of its reports.

If you are looking for information on a laboratory that is not listed here (part of the LMHC international group)
then you should seek at least a second opinion on the reputation of the laboratory. The LMHC is not an
“exclusive” marketing group or organization seeking to bar competitor laboratories. Rather, it is an organization
that shares research and reporting information within the group so that that it may always improve and
maintain quality and accuracy. A laboratory that is not a member of the LMHC is either not keeping strict
standards or does not have the needed equipment to accurately report on gemstones.