History of Gemological labs

[Kelly]

When did the use of gemological labs start? Is this just within the last few years or has this been going on for decades? Which was the first official gemological lab? Who started the GIA labs and when?

Kelly

[Gregory Diamond]

Hi Kelly,

I'm not positive about your first two questions, I'm sure womeone will know but as far as GIA;


GIA was founded in 1931 by Robert Shipley in Los Angeles. In the same year, he published his groundbreaking book, Gemology, and by that summer, 250 jewelers had enrolled in his courses. Some would later become instructors and researchers at the Institute.

Greg

[JLPJ]

When did the use of gemological labs start? Is this just within the last few years or has this been going on for decades? Which was the first official gemological lab? Who started the GIA labs and when?

Kelly

Kelly:

You may find some answers here:

EGL

http://www.eglusa.com/about.html

PGS

http://www.progem.com/qualifications.html

IGI

http://www.igiworldwide.com/

AGS

http://www.agslab.com/

Each site gives a brief overview of the history of the organization.

[Mednikow]

As Greg noted, the GIA was founded in 1931. I'm not sure when it started to issue diamond grading reports (i.e. "certificates"), but in any case, they weren't in widespread use all through the 1950s, 1960s and into the 1970s. At that time, certificates were used only within the trade and only for the very best diamonds...most diamond dealers would not bother to submit a stone if it were lower than a G-VS1.

The diamond investment boom (or, perhaps I should say "diamond investment scam" or "diamond investment bubble") in the late 1970s and early 1980s led to more widespread use of certificates and a proliferation of labs to support that demand. (Most of those labs no longer exist.)

After the prices of diamonds collapsed in the early 1980s, certificates again became something used mainly within the trade, although it became more common to submit stones down into some lower grades...perhaps down to JK-SI1.

At some point in the early 1990s, Jerry Ehrenwald, owner of the IGI, negotiated to grade, inscribe (or engrave), and value all the diamonds for several of the large chain stores, like Service Merchandise. Jerry virtually invented the mass market for certificates, in my opinion. At this point, you started seeing certificates for diamonds of all qualities, well into the lower colors and imperfect clarity grades.

The arrival of the internet in the mid 1990s created a huge new demand for diamond certificates, because internet buyers couldn't actually see the diamonds before purchasing them and needed third-party verification of the diamond quality. As in the late 1970s, there are a huge number of new labs that have popped up to serve the demand created by the internet. Some are good and some are not so good.

I'm sure others can add their knowledge to this time line.

Jay A. Mednikow

[Jeff A.]

Saw a diamond grading report last week that was almost the exact twin
of GIA report...colors, quality of paper, logo style, etc.
From a lab based in New York.
As if the consumer doesn't have enough to be concerned about.

Jeff A.

Metro Jewelry Appraisers

www.metrojewelryappraisers.com

[Bill Bray]

When did the use of gemological labs start? Is this just within the last few years or has this been going on for decades? Which was the first official gemological lab? Who started the GIA labs and when?

Kelly

-------------------

Kelly,

I am under the impression that the proliferation of certificate use started in the late '60's, when the Japanese had a very strong currency and started looking to buy diamonds with it. They were very a skeptical culture and it was throught this skepticism that gave rise to the use of the GIA Diamond Grading Report.

I can't provide documentation on this, but it's something I learned along the way of my thirty years affiliated with the biz.

Bill

[Kelly]

Is documentation of a gemstone or diamond really neccesary? Can I get insured without it?

[Bill Bray]

Kelly. Ask your insurance agent with whom you will insure it with. I'm sure he'll have requirements. Perhaps a well written sales invoice would do, but you'll have to ask him.



Bill

[panachegems]

Oh Boy do I remember the Gemstone Boiler Rooms in the 70's. I was getting stones from people left and right that were buying these things. I still have some of them. They were encapsulated in a plastic container with a seal. These stones had a microfinch (sp) of the "IGI or IGL" Cert inside of the plastic case. These stones came with an appraisal also. These appraisals were for consumers without brains.
The "Kicker" was the little words on the case the stone was in. If this case/seal is broken the appraisal and cert are void.
I have a few of these if no one has ever seen them. I keep them for nostalgic reasons.
I have a 1.01 Burmese Ruby with an IGI, or IGL Cert and Appraisal from 1974 for right at $10,000.00 It is still sealed as I don't want to void the paperwork, Right!
To be quite honest this Ruby has a fantastic color and clarity. Many times I have thought about pulling it out and seeing what it really is. It is probably worth about $1500.00/2,000.00 today. :D