Smith meets challenge of distinguishing natural from dyed coral in “Pink
to Red Coral: A Guide to Determining Origin of Color,” published in Spring
2007 issue
New York, NY, July 26 – Christopher P. Smith, internationally
renowned gem expert, vice president and chief gemologist at American Gemological
Laboratories (AGL), recently served as lead author of a groundbreaking article
published in the Spring 2007 issue of Gems & Gemology, the award-winning journal.
The article, “Pink to Red Coral: A Guide to Determining Origin of Color,”
was co-authored by Shane F. McClure, Sally Eaton-Magana, and David M. Kondo. The
authors addressed the issue of how to distinguish between natural and dyed pink-to-red
coral – which has become increasingly important as the supply of natural-color
coral has decreased and the quantity of dyed coral has dramatically risen.
What they discovered was a definitive and non-destructive answer to a challenging
identification issue: “In this case, we found that Raman and photoluminescence
spectroscopy were found to provide the answers to conclusively determine the origin
of color in the most highly valuable color varieties of coral,” Smith says.
“Prior gemological methods for attempting to make this determination were
not always definitive and tended to be semi-destructive.”
“We’re very pleased to have solved this identification issue with
methodology that is routine in many gemological laboratories today,” says
Smith of the Gems & Gemology article on coral. “Now, any uncertainty
about determining the origin of coral color and potential harm to the item being
tested can be eliminated.”
With twenty years experience in the gemstone industry, including as director of
Switzerland’s Gübelin Laboratory, Smith joined AGL in 2006 to oversee
a uniquely qualified group of experts committed to continuing to expand AGL’s
reputation as an industry leader and innovator. He has become an integral part
of the AGL team, thanks to his in-depth knowledge of gem identification, treatment
analysis and origin determination.
About American Gemological Laboratories
Founded in 1977 by C. R. “Cap” Beesley, American Gemological Laboratories
(AGL), a
subsidiary of the publicly traded Collector’s Universe (NASDAQ: CLCT), pioneered
the
development of the world’s first comprehensive Colored Stone Grading System.
AGL has also
provided detailed country of origin and enhancement reports for some of the most
prestigious
retailers and auction houses in the world for the past three decades. Today, AGL’s
Fast Track
suite of services and comprehensive Prestige program offer certification services
for nearly all
gemstones. AGL has been designated the official North American laboratory of the
International
Colored Gemstone Association (ICA).
About Collectors Universe
Collectors Universe, Inc. is a leading provider of value added services to the
high-value
collectibles, diamond and colored gemstone markets, with the Company’s common
stock traded
on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol CLCT. For the most recent fiscal
year, CLCT
authenticated and graded over 3 million items valued at just less than $2 billion.
Contacts:
C.R. “Cap” Beesley
AGL
agl@aglgemlab.com
TEL: 212-704-0727