New York, N.Y. – JANUARY 23, 2007 - American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) has added Wendi Mayerson as Senior Staff Gemologist. Mayerson, a geologist and Graduate Gemologist of GIA’s Resident Program, spent almost 14 years with the Gemological Institute of America. She began as an instructor, became Manager of the Resident Graduate Gemologist Program in both Santa Monica and Carlsbad and Manager of Advanced Gemology before transferring from GIA Education to the New York Identification and Research division of GIA’s Gem Trade Laboratory, where she spent her last 6 years as a gem identification expert. A published author and regular contributor to Gems & Gemology magazine, Wendi brings with her over 18 years of experience in the jewelry industry. She has worked in many different venues prior to her career at GIA, including customer service at Fortunoff, sales in the wholesale diamond trade, and wholesale inventory management in the watch and finished jewelry trade at Chopard USA. In her new position at AGL, Wendi will focus on color-origin analysis and treatment detection - two of AGL's cornerstone services.
"AGL built its reputation by pioneering full-disclosure grading reports for fine ruby, sapphire and emerald in 1977," says Cap Beesley, the lab's founder and president. "Since then, the trade has come to depend on us for verification of gemstone origin. Wendi, who holds a B.A. degree in Geology from Colgate University deepens our expertise in this crucial area of market value." Wendi will work with her former colleague at GIA, Christopher Smith, who recently joined AGL as Vice President and Chief Gemologist. "Wendi is a passionately curious and committed gemologist who will allow AGL to give top-quality service in colored stones and help us pursue an ambitious research agenda," says Smith, who served as director of the world-famous Gübelin Lab in Lucerne, Switzerland, from 1991 until 2003.
AGL was acquired by NASDAQ-traded Collectors Universe, Newport Beach, California, in 2006 and soon afterwards announced its Fast Track Program™ of gem identification reports for as little as $25 per stone. At the same time, it introduced its Prestige Program™ of detailed gemstone grading documents for fine gems. "These programs require a staff of seasoned gemologists with expertise in our full range of services," Beesley says. "Wendi isn't someone who has to be brought up to speed. She's already where we need her to be."
About American Gemological Laboratories
Founded in 1979 by C.R. “Cap” Beesley, American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) has been a pioneer as the first gemological laboratory to offer colored stone grading reports and comprehensive gemological origin reports. AGL is also the Official Colored Gemstone Laboratory of the Fine Jewelry CEO Summit, the JCK Las Vegas and JCK Invitational shows as well as the 2007 Platinum Sponsor of the ICA (International Colored Stone Association) World Congress in Dubai.
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:
Vanessa Lee
LUXURY BRAND GROUP
vanessa@luxbrandgroup.com
TEL: 949-724-9245
Cap Beesley
AGL
agl@aglgemlab.com
TEL: 212-704-0727
Chris Smith
AGL
chsmith@aglgemlab.com
TEL: 212-704-0727