AGL Acquisition Press Announcement - 2026

Dear All:

I am writing to share an important update regarding American Gemological Laboratories (AGL). A copy of the related press release is linked here , should you wish to review the announcement in more detail.

AGL has entered into an agreement to be acquired by the International Gemological Institute (IGI), one of the world’s largest and most trusted independent diamond grading and certification organisations. IGI is a listed company in India and is backed by Blackstone, the world's largest alternative asset manager, whose support has helped IGI strengthen its global capabilities, governance, and infrastructure over time.

I want to personally assure you that this development has been carefully considered with the long-term interests of AGL, our clients, and the broader coloured gemstone community in mind. Through IGI, AGL will gain access to a global infrastructure, strategic resources, and markets where we are not currently present. Together, we believe this combination will accelerate AGL’s growth in the coloured gemstone sector while preserving the values and standards that define our work.

Most importantly, AGL will continue to operate independently, under the AGL name, from our headquarters in New York. Our scientific methodology, reporting standards, and commitment to independence remain unchanged. I will continue to serve as President and Chief Gemologist of AGL, and the team you work with today will continue to serve you with the same care, rigour, and attention to detail you have come to expect.

This transaction is intended to support AGL’s future, not to change its foundation. It brings together unmatched global scale and infrastructure with the deepest scientific expertise in coloured gemstones, positioning the combined group at the forefront of certification & trust in the global gem and jewellery industry. This long-term investment approach provides additional strength and stability to support AGL’s continued growth, investment in science, and commitment to excellence.

My new business partner - Tehmasp Printer, Managing Director and Global Chief Executive Officer of IGI, also joins me in letting you know that this is a transformational step for the industry. By combining AGL’s scientific leadership in coloured gemstones with IGI’s global platform, we are building a future-ready certification ecosystem that delivers scale without compromising integrity or science. Together, we are setting a new global benchmark for trust, transparency and consistency in gemstone certification.

For our clients, this means continuity first — and opportunity over time. There will be no changes to how we operate, how we report, or how we engage with you. Any future developments will be guided by AGL’s longstanding principles of scientific excellence, transparency, and trust.

We are grateful for the confidence you place in AGL and for the relationships we have built over decades. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or any member of the AGL team.

Thank you for your continued trust and support.

Warm regards,

Christopher Smith
President & Chief Gemologist
American Gemological Laboratories (AGL)
New York, USA

WEBINAR - Ruby: King of the Colored Gemstones

In July of 2020, Chris Smith participated in an Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA) webinar explaining rubies and their treatments in depth. Check it out below for everything you want to know about rubies and how they’re treated as well as for a look to the future!

Two Large Rubies from the Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan

Picture by Bilal Mahmood.

Picture by Bilal Mahmood.

The most recognizable and diagnostic inclusion feature for rubies of Tajik origin consists of small negative crystals, each individually associated with basal-oriented thin films. These occur in groups along planar concentrations, as shown on the left, or as isolated features. Also present are fine, reflective stringers.

More research about these unique rubies from Tajikistan was published in The Journal of Gemmology, Volume 36, No 4, pp 288-289. See below for the article!

For a PDF of the full article, please click here!

JoG_2018_Vol36_No4_Large_Tajik_Rubies-1.jpg
JoG_2018_Vol36_No4_Large_Tajik_Rubies-2.jpg

Quartz Imitation of Star Sapphire

Picture by Bilal Mahmood.

Picture by Bilal Mahmood.

One blue cabochon a client assumed was a star sapphire was found to be natural colorless star quartz with a special blue backing that helped it pass for a sapphire.

The research was published in the The Journal of Gemmology, Vol 36, No 4, pp 288-289.

For a PDF of the full article, please click here!

JoG_2015_Vol34_No6_Imitation_Star_Sapphire-1.jpg
JoG_2015_Vol34_No6_Imitation_Star_Sapphire-2.jpg

Relics of Native Copper

Photomicrograph by Bilal Mahmood, magnified 58x.

Photomicrograph by Bilal Mahmood, magnified 58x.

Relics of native copper highlight the source of copper found encased in this Brazilian Paraiba tourmaline from the original area near São José da Batalha.

The research was published in the The Journal of Gemmology, Vol 36, No 3, pp 203.

Check it out below!
For a PDF of the full article, please click here!

JoG_2018_Vol36_No3_Copper_Inclusion_Tourmaline.jpg

Petroleum Inclusion in Pink Spinel

Photomicrograph by Christopher P. Smith; magnified 24x.

Photomicrograph by Christopher P. Smith; magnified 24x.

Our gemologist Monruedee Chaipaksa found a liquid petroleum inclusion in a pink spinel that may have come from Sri Lanka. The inclusion is similar to other inclusions found in rock crystal quartz from Pakistan. The find was published in the Journal of Gemmology, Vol 35(1), 2016 pp 20-21. To check out the research, see below.

To download a copy, click here!

petroleum in spinel003-1.jpg
petroleum in spinel003-2.jpg

Scapolite from Tanzania with Magnetite Inclusions

The inclusions in the scapolite consist of discoid and irregular-shaped black platelets that were identified as magnetite. Photomicrograph taken by Christopher P. Smith; magnified 32x.

The inclusions in the scapolite consist of discoid and irregular-shaped black platelets that were identified as magnetite. Photomicrograph taken by Christopher P. Smith; magnified 32x.

It can be said that gemstones have a magnetic personality all their own, which draws people to them. This scapolite from Tanzania certainly demonstrated this point through these exotic inclusions of the mineral magnetite.The photomicrograph on the left was taken by Christopher P. Smith; magnified 32x.

The research was published in the The Journal of Gemmology, Vol 35(3), 2016, p202

Check it out below!
For a PDF of the full article, please click here!

JoG_2016_Vol35_No3_Scapolite.jpg

Sapphires from Kina, Kenya

Photomicrograph taken by Christopher P. Smith; magnified 50x.

Photomicrograph taken by Christopher P. Smith; magnified 50x.

In 2014, AGL had the opportunity to examine some bi-color, blue, yellow, and green sapphires from Kina, Kenya. Found in the yellow color zone of one of these sapphires was this visually striking elongate planar cloud consisting of whitish, polka dot-like inclusions, as well as minute spots. The photomicrograph on the left was taken by Christopher P. Smith; magnified 50x.

The research was published in the The Journal of Gemmology, Vol 34(8), 2015.

Check it out below!
For a PDF of the full article, please click here!

JoG_2015_Vol34_No8_Kenyan_Sapphire-1.jpg
JoG_2015_Vol34_No8_Kenyan_Sapphire-2.jpg

Heated Sapphires with Unstable Color Centers

Evidence of relatively high-temperature heat treatment in sapphires with unstable color. Photomicrographs by C.P. Smith; magnified 52x

Evidence of relatively high-temperature heat treatment in sapphires with unstable color. Photomicrographs by C.P. Smith; magnified 52x

Recent research by Christopher P. Smith and the team at American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) regarding heated sapphires with unstable color centers has been published in The Journal of Gemmology, Volume 36, No 7, pp 602-604.

To download a copy of the research, click here!

JoG_V36_No+7_Heated+Sapphire+with+Unstable+Colour+Centres_KR1.jpg
JoG_V36_No 7_Heated Sapphire with Unstable Colour Centres_CPS-2.jpg
JoG_V36_No+7_Heated+Sapphire+with+Unstable+Colour+Centres_KR3.jpg

Maharajas & Mughal Magnificence Auction Preview at Christie's in New York

New York Times Casts a Spotlight on Rare and Unusual Gemstones

For a primer on some of the rarer gemstones out there, check out the “The Most Unusual Gems You’ve Never Heard Of” published in the New York Times on May 11, 2019. Christopher Smith, the president of AGL, lends his expertise and knowledge to help understand what makes some gems such as Red Beryl, Diaspore, Benitoite, Grandidierite and others extra special.

To read the article, visit — https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/11/fashion/jewelry-rare-gems-tanzanite.html

Modifications to Prestige report formats

Modifications to Prestige report formats

 
NEW YORK:  28 November 2016 ― Following changes instituted during the development of a new wholly integrated computer system, American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) has modified some of the features present on its Prestige level full-page reports.
 
Enhancements Section: An integral part of every AGL Prestige report is the section that discloses the presence or absence of possible treatments. In 2009, AGL took an innovative approach towards addressing gemstone treatments by separating them into Standard and Additional enhancements. This was done to help clarify that some treatments are commonplace for certain varieties, while others are not, as well as to the compound nature of gemstone treatments today.
 
Further, there were three additional elements that addressed A) Degree, B) Type and C) Stability of the treatment, if present. Previously, when there was no treatment present or any of these three elements were not relevant to a particular treatment, a distinction of ‘N/A’ (not applicable) was placed next to the appropriate area. See examples of AGL reports prior to 28 November 2016.
 
Going forward, these additional elements of Degree, Type and Stability will only be present on a report when associated with a particular treatment. No longer will there be a need for the ‘N/A’ designation to be used. See examples of AGL starting as of 28 November 2016.
 
Examples prior to 28 November 2016:

Examples as of 28 November 2016:
 

“This change being made is based on comments from our clients,” indicated Christopher P. Smith, President of AGL. “They have expressed that it was on occasion confusing for their customers when they read the N/A or Not Applicable statements on our reports, so we expect that this change will make our reports clearer.”
 
Provenance Section: For certain gem varieties, the AGL also offers the service to determine a gem’s country-of-origin. For stones submitted for an origin determination, if two essential criterions were met, then an additional label of AGL Classic™ was added to the origin (e.g. AGL Classic™ Colombia). These conditions are:
 

  1. The origin determination is of a high confidence level

  2. A gemstone exhibiting the kind of superior quality that helped to earn a particular source its name and reputation in the industry.


Prior to 28 November 2016, the term AGL Classic™ was only applied to select and more historical sources of a given gem variety, such as Burma (Myanmar), Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and Kashmir for sapphires and Colombia for emeralds and so on. This term was not utilized for all possible origins.
 
Going forward, the term AGL Classic™ may be applied to any source or origin for any gem variety where a country-of-origin determination may be requested, if the following conditions exist:
 

  1. The origin determination is of a high confidence level

  2. When the quality of a given gemstone is top gem-quality.

 
“The label of AGL Classic™ is used to distinguish a top, top gem.” Smith indicated. “Such superior-quality gems have the potential to come from any of the world’s gem sources, so we have made this change to acknowledge that it is not only the historical sources that are worthy of the AGL Classic™ designation.”
 

 
About American Gemological Laboratories
American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) is the United States’ most widely known and respected colored stone gem identification and quality-grading laboratory.  It was founded in 1977 and became the first gemological laboratory in the US to provide quality grading as well as country-of-origin determinations for colored stones. AGL has become an iconic brand for uncompromised standards and excellence in gemstone reporting (www.aglgemlab.com).
 
Contacts:                                            
Christopher P. Smith
President
agl@aglgemlab.com

Please join us for our 2016 Tucson Ruby Lecture!

Ruby Treatments: From Oiling to Diffusion…

And Everything In Between

Date: Friday February 5, 2016
Time: 1:00-2:00pm
Place: Tucson Convention Center, Mohave Room

Please Note: If you want to attend the hands-on lab session afterwards, you must be one of the first 30 people in line. We recommend arriving early. We look forward to see in you there!

American Gemological Laboratories (AGL)

What the retailer and appraiser need to know to recognize these gems and their proper disclosure

Abstract: In today’s market, ruby remains one of the most popular gems sold at the wholesale and retail level. Yet never more than now have such a breadth of various treatments existed in the marketplace for this revered gem. Unaltered versions of these gems are available, but the majority of rubies sold in the US and abroad have undergone some form of enhancement or treatment. These range from simple or rudimentary forms of enhancement that are easy to detect, to the very sophisticated, requiring advanced analytical techniques to identify. This lecture and workshop will review natural ruby available in the market today - both untreated and the various forms of treated.  It will also include lead-glass treated, otherwise known as Composite Ruby. Guidelines for how the average gemologist may recognize these various ruby treatments will be provided.  In addition, the first 30 attendees will have the opportunity to examine a number of examples. 

Chris Smith and AGL to be honored with the "Excellence in Gemology Award" by the IDCA

Dear Friends of AGL,

 

We are delighted to announce that Christopher Smith and American Gemological Laboratories are being honored with the “Excellence in Gemology Award” by the Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association (IDCA).  See below.

 

You do not need to be a member to attend the event and/or submit a congratulatory advertisement to be included in the IDCA Annual Gala Awards Night program. Please see the attached document for instructions.

 

Sincerely,

American Gemological Laboratories (AGL)

 

 

  

Sub: IDCA’s Prestigious Annual Tucson Gala

  

February 4th, 2016 - AGTA Gem Fair

  

Dear Friends,

We take great pleasure to inform you that IDCA’s signature 32nd Annual Tucson Gala will be held on Thursday, February 4th, 2016 during the AGTA Gem Show at the Marriott University Park Hotel in Tucson.

The Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association, New York, has a long tradition of honoring key industry persons and organizations that have made a meaningful contribution to the industry and social endeavors at our annual awards ceremonies in Tucson and Las Vegas. 

American Gemological Laboratories is the recipient of the “Excellence in Gemology” Award at this year’s event.  The award is in recognition of their exceptional services and upholding the integrity and ethics on gemstone identification in the industry. 

Our event is well attended by key industry leaders, jewelers and manufacturers and we are very happy to extend an invitation to you and your colleagues to share in this celebration to honor American Gemological Laboratories and Mr. Christopher Smith. 

Attached please find the information on the various sponsorship categories available for your convenience.  Kindly note the deadline for submission of any artwork is January 21st, 2016.  Please contact our office for any further information at office@idcany.org.

 

We look forward to welcoming you at our event. 

  

With warm regards,

Ashok K. Sancheti

President       

-- 

INDIAN DIAMOND & COLORSTONE
ASSOCIATION, INC.
(A Not-For-Profit Organization)

56 West 45th Street, 5th Floor

New York, NY 10036.
Tel: (212) 921-4488 Fax: (212) 768-7935 Email:  Office@idcany.org

 

 

 

   

AGL Celebrates 5 Years Under New Management

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AGL celebrates 5 years under new management
 

2 April 2014:  NEW YORK – American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) a provider of high-quality gemstone analyses and reporting (www.aglgemlab.com) today announced its 5-year anniversary under the stewardship of Christopher P. Smith.
 
During the 1st week of April in 2009, AGL was acquired by Mr. Smith after the company’s brief sojourn under the umbrella of Collector’s Universe, a NASDAQ-listed publicly traded company. AGL was originally founded by C.R. “Cap” Beesley in 1977.
 
“Five years ago AGL was reprivatized during one of the most difficult financial periods the US and world markets have experienced in recent decades. However AGL had a good reputation and we did not want to see this legacy fade away.” indicated Christopher P. Smith, President of AGL. “Since then, we have seen a tremendous amount of growth and expansion in the scope of our activities, raising the name and reputation of AGL even further. The industry seems to appreciate the attention to detail that AGL imparts in the results we give, the products we offer and the attentive, personal service we provide”.
 
Immediately after acquiring the lab, Smith decided to concentrate all of AGL’s efforts on strictly colored stone reporting services. AGL focused on developing and refining robust criterion to ensure high-quality, repeatable and consistent methodology to gemstone identification, treatment detection and country-of-origin challenges facing the gemstone and jewelry industry. 
 
Shelly Sergent, curator of Somewhere in the RainbowTM collection stated “Chris Smith and the AGL staff are knowledgeable professionals, who uphold impeccable standards, integrity and ethics for the gemstone industry. We use AGL exclusively for any gems to be considered for our collection.” She further indicated “AGL delivers the most informative and visually appealing certification in the industry. From the conclusions they present to the photos they provide, we find these certificates to add value to the provenance of our gems.”

AGL offers a comprehensive product line for the identification, enhancement disclosure, country-of-origin and full grading analyses of colored stones, such as ruby, sapphire, emerald, spinel and many other gem varieties. AGL provides independent laboratory services to a broad domestic and international clientele across the gemstone and jewelry industry. Clients range from major retailers to auction houses, wholesalers, manufacturers and privates.
 
In addition to the staple of the AGL’s product line, the Prestige ReportTM, AGL offers a lower-cost alternative for the standard identification and enhancement disclosure of gemstone via its innovative GemBriefTM format. In addition AGL has developed its premium product, known as the JewelFolioTM: A beautifully illustrated and detailed book to represent gemstones of singular importance.
 
The base of AGL’s operation is located along Fifth Avenue in the heart of New York City’s diamond and jewelry district however the laboratory has initiated the expansion of its brand and services by performing regular on-site testing programs during major trade shows in locations such as Tucson (Arizona), Las Vega (Nevada) and Hong Kong as well as other important market centers in Bangkok (Thailand), Colombo (Sri Lanka) and Kuwait.
 
“These first five years have seen significant growth in the AGL services, as well as brand awareness in terms of reputation and recognition. Our team is highly capable and focused.” laboratory manager Maria Frances stated. “In the coming months and years AGL will be investing heavily in the laboratory’s infrastructure to better handle the increasing volume, research and services.”
 
As a concluding remark Smith added: “Through our commitment to strict standards, high-quality products and personalized service, the AGL team is proud of what we have been able to accomplish in just five short years and we are looking forward to a very bright future.”
 
Click on this link to view some notable highlights from AGL past 5 years

AGL StaffFrom left to right: Alex Mercado, Maria Frances, Kelly Kramer, Christopher Smith, Helene Smith, Tatiana Houdegbe, Amy Neurauter, Bilal Mahmood, Bryan Clark, Monruedee Chaipaksa, Natalia Balogh

AGL Staff
From left to right: Alex Mercado, Maria Frances, Kelly Kramer, Christopher Smith, Helene Smith, Tatiana Houdegbe, Amy Neurauter, Bilal Mahmood, Bryan Clark, Monruedee Chaipaksa, Natalia Balogh

 

American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) is the United States’ most widely known and respected colored stone gem identification and quality grading laboratory.  It was founded in 1977 and became the first gemological laboratory in the US to provide quality grading as well as country-of-origin determinations for colored stones. AGL has become an iconic brand for uncompromised standards and excellence in gemstone reporting and is regularly featured by the auction houses of Christie’s and Sotheby’s for important colored stones they are offering for sale.
 
Contact:
Christopher P. Smith

Notable Highlights from AGL's past 5 years

Auction Houses and Famous Jewels: AGL is approached on a regular basis to perform testing on notable, unique and historic gems and jewelry articles. A couple of truly exceptional opportunities include:

  • The Elizabeth Taylor jewels: Christies – December 2011
  • The Atocha Gold and Emerald ornament: Sotheby’s – February 2013

 

Financial newspapers:

Christopher Smith Awards:

 

Composite Ruby:

 

Excursions to important gem-producing localities: As part of our continuing efforts to remain at the forefront of gemology, AGL travels to the world’s most important gem-producing regions. There is an endless pursuit to study new gem materials, gemstone treatments and gem deposits.

  • Tanzania: The Merilani tanzanite deposits
  • Mozambique: The Montepuez ruby deposits
  • Zambia: The Kagem emerald deposit
  • Burma: The Mogok valley

 

Presentations given at international conferences: AGL is regularly asked to participate in gemological conferences held around the world.

  • Accredited Gemologist Association (AGA): Tucson and Las Vegas
  • Gemological Institute of America (GIA): Symposium and various Alumni chapter locations
  • Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A): London, England
  • Scottish Gemmological Association (SGA): Edinburgh, Scotland
  • National Gemstone Testing Center (NGTC): Beijing, China
  • Canadian Gemmological Association (CGA): Toronto, Canada
  • GemWorld conference: Chicago
  • Christie’s: Hong Kong
  • Sotheby’s: Hong Kong

CIBJO ruling modifies definition to permit the word Composite to be used to describe lead-glass treated ruby

New York, 5 September 2013: During the most recent CIBJO conference this past May, the colored stone commission came together to address the disclosure nomenclature to properly represent the heavily treated lead-glass rubies that have been entering the industry in large numbers since 2003.

When CIBJO issued its press release following its 2013 conference in Tel Aviv (9 May 2013 press release), the colored stone commission issued its disclosure guidelines for lead-glass treated rubies.  In the release, it was explained that CIBJO would follow the guidelines set out by the Laboratory Manual Harmonization Committee (LMHC), as well as recognizing the use of the term composite to describe these stones.

In order to accommodate the second approach, the colored stone commission amended its definition for the term composite to allow it to be used to describe this product.  At the time of the press release, most publications focused primarily on the CIBJO decision to follow the LMHC in disclosing this product, without much mention of their pivotal change allowing for the use of the term composite to also represent these stones.

"AGL has received many comments from the industry members who did not fully recognize the impact and importance of the CIBJO decision following the conference, as it pertains to the use of the word composite for describing these heavily treated stones." Stated Christopher P. Smith, President of American Gemological Laboratories (AGL).

The previous definition of the word composite in the CIBJO Blue Book did not permit this term to be used as a description for these stones.

"This was a significant ruling for the CIBJO Colored Stone committee to make, which required a revision in the by-laws of the definition for the term composite." indicated Smith. "It was not unexpected that the CIBJO ruling would follow the terminology proposed by the LMHC. However, they have also approved the use of the word composite for this product, which was pioneered by the AGL."

The AGL's contention was always that this material represented a composite of lead-glass and natural ruby/corundum. This treatment process being fundamentally different from the more traditional heating practices used to treat rubies and therefore needed to be disclosed in a manner that made this distinction clear. In addition there are special care conditions inherent to this product that require further disclosure.

In closing Smith stated "I was very pleased to learn of the CIBJO decision to allow for both methods of describing this material. I believe that the CIBJO umbrella has again demonstrated its key fundamentals towards helping to establish useful and practical approaches for the betterment of our industry."

Background: Beginning in 2003, the industry saw a new type of treated ruby product entering the market in vast numbers. This treatment process took very low quality, industrial grade ruby and in-fused it with a high lead-content glass. In some cases the resulting stones are more ruby than glass however in other cases there is more glass than ruby. In all cases though the extent of glass in these stones is significant and there are special care requirements, as the glass may be damaged by a variety of standard bench jeweler practices and even household products.

The LMHC approach involves a multi-tiered disclosure for this lead-glass treated material that is dependent upon the extent of treatment. Only the most extreme cases are classified as "a manufactured product".

The AGL approach collectively describes all of this material as Composite Ruby, a product requiring special care.

Additional trade organizations that also recognize the term composite to describe lead-glass treated ruby: American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA), Gemstone Industry and Laboratory Committee (GILC), Jeweler's Vigilance Committee (JVC)

Cobalt-Colored Composite Sapphires Now Entering the Market

Composite Sapphires.jpg

28 January 2013: NEW YORK – American Gemological Laboratories (AGL): Gemstone treatments are a regular issue which the gemstone trade has to contend with. In May 2012, AGL first learned of a new type of treated sapphire which was becoming available in the Bangkok market “This treatment was first described to me as a new type of lead-glass treated corundum where a blue colorant was also introduced.” indicated Christopher P. Smith, President of AGL.


In November and December of 2012, clients of the AGL contacted the lab indicating that such stones were starting to be encountered in the marketplace. Recently a couple of samples were sent to the AGL by Dr. Cigdem Lule of GemWorld International Inc. Although the stones appeared fairly transparent and had a convincing “blue sapphire” color, color concentrations were readily visible upon closer scrutiny even with the unaided eye and were obvious with magnification using a 10x loupe or microscope (figure 1 below).

“A chemical analysis readily showed a high concentration of lead in addition to the aluminum oxide of corundum, with trace elements of iron and gallium, while a visible spectrum revealed absorption bands associated with cobalt.” Smith stated (figure 2 below).