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- Oct 21, 2004
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Date: 8/30/2007 11:27:18 PM
Author: Richard Sherwood
Date: 8/23/2007 1:38:11 PM
Author: DiaGem
In the business... not just selling stones...Date: 8/23/2007 1:32:01 PM
Author: elmo
Date: 8/23/2007 1:28:19 PM
Author: DiaGem
Sorry Elmo..., there is much more than just that!
I''ve seen some of the discussions e.g. well publicized emerald cases. Everyone I''ve seen complaining about Cap is or has been in the business selling stones. Please enlighten me otherwise.
I guess I just witnessed another side of him!!!
By the way..., I think AGTA was born because of Cap''s willingness to ''serve(s) buyers rather than the trade''!!! Right?
I would like to comment that although Cap''s personality has rubbed some dealers wrong over the years, his lab was one of the premier and most respected labs in the world when it came to colored stone certification.
Richard..., As far as "his Lab" is concerned..., I cant say I have had too much experience with its colored stone grading!
As far as his "personality" is concerned..., I heard quite enough stories..., and experienced one story directly on my own skin!
So GCAL might be a great Laboratory..., but I would not submit any of my own Gems to a Laboratory headed by Cap!!
In addition, his services were by no means limited to privates. He served trade and public alike. His lab (now owned by Collector''s Universe with Cap as President) is used extensively by such retailers as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Graff, Fred Leighton, Sotheby''s, Christies, Bulgari, Harry Winston, Doyles and a multitude of other retailers and dealers. When I had my store I used AGL''s services extensively whenever I had an important colored stone. His report and Gubelin''s are probably the two most respected used by the major auction houses.
I know a lot of the major jewel houses used his services in the past..., and also know as soon as AGTA was born, a huge majority of business moved from AGL to AGTA.
DiaGem, I know of no improprieties that Cap Beesley or the AGL has been a part of since it''s inception in 1977, and I think it''s important to point out that the term ''controversial'' is referenced to Cap''s personality, which has been construed by some as ''blunt'' or ''opinionated''. As far as his standards and reports, from my personal experience they are top drawer.