So MANY Labs I've Never Heard Of?

[iLander]

I keep seeing listings for stones with reports from labs I've never heard of. Here's a quote:

"The stone comes with a complimentary Emteem Gem Laboratory, "ID Card," . . . The Emteem Gem Laboratory is the most respected gem lab in Sri Lanka."

This is just one example, but I've seen dozens of new names on eBay listings and vendor listings.

Who the heck are all these new labs?

Are they all really great, and it's just me being uninformed because I've never heard of them?

Or are there a bunch of low-tech labs (without beryllium equipment) pretending to be as good as AGL?

Either way, how are we supposed to tell the difference?

Do we need (or have) a list of actual reputable labs here on PS?

 

[chrono]

Not all labs are created equally. Just like GIA and AGS are the top notch labs in the USA with IGI and EGL being lower tied for the less accurate grading of diamonds, this also applies to coloured stone labs. And like AGS is unknown outside the US but HRD is well known in Europe, the same goes for some CS labs.

USA
AGL preferred with GIA next

The rest of the world
GIA, SSEF, Gubelin
There are a few up and coming labs that hold a lot of promise, such as Lotus
I'm not crazy about GRS' colour descriptors, but they are a solid lab.

For anything other corundum which requires better equipment,
AIGS, GIT, Burapha

 

[MollyMalone]

I just looked at the price lists for Richard Hughes' Lotus Labatory services -- yikes, the least expensive written reports are $2500 (spinel) and $3500 (ruby and sapphire), regardless of size, with a $1000 up-charge to add a high resolution digital photo of the stone submitted for evaluation.
http://www.lotusgemology.com/index.php/lab/prices

 

[LD]

We did have a thread years ago that had copies of lab reports as well so that people could see what they looked like.

I think one lab that had really dodgy looking reports BUT was quite well respected was in Tokyo - I can't remember the name - Emil or Tokyo lab or something?????

 

[Marlow]

I just looked at the price lists for Richard Hughes' Lotus Labatory services -- yikes, the least expensive written reports are $2500 (spinel) and $3500 (ruby and sapphire), regardless of size, with a $1000 up-charge to add a high resolution digital photo of the stone submitted for evaluation.
http://www.lotusgemology.com/index.php/lab/prices

Ähhhh Molly,

it is Thai Bath - one Bath is 0,0298 US Dollar...

2500 is around 75 $

 

[MollyMalone]

Whew, that those ฿ figures are in bahts, not dollars as I perceived them on my iPad, does make a big difference! I should have realized Lotus Labs wouldn't be so much out of whack with the pricing of other labs -- thank you so much for correcting me, Marlow.

 

[Dioptase]

@Chrono : you can add Christian Dunaigre and GGTL to the European list.

 

[chrono]

@Chrono : you can add Christian Dunaigre and GGTL to the European list.

I have heard of Dunaigre and the GGTL website looks very professional and informative. Thanks!


USA
AGL preferred with GIA next

The rest of the world
GIA, SSEF, Gubelin, Chris Dunaigre, Lotus Gemology, GGTL
I'm not crazy about GRS' colour descriptors, but they are a solid lab.

For anything other corundum which requires better equipment,
AIGS, GIT, Burapha, Tokyo Gem Lab, Emil Gem Lab, Nanyang Gem Institute

 

[T L]

@Chrono : you can add Christian Dunaigre and GGTL to the European list.

I have heard of Dunaigre and the GGTL website looks very professional and informative. Thanks!


USA
AGL preferred with GIA next

The rest of the world
GIA, SSEF, Gubelin, Chris Dunaigre, Lotus Gemology, GGTL
I'm not crazy about GRS' colour descriptors, but they are a solid lab.

For anything other corundum which requires better equipment,
AIGS, GIT, Burapha, Tokyo Gem Lab, Emil Gem Lab, Nanyang Gem Institute

I don't really trust fine emeralds to smaller labs either, since they don't often specify the type and amount of clarity enhancement, or irradiation of the material. I would preferably send them to AGL.

 

[iLander]

So my instinct is right; everyone pushing certs from probably unreliable labs.

The good guys are still the good guys and then there's everyone else. Okay.

Whew! Thought I was losing it there . . .

 

[iLander]

Chrono!

Just to clarify, when you say GRS you mean the Gem Research Swisslab?

I've seen stones with a that cert lately . . .

 

[minousbijoux]

Chrono!

Just to clarify, when you say GRS you mean the Gem Research Swisslab?

I've seen stones with a that cert lately . . .

I'm not Chrono, but yep, that's the one!

 

[chrono]

Minou,
Thanks for replying to ILander. I don't always check out every thread.

 

[minousbijoux]

Minou,
Thanks for replying to ILander. I don't always check out every thread.

You've done it for me!