Still another "laboratory"

[boerumbiddy]

This Etsy listing offers "certification" dated 2009 from something called Gemological Hallmark International Co., Ltd.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/182351101/verragio-engagement-ring-platinum-ghi?ref=sr_gallery_18&ga_search_query=red+spinel&ga_ship_to=US&ga_ref=auto2&ga_explicit_scope=1&ga_order=price_desc&ga_page=1&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery
Ever hear of? Personally very suspicious.

 

[chrono]

I have not used this lab but from what little I've gathered, some vendors use them because they are incredibly cheap at only $20 or so for a brief. I do not know how accurate their testing is, how up to date they are with the latest synthetic and treatments, nor lab testing equipment used.

 

[T L]

My thing is that I refuse to use any lab that doesn't have a valid street address, phone number or website, and even with all of that, I need a reputable person to indicate it exists.

Even after all of that, there are certain gems I wouldn't send to small labs like that, like emeralds, rubies and sapphires.

 

[T L]

Forgot to mention that I have heard of that lab before. I'm unsure how good it is, but if a piece cost a great deal of money, I would want a more major gem lab, like AIGS, and I like that their gem brief includes a photo of the stone.

For rubies, sapphires and emeralds, I would want a top lab like AGL, GIA, SSEF, GRS.

 

[LD]

I was given a Ruby as a gift years ago and it was accompanied by one of their lab reports. Interestingly it was quite thorough! I also bought a Sapphire that was inexpensive and that came with one too. Neither were expensive stones. If they had been, I'd agree with TL's advice above.