What We Do:

When you bring your item of jewelry to our lab, we will perform the following procedures, right in front of you, while you watch:

• measure and weigh any stones presented(loose or mounted)
• grade stones for color,cut and clarity
• for diamonds: plot inclusions of center stone in order to re-identify in future(finger-printing)
• test metal mountings to determine fineness of gold or platinum
• explain anything pertaining to the item that a client might not understand
• determine value(retail,wholesale,liquidation,estate,tax purposes,etc.)
• for colored stones: determine whether natural or synthetic and if treated when possible

When completed, your information is entered into our computer database and kept on file indefinitely. We will produce two copies of an appraisal report, one for your records and one for your insurance company if necessary. An appraisal is usually effective for three to five years. When the need arises, you may contact us for an updated appraisal at a reduced fee.

When grading your jewelry, we make use of the following equipment:

• Binocular Microscope(10x-60x)
• 10x Loupe
• Leveridge Gauge
• Micrometer
• Table Gauge
• Master Comparison Stones For Color
• Ultra-Violet Lamps to Test For Flourescence
• Electronic Carat Scale
• Acid Test For Gold Finess
• Refractometer
• Polariscope
• Fiber-Optic Light
• Electronic Diamond Tester
• Spectroscope