Our Gemological Laboratory is fully equipped to generate certified appraisals.  We have the equipment necessary to identify unknown Gem materials and metals, and place values on jewelry for insurance purposes. 

Here Haig is checking a GIA certificate against the stone submitted for appraisal to assure that the original stone is still set in the ring.

  Pictured below are four of the master diamonds of our color test set the certificate for which was issued by the New York City GIA Gem Lab report # 1154.

GIA CERTIFIED MASTER DIAMOND COLOR TEST SET

Although the ideal situation is to be able to color grade gems loose, a careful comparison of set stones under the right lighting, many times with the use of magnification, allows Haig to estimate the color of set diamonds as well as loose stones.     Many stores create their own grading terms, but Haig uses Gemological Institute of America (GIA) terms to describe Clarity and Color.  He also offers a proportion analysis of loose diamonds.   

Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight, the four C's determine a diamonds value.  Should you be apprehensive about buying diamonds, Haig is happy to show you how you may gain the confidence to invest in a diamond or diamond jewelry.  A great advantage to dealing with us, is that we are able to accurately document the quality of the loose stones that we sell. 

Proportion analysis (Cut) is a multi-step, somewhat complicated process.  We use the process taught by the Gemologoical Institute of America that allows us to compare every modern cut round diamond to that of one cut to IDEAL or Tolkowsky proportions.

The Master Color Diamond Set pictured above was certified by the Gemological Institute of America.  This allows us to accurately assign color grades to the loose gems that we appraise.

Clarity is judged under 10 power magnification using a special loupe or a binocular microscope, the lenses of which have been corrected for chromatic and spherical aberration.

Carat weight of loose gems is determined using a Voland Diamond Balance.  The weight of stones in settings is determined using an A. D. Leveridge gauge or another millimeter micrometer to determine the measurements which then are used in the appropriate formula to calculate an estimated weight.

Address any Gemological questions to Haig.  He may be reached through annecathryn@aol.com