American Gemological Laboratories to Re-Open

American Gemological Laboratories (AGL), which was closed by its owner, Collectors Universe, will re-open under the new ownership of Christopher P. Smith, AGL’s former vice president and chief gemologist for the past 2 years.

Smith has reached an agreement in principle to purchase the gem lab including its name and various assets from Collectors Universe.

Collectors Universe announced earlier in March that it is exiting the diamond and gem grading business and closed AGL and the Gem Certification & Assurance Lab (GCAL) diamond grading lab due to what it called revenue “uncertainties.”

GCAL was purchased immediately by the Palmieri Group, who founded the lab.

“I have been directly involved with the operation of AGL and having helped manage the business since December 2006, acquiring the lab seemed like a natural progression,” said Smith.

Founded in 1977, AGL is one of the best known colored stone gem identification and quality grading laboratory in the United States. AGL will operate at the same location and all contact numbers remain the same.