* Gemological lab
American Gemological Laboratories: reports, scope, and how to verify a certificate
Specializes in colored stones. Best known for origin determination on rubies, sapphires, and emeralds — the AGL prestige reports are widely cited at auction.
Published May 30, 2026
Quick facts
- Full name
- American Gemological Laboratories
- Headquarters
- New York
- Country
- United States
- Founded
- 1977
- Status
- Active
- Scope
- colored stone identification, country of origin, treatment detection
What they're known for
Specializes in colored stones. Best known for origin determination on rubies, sapphires, and emeralds — the AGL prestige reports are widely cited at auction.
Report types
- AGL Prestige Gemstone Report
- AGL Brief Identification Report
Each of these describes and grades a stone — its measured properties, quality, and any detected treatments. Note that a grading report is not an appraisal: most labs document what the stone is, not what it is worth in dollars.
How to verify a report
To confirm a AGL report is genuine, check the report number against AGL's official online verification and make sure every detail on the printed document matches the database record. If the stone carries a laser inscription on its girdle, confirm it reads the same report number under magnification. Be wary of photocopied, scanned, or altered certificates — always trust the lab's own lookup over a piece of paper.
* Frequently asked
FAQ
- Q. Is a AGL report an appraisal?
- A. No. A AGL report grades and identifies a stone — color, clarity, cut, weight, and any treatments — but it does not state a dollar value. For an insurance or resale figure you still need a separate appraisal that prices the stone against the current market.
- Q. What does AGL grade?
- A. American Gemological Laboratories covers colored stone identification, country of origin, treatment detection. Each report documents the stone's measured properties so two parties can describe the same item in the same language.
- Q. How do I check a AGL report is real?
- A. Enter the report number into AGL's official online verification at https://www.aglgemlab.com/ and confirm every detail matches the printed certificate. Check that any laser inscription on the diamond's girdle matches the report number, and be wary of photocopied or altered documents.
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