Trade Associations

American Gem Society

Dedicated to Proven Ethics, Knowledge & Consumer Protection

What is the American Gem Society?

The American Gem Society was established in 1934 by a select group of independent jewelers and Robert M. Shipley, founder of the prestigious school of gemology, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). It was their vision to create an association dedicated to setting and maintaining the highest possible standards of business ethics and professionalism in the jewelry industry. Today, American Gem Society members continue their dedication to ethics, knowledge, and consumer protection.

AGS, The Highest Code of Ethics

To ensure our members practice the highest standard of business ethics, the Society prohibits certain business practices, including: Advertising which in any way is not the truth or has the intent to be misleading.
Advertising or setting artificially high prices as the regular price to allow a fictitious sale price or supposed discount.
Representing itself as a wholesaler and selling to the consumer.
Employing the technique of bait and switch, which is attempting to influence customers to buy an article carrying a high mark-up in place of the article requested.
Failing to advertise in accordance with recommendations set forth by the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.
Any member found in violation of the Society's code of ethics is subject to investigation and possible expulsion.

The Most Knowledgeable Professionals, AGS Members

Only a small percentage of those who apply for membership in the American Gem Society are awarded membership. In order for a firm to become a member of the American Gem Society they must meet the following criteria:

The firm owners, principals, or employees must have a high level of gemological knowledge. This includes having studied and completed the diamonds course from the GIA.
The firm must hold a reputation for unquestioned integrity in the business community and must be operated in a way that will enhance the confidence of the public in the jewelry industry.
The owners and principals must demonstrate that they are genuinely interested in high business ethics and the firm exemplifies this belief.
The firm must be a retail or supplier jewelry business that has been established for at least two years and has demonstrated financial stability.
Finding Your AGS Jeweler
American Gem Society jewelers are ethical, professional jewelers that you can trust. For further information, please visit the AGS website at www.ags.org or call 702-255-6500.

American Gem Society Titles

In an industry that provides little accreditation, the American Gem Society awards titles declaring members as skilled professionals upon completion of stringent gemological examinations and re-certifications. For you, this means AGS provides professional and trustworthy retail jewelers. A jeweler who advertises their AGS membership as Registered Jeweler (RJ), Certified Gemologist (CG), Certified Gemological Appraiser (CGA), or Certified Sales Associate (CSA), is separated from their competition as the true and trusted gemologically trained expert. Titles are renewed annually and members are required to uphold the gemological and ethical standards established by AGS.

Registered Jeweler (RJ)

- Earned by individuals who have gemological knowledge and who adhere to AGS' rigid ethical code. This title is good for one year only and must be renewed annually based on continuing education and on sustained ethical business practices.

Certified Gemologist (CG)

- The more advanced title offered by the American Gem Society requires additional study in diamonds and colored gemstones as well as the mastery of sophisticated testing procedures. CG titleholders must pass an annual exam to maintain their title.

Certified Gemological Appraiser (CGA)

- This title is the most highly regarded jewelry appraising title in the industry. Earning a CGA title requires more advanced training and experience in determining the value of gemstones and jewelry. CGA titleholders must also pass annual recertification exams to maintain this prestigious title.

AGS Means Consumer Protection

The American Gem Society affords the consumer additional reassurance and peace of mind by enforcing a grievance and review process of its members. The Grievance & Review Committee has the responsibility to ensure that all members of the Society adhere to the established standards and ethics of the Society.

A consumer may submit a written complaint against an AGS member to the Society headquarters. This grievance will be reviewed by the Executive Director of the Society to determine if the complaint is valid. If it is deemed valid, an in-depth investigative process involving the Executive Director, Grievance & Review Committee, and the Board of Trustees will be completed.

Diamond Information

Clarity

A diamond's clarity can be enhanced by several methods. Diamonds with large dark inclusions deep inside can be laser-drilled to remove these features. Laser drilling has been performed since the early 1970's.

Diamonds that have feathers reaching the surface may be fracture-filled to make these feathers less visible. Fracture filling may be performed to improve a diamond's clarity. The jeweler must disclose both of these enhancements. Seek a professional AGS jeweler for more information regarding enhancements, to help you make the best choice.

Comparison of AGS to GIA Clarity Scales

AGS	0	0*	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
GIA	Flawless	Internally Flawless	VVS1	VVS2	VS1	VS2	SI1	SI2	I1	I2		I3

*with a comment in the Comments section of an AGS Report

Color

Color is an important factor to beauty, rarity, and value because it is something a consumer can see without the aid of equipment. The range of color most often represented and sold in jewelry stores are: colorless to near colorless and their ranges are:
AGS grades 0-3.0
GIA grades D-J

Comparison of AGS to GIA Color Scales

AGS	0	0.5	1.0	1.5	2.0	2.5	3.0	3.5	4.0	4.5	5.0	5.5	6.0	6.5	7.0	7.5	8.0	8.5	9.0	9.5	10.0
GIA	D	E	F	G	H	I	J	K	L	M	N	O	P	Q	R	S	T	U	V	W	XYZ