Is AGL faster than GIA?

[RRfromR]

I'd love to send an emerald out for testing, but GIA takes forever. I'm still trying to find someone local who is pretty knowledgeable about emeralds, however I don't have a lot of luck. My local lady doesn't touch antique emeralds but she told me she can't see any surface reaching fractures or major chipping, so at least this is a start.

 

[T L]

Call AGL and ask their turnover time. They’re very friendly

 

[fredflintstone]

Three to five weeks for a AGL "Brief."

More expensive and comprehensive reports may take longer.

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

You can pay more to speed it up. Took my 2 1/2 months with AGL this summer. Gia just let 10% of their Carlsbad staff go, so that’s not going to be quick either. I am considering Gublien NYC next time I’m spending a bit of money and want to verify.

 

[RRfromR]

@Mrsz1ppy this is terrible, I didn't know. I was talking to my local GIA jeweler and everyone is becoming more dependent on the labs, because the treatments are becoming very sophisticated and the tools for detection expensive.

 

[Grymera]

I just sent a sapphire to GIA and according to the website, submitting Oct 19 would mean a Nov 9 turnaround. Are they just straight up lying? This is for the NY lab.

 

[FinewaterGems]

I recently sent some stones to GIA Carlsbad and they were finished in three weeks.

 

[fredflintstone]

I've sent many, many, stones to the AGL. Three to five weeks for a brief as I wrote. But there are certain times they're busier than others and as I said, a more comprehensive report can take longer.

 

[PrecisionGem]

What are you trying to find out about your stone? I don't think a gem brief will tell you the level of treatment. If the person who looked at you stone told you there was nothing surface reaching, then oiling or filling would have no effect. However I suspect that there are things reaching the surface.

If you are looking for enhancement, origin and color grading, then you will need a "Prestige Grading Report". This is $445 if your stone is under 3 cts. You can ask for a rush (72 hours) and that doubles the price. Figure in shipping and you will be in for around $1000.

 

[RRfromR]

@PrecisionGem, wow that's a LOT. I usually send my stuff to GIA but for emerald they won't say what's the treatment, only if it's F1/F2/F3. I'll try to find another person here for a second opinion, my local jeweler is not a trained gemologist. So, if I understand correctly, without surface reaching fractures, there's no treatment? Emeralds are so difficult.

 

[PrecisionGem]

@PrecisionGem, wow that's a LOT. I usually send my stuff to GIA but for emerald they won't say what's the treatment, only if it's F1/F2/F3. I'll try to find another person here for a second opinion, my local jeweler is not a trained gemologist. So, if I understand correctly, without surface reaching fractures, there's no treatment? Emeralds are so difficult.

An emerald can only be improved clarity wise, if the oil or other resin can get into the stone. So if there are no small or large pathways into the stone, the oil would have no effect. The idea of the oil is that it has the same or similar refractive index as the emerald, so that when it enters these small voids, the voids become harder to see.

If it's an old stone, then some of the newer treatments like ExCel or even Opticon most likely wouldn't have been used, unless somewhere in the history of the stone, a previous owner sent it to be retreated.

Emerald Enhancements | Clarity Enhancement Labs | Gemstone Treatment Emerald Treatment ExCel Process

Clarity Enhancement Labs are the developers of the ExCel process used for the enhancement of emeralds. We provide superior gemstone and emerald clarity processing and enhancement treatment services.

clarityenhancementlab.com

 

[fredflintstone]

What are you trying to find out about your stone? I don't think a gem brief will tell you the level of treatment. If the person who looked at you stone told you there was nothing surface reaching, then oiling or filling would have no effect. However I suspect that there are things reaching the surface.

If you are looking for enhancement, origin and color grading, then you will need a "Prestige Grading Report". This is $445 if your stone is under 3 cts. You can ask for a rush (72 hours) and that doubles the price. Figure in shipping and you will be in for around $1000.

No, you won't get specifics, but an AGL "Brief" will say whether the Emerald is treated or not. But if treated, not to the degree of oil or other sealants.

Yes, you would have to pay much more for a more comprehensive report, and that may take longer than it does to get a "brief," unless like you wrote she wanted it rushed, and unless she has a buyer or a limited return policy (depends on how she bought the stone and what payment method) I'd for go that needless expense. If the OP spent a lot of money on the Emerald that was claiming minor oil or no treatment, then the more expensive report is what she should get but if not, I wouldn't spend the money for that expensive report.

 

[RRfromR]

So I took it to another jeweler who deals with a lot of antiques for a second opinion and she looked at it under the microscope and conformed what @PrecisionGem wrote above. She couldn't see any fractures reaching the surface or any signs of foreign substance inside. She's pretty sure there's no sign of dye because of the color and inclusions. She believes that the stone is original to the 20s setting and if there was oil at one point on the surface, it's long gone. However, she told me that only GIA or AGL can confirm the treatment or lack of.
Another pic in the daylight.

 

[Grymera]

Reporting back for any laypeople considering sending to the GIA. I mailed my package Oct 19, it was received around Oct 25. The estimate for return was November 14, on November 15 I got an email that it was ready for shipment back to me. The GIA rep emailed me about how to pay for my return label, we went back and forth, and I authorized them to charge my card November 20 for the return label. They're shipping it out today (Nov 21) and it should arrive tomorrow (Nov 22). I don't have access to mylab, so I guess I'll get the results with the return of my ring.

 

[Grymera]

Update: GIA emailed me my result; which I’m happy with! Overall, it was an involved process to learn how to send items in and get them returned. I’ll hesitate if it’s necessary for future projects due to the time and involvement. But it does provide peace of mind.