The AGTA Gemological Testing Center is the natural colored gemstone industry's premier independent laboratory providing the industry and the public with a complete range of services, including gemstone identification, origin determination and pearl identification. The laboratory, which is located in New York City, is equipped with the latest, technologically advanced, investigative equipment.

The AGTA Gemological Testing Center's primary objectives are:

•  To identify the nature of all materials that are likely to be used as gemstones and report upon them in a clear and scientifically precise manner for the public and the jewelry trade.
•  To produce reports on these materials in a manner that assists both the trade and the public in assessing a potential purchase.
•  To research all aspects of gem materials in order for their characteristics to be fully understood.

Sophisticated synthetic stones require intricate methods to identify them. The AGTA Gemological Testing Center employs the latest technology to ensure the reporting of accurate results.

The Gemological Testing Center is among the few gemstone laboratories that offer separation of natural and synthetic amethysts. In many cases, the testing is more expensive than the value of the amethysts themselves. This service is most often used by AGTA members to audit the supply chain through random testing of shipments from mines and cutting factories.

A special enhancement section appears in the AGTA Gemological Testing Center reports to assure that all gemstone treatments or enhancements are properly identified. This reporting method is consistent with AGTA's enhancement information policies.

For both rubies and emeralds, the Center quantifies the amount of either residue from the heat process or clarity enhancing substances, if present, as a normal identification service. It will also, upon request, identify the type of clarity enhancing substance present in emeralds.

As a special "by request only" service, the Gemological Testing Center uses the latest analytical techniques and its extensive gemstone database to support a professional opinion concerning the geographic origin of either ruby, sapphire or emerald.

The AGTA Gemological Testing Center will examine pearls to determine their natural or cultured origin. In the case of beaded, nucleated, cultured pearls, the Gemological Testing Center may also, upon request, state the thickness of the nacre covering.

The Center will also determine the natural or artificial nature of the color of natural and cultured pearls.

AGTA Gemological Testing Center is able to report upon the nature of the apparent color, or lack of color, in a diamond. UV/visible low temperature spectroscopy is used to analyze colored diamonds and to determine if the color is natural or due to artificial irradiation. The Center's Raman micro-spectroscopy unit is employed to examine those colorless diamonds that are suspected of being decolored by High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) treatment.

The AGTA is recognized within the jewelry trade as the authoritative source on natural colored gemstones: the voice of the natural colored gemstone and cultured pearl industry. The association sponsors ongoing research at the Gemological Testing Center for the benefit and protection of everyone who loves gemstones and cultured pearls.