Our Accredited Gem Lab
Members of the American Gem Society are required not just to have credentialed
titleholders such as Registered Jewelers and Certified Gemologists on staff but
also to have certain basic gemological testing equipment. This equipment includes
a binocular microscope, a gem scale, and color grading master diamonds. This
equipment allows a trained Gemologist to grade certain aspects of the quality of
diamonds. However the science of gemology is very equipment intensive and
without the proper equipment it is impossible to fully grade diamonds, identify colored
gemstones, or evaluate if a gemstone has been subjected to various treatments. For
the few stores in the United States that qualify both from an equipment standpoint
and a personnel standpoint there is a special designation called an Accredited Gem Laboratory. An AGS Accredited
Gem Lab must have an extensive assortment of the latest gemological equipment such as an expanded set of master
diamonds, a spectroscope, long wave and short wave ultraviolet light testing equipment, and a computerized noncontact
optical scanner for measuring diamonds and their light performance. Underwood’s is proud to have met
these criteria and to have continuously had an Accredited Gem Lab since 1971.
Most of a gemstone’s monetary value comes from its physical nature or what it really is as opposed to how it
looks. To the casual observer a red piece of glass and a ruby might look the same but they are dramatically
different in value. This is why Underwood’s has an Accredited Gem Lab and how we can assure you that
what we have and represent is exactly what we say it is. Because of the continuing advancement in the science
of gemology, new gem treatments and synthetics on the world market it is imperative that a gemologist continue to
advance their education on an annual basis. As American Gem Society Certifi ed Gemologists we undergo
continuing education throughout the year and must demonstrate our profi ciency by written examination annually.
Every diamond and colored gemstone that Underwood’s considers purchasing passes through our Accredited
Gem Lab. This is where fi nal diamond grades are set for cut, color, and clarity. This is also where our loose
colored gemstones are examined prior to creating the pieces of jewelry that will ultimately be presented in our
showcases. These practices separate Underwood’s from others; we individually inspect each piece we sell
so we can know and disclose everything from a quality perspective about that piece. This type of attention
and quality control over every piece we sell gives our customers an assurance that in the words of our founder,
H. F. Underwood, “We know the truth and tell the truth!”