Gem Certification & Assurance Lab

What Gem Certification & Assurance Lab does

Gem Certification & Assurance Lab (GCAL) is a forensic gemological laboratory headquartered in New York City, founded in 2001 by Donald A. Palmieri and Pamela Case Palmieri. The company provides diamond and gemstone grading, certification, laser inscription, and provenance services to jewelers, diamond manufacturers, insurers, banks, government agencies, and end consumers. Since completing its merger into Sarine Group (Sarine Technologies Ltd, dual-listed on SGX and TASE) on May 10, 2023, GCAL has operated as a private subsidiary under the "GCAL by Sarine" brand, while retaining its single-origin US grading facility for consistency.

GCAL's core product suite centers on 4Cs diamond grading backed by a money-back guarantee, the proprietary 8X Cut Grade standard (evaluating eight cut factors), Gemprint optical fingerprinting for stone identification, Sarine Diamond Journey provenance traceability, light performance imaging, 360-degree video capture, and laser inscription. The lab also offers natural diamond verification, precious metal testing via XRF, and AI-assisted grading powered by parent Sarine's technology stack. In 2014, GCAL obtained ISO 17025 Forensic Accreditation, which it states is the only such credential issued to a gem lab globally, supporting its positioning in litigation, insurance appraisal, and law enforcement work.

The business model is anchored on per-submission grading fees, supplemented by subscription products (Palmieri's Market Monitor), professional services (appraisals, forensic consultations, litigation support), and photography/media services. Distribution is primarily direct to a horizontal base of SMB jewelers across the United States, with strategic enterprise accounts in lab-grown diamond manufacturing and adjacent verticals. The 2023 opening of a Surat, India lab and ongoing product extensions (8X to cushion/marquise/pear cuts, hybrid master sets with AGA and Stuller) mark the company's transition from a single-location US lab into a multi-geography, multi-segment operation under Sarine's ownership.

Name

Gem Certification & Assurance Lab

Legal name

Gem Certification & Assurance Lab, Inc.

Website

https://gcalusa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Gem Certification & Assurance Lab (GCAL) is a New York-based ISO 17025-accredited forensic gem lab providing diamond grading, certification, and traceability services to jewelers, manufacturers, and insurers, now operating as a subsidiary of Sarine Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Gemological Laboratory Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (541380)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Diamond Grading & Certification Laboratories (CRAKAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Colored Gemstone Identification & Certification Laboratories (CRAKAJAH), Traceability, Provenance & Compliance Services (e.g., origin, AML/KYC, sanctions) (CRAKAJAL)

Keywords

• Diamond grading services
• Gemstone certification
• Jewelry forensics
• Precious metal testing
• Diamond cut analysis

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Diamond & Gemstone Grading & Certification: Primary revenue stream from grading and certifying natural diamonds, lab grown diamonds, colored diamonds, colored gemstones, fine jewelry, and cultured pearls. Fees are charged per submission with turnaround typically within 5 business days. Accompanied by Gemprint, 360 video, light performance analysis, and laser inscription services.
2. Expert Services: Includes jewelry appraisals, damage and restoration advisories, risk analysis for insurance, inventory and collateral audits, forensic and litigation support, and law enforcement support. These are fee-for-service professional engagements.
3. Laboratory Analytical Services: Natural diamond verification/detection of undisclosed lab grown diamonds, precious metal testing (XRF), quality assurance testing for corporate standards, and diamond cut analysis services.
4. Photography & Media Services: High-resolution jewelry photography services for catalogue, online marketplace, and customer approval purposes. Includes 360 video and Fire video creation.
5. Palmieri's Market Monitor: Subscription to the diamond and gemstone 'blue book' pricing guide for wholesale and auction markets. Monthly overview of the state of the global diamond community.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Gem Certification & Assurance Lab (GCAL) is a forensic gemological laboratory that provides diamond, colored gemstone, and cultured pearl grading and certification, along with proprietary identification and traceability technologies such as Gemprint optical fingerprinting, the 8X Cut Grade standard, and Sarine Diamond Journey provenance. Its certificates are backed by a written money-back guarantee, and the firm also delivers expert services including jewelry appraisals, litigation support, and law enforcement assistance.

Product overview

Gem Certification & Assurance Lab (GCAL) offers a unified suite of certification, identification, valuation, and forensic services for diamonds, gemstones, and jewelry. The core offering centers on guaranteed 4Cs diamond grading certificates backed by a money-back consumer guarantee, supplemented by proprietary technologies including Gemprint (optical fingerprinting), 8X Cut Grade (premium cut evaluation), and Sarine Diamond Journey (traceability). Services include natural and lab-grown diamond certification, colored gemstone grading, precious metal testing, photography/video, laser inscription, quality assurance, and expert services (appraisals, forensic analysis, litigation support). GCAL operates as part of the Sarine Group, leveraging AI-based grading technologies for enhanced accuracy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 8X Cut Grade: The ultimate premium diamond cut grade standard evaluating eight critical factors including polish, symmetry, proportions, optical brilliance, fire, scintillation, optical symmetry, and shape aesthetics for round and fancy shape diamonds.
• Gemprint
• Diamond Journey
• Diamond Profile Podcast

Products and services

• Diamond Grading & Certification Comprehensive 4Cs grading (cut, color, clarity, carat) for natural and lab-grown diamonds with accuracy backed by a money-back consumer guarantee. Each certificate includes Gemprint fingerprint and light performance assessment.
• GCAL 8X Cut Grade Ultimate premium diamond cut grade evaluating eight factors (Polish, External Symmetry, Proportions, Optical Brilliance, Fire, Scintillation, Optical Symmetry, Shape Aesthetics) for round and fancy shape diamonds.
• Gemprint Proprietary patented diamond fingerprinting technology using low-power visible laser to capture a unique optical fingerprint of each diamond for positive identification, registration, and recovery in a global database.
• Sarine Diamond Journey Verified traceability solution providing full transparency from mine to market, allowing consumers to explore a diamond's journey from rough to polished using an interactive tool.
• Natural Diamond Certification Grading and certification services for natural Earth-mined diamonds, including 4Cs grading with GCAL's money-back guarantee.
• Lab Grown Diamond Certification Certification services for laboratory-grown diamonds with LAB GROWN or LG laser inscription on the girdle, ensuring proper disclosure and identification.
• Colored Diamond Grading Specialized grading services for fancy colored diamonds within GCAL's expanded ISO 17025 accreditation scope.
• Colored Gemstone Grading Grading and certification services for colored gemstones including ruby, sapphire, emerald, and other precious stones.
• Cultured Pearl Grading Grading services for cultured pearls evaluating quality factors specific to pearl assessment.
• Fine Jewelry Certification Certification services for finished diamond jewelry pieces evaluating overall quality and components.
• Natural Diamond Verification Detection and verification services to identify undisclosed lab-grown diamonds and distinguish natural from synthetic diamonds using multiple analytical techniques including Raman Spectroscopy and Diamond View.
• Precious Metal Testing XRF (X-ray fluorescence) non-destructive testing to determine elemental composition of jewelry items and verify FTC standards for precious metal content.
• Quality Assurance Testing QA testing protocols for jewelry retailers and manufacturers to ensure products meet corporate quality standards.
• Jewelry Photography Professional high-resolution photography services for diamond and gemstone jewelry inventory for catalogues, online marketplaces, and customer approvals.
• 360-Degree Video Capture Advanced 360-degree video capture using professional cameras and precision lenses to display diamonds from any angle with true color rendering and consistent lighting.
• Laser Inscription Cold laser technology for inscribing certificate numbers and LAB GROWN/LG designations on diamond girdles for identification and disclosure.
• Jewelry Appraisals Expert appraisal services for estate, fair market, liquidation, collateral, and legal matters provided by highly trained gemologists.
• Forensic & Litigation Support Forensic gemological analysis and expert witness testimony services for legal, insurance, government and banking institutions.
• Palmieri's Market Monitor Subscription-based wholesale and auction market pricing guide providing diamond and gemstone blue book pricing information and monthly market analysis of the global diamond community.
• Cut Analysis Direct Assessment technology and analysis evaluating cut quality including symmetry, brilliance, optical light performance, and Hearts & Arrows patterning.
• Certified Hybrid Diamond Master Sets Color grading master sets combining natural and lab-grown diamonds using AI color grading technology, certified by GCAL by Sarine and developed with AGA and Stuller. Available for purchase by the trade directly from Stuller.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90.5% of retailers surveyed said grading in the US was either a requirement or a preference for their diamond certification
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability5 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 March 2025GCAL By Sarine authorized as an approved grading laboratory for certifying the new Certified Hybrid Diamond Master Sets developed in collaboration with AGA, Stuller, and GCAL. These sets combine natural and lab-grown diamonds to provide a precise and accessible tool for gem color grading, approved by the AGA Board of Governors for use in the AGA Certified Gemological Laboratory (CGL) program.
• StullerminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 March 2025Key supplier partner in sourcing and selecting stones for Certified Hybrid Diamond Master Sets. Stuller's extensive global network and specialized in-house screening and sorting operations handle millions of natural and lab-grown diamonds annually. Partnered with AGA and GCAL in developing these hybrid grading sets that will be available for purchase by the trade directly from Stuller.
• Sarine Technologies LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 January 2023GCAL merged into the Sarine Group (completed May 10, 2023), creating synergies between GCAL's quality processes and Sarine's advanced technologies and installed base. Sarine is Singapore Exchange Mainboard (SGX) and Tel-Aviv (TASE) listed. GCAL By Sarine now combines AI grading systems and Sarine Diamond Journey traceability with GCAL's renowned 8X Cut standard and consumer guarantee. New grading lab opened in Surat, India as part of this expansion.
• WD Lab Grown DiamondscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 February 2022Partnership for grading and certifying WD Lab Grown Diamonds' premium diamonds including those from the Latitude consumer brand. WD is the first diamond company worldwide to achieve third-party Sustainability Rating and 100% Climate Neutral certification, enabled by GCAL's grading and chain of custody. Joint webinar provided inside look into the lab grown diamond growth and certification process.
• EverledgercoreTechnology or Integration · 20 July 2021Strategic partnership to bring increased accountability to diamond sourcing through provenance transparency. The Everledger Platform's API connection enables GCAL to query and display provenance information on demand. Gemprint is combined with blockchain technology for significantly increased transparency and an indisputable identity for each diamond. GCAL can pull data and photos from its own API to add to Everledger's diamond journey platform.
• SCS Global ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2021GCAL became the first gem lab worldwide to earn SCS Certificate of Accreditation supporting the origin traceability requirements of the SCS-007 Sustainability Rated Diamond Program. GCAL certificates can now carry an SCS sustainability mark for diamonds that have been sustainability rated and certified Climate Neutral by SCS Global Services.
• Jewelers Mutual InsuranceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership providing jewelry insurance options for GCAL-certified diamonds. Jewelers Mutual Insurance is featured on the GCAL website as a resource for consumers who have purchased GCAL-certified diamonds, creating a consumer protection program linking certification with insurance coverage.
• Diamonds Do GoodminorOthersAvi Levy, GCAL's Chief Growth Officer, serves on the board of Diamonds Do Good, reinforcing commitment to ethical and sustainable practices in the industry.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Gemological Institute of America (GIA): The dominant global diamond and gemstone grading laboratory and the de facto industry standard. Directly competes with GCAL on 4Cs grading, cut grading, and colored diamond certification. Customer testimonials explicitly position GCAL as an alternative "valued equally" with GIA.
• American Gem Society (AGS): US-based diamond grading laboratory known for its pioneering cut grade system and Ideal cut standards. Competes head-to-head with GCAL on premium cut grading and is considered a premium alternative to GIA in the North American market.
• HRD Antwerp: European diamond grading laboratory headquartered in Antwerp, the world's historic diamond trading center. Offers 4Cs grading, jewelry reports, and is one of the few globally-recognized alternatives to GIA, comparable to GCAL's positioning as a credible independent laboratory.
• Gübelin Gem Lab: Swiss-based premier gemological laboratory specializing in colored gemstones and high-end diamond grading. Direct competitor in colored gemstone identification & certification, and serves the same luxury jewelry and auction house client base (Sotheby's, Christie's) where GCAL also provides expert services.
• International Gemological Institute (IGI): Major global diamond grading laboratory with significant market share, particularly strong in lab-grown diamond grading and Asia-Pacific. Highly comparable service offering; notably, GCAL's new Chief Growth Officer Avi Levy was previously President of IGI North America for five years.
• European Gemological Laboratory (EGL): Internationally-recognized diamond grading laboratory with branches across multiple countries. Competes with GCAL on 4Cs grading for both natural and lab-grown diamonds, and has historically been involved in controversies around grading standards — directly highlighting GCAL's positioning around stricter, guaranteed grading.

Emerging players

• Lotus Gemology: Independent gemological laboratory specializing in colored gemstone identification and origin determination. Comparable in the colored gemstone grading domain (where GCAL also offers services), but with a niche, emerging focus rather than the full-service breadth of GCAL.
• Everledger: Blockchain-based diamond provenance and traceability platform that has an existing strategic partnership with GCAL. Comparable in the traceability dimension (competing on Diamond Journey-type offerings) but with a technology rather than lab-services focus, making it an adjacent emerging player.

Regional players

• DCLA (Diamond Certification Laboratory of Australia): Australia-based independent diamond grading laboratory focused on the Australian and Asia-Pacific markets. Comparable service offering (4Cs grading, certification) but primarily serves Asia-Pacific retail rather than competing directly in GCAL's North American stronghold.
• AnchorCert Gem Lab: UK-based gemstone and diamond testing laboratory operating as part of the Birmingham Assay Office. Offers comparable diamond and gemstone grading services primarily for the UK market, where GCAL has expanded (e.g., Nima Jewellers partnership) but does not yet have a local lab.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gcalusa
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/GCALUSA
• Facebookfacebook.com/GCALUSA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gcal-usa
• Instagraminstagram.com/gcalusa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gem Certification & Assurance Lab