GemLab

What GemLab does

Gemological Appraisal Laboratory of America, Inc. (GemLab) is a privately held, single-active-location gemological appraisal and laboratory services firm founded in 1979 by Kenneth A. Lejman and now operated by Travis Lejman and Joshua Lents. The firm is based in New York City's Diamond District at 580 Fifth Avenue, where customers schedule appointments for in-person gem, jewelry, and watch appraisal services covering insurance, wholesale, and estate/fair market valuations, supplemented by laboratory reports on gemstone identification (including origin determination), diamond grading, pearl grading, Sarin proportion measurement, treatment detection, and natural-versus-synthetic verification.

GemLab's core technical differentiator is a research-grade spectrometer stack - UV-VIS, FT-IR, Raman, and ED-XRF instruments typically found only in university or major laboratory settings - which enables detection of treatments such as emerald polymers and heat-treated corundum, geographic origin determination (e.g., Ceylon, Burma, Brazil), and separation of lab-created CVD/HPHT diamonds from natural stones at approximately 98% accuracy. All gemologists carry a minimum Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) credential from GIA, several hold the Fellowship (FGA) through the Gemological Association of Great Britain, and the firm is a member of the International Consortium of Gem-Testing Laboratories (ICGL) spanning five continents.

The business operates as direct-to-consumer, appointment-based professional services. Revenue is generated by per-item appraisal and report fees with custom quotes based on piece complexity and quantity, pricing not publicly disclosed. The company serves four distinct end markets: individual consumers (brides, grooms, estate heirs), insurance carriers (recognized referrals by State Farm, Allstate, Geico, Jewelers Mutual), legal professionals (expert witness services, government clients including US Customs, the Department of the Navy, FDIC, and District Attorney's Office), and trade professionals within NYC's Diamond District. The firm is profitable in the sense that it has operated independently for over 45 years with no recorded external funding.

Name

GemLab

Legal name

Gemological Appraisal Laboratory of America, Inc.

Website

https://gemlab.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

GemLab is a privately held gemological appraisal and laboratory services firm in NYC's Diamond District, providing per-item insurance, estate, and wholesale valuations plus gemstone identification and diamond screening for consumers, insurers, legal professionals, and trade members.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Gemological Appraisal Services

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Diamond Grading & Certification Laboratories (CRAKAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Made-to-Order Gemstone Sourcing & Custom Cutting Coordination (CRAKAHAF), Colored Gemstone Identification & Certification Laboratories (CRAKAJAH)

Keywords

• Gemological appraisal services
• Diamond screening services
• Jewelry valuation reports
• Gemstone identification laboratory
• Diamond grading reports

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Professional Appraisal Services: GemLab generates revenue through professional gem and jewelry appraisal services for insurance, estate, and retail purposes. Services are priced per item with customized quotes based on complexity and quantity. The company does not buy or sell gems or jewelry, ensuring unbiased evaluations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

GemLab provides professional gem, jewelry, and watch appraisal services at its NYC Diamond District laboratory, including insurance, wholesale, and estate valuations, plus gemstone identification reports (with optional origin determination), diamond grading, pearl grading, Sarin measurement reports, treatment detection, and natural-versus-synthetic verification. The firm also operates a dedicated diamond screening service that distinguishes natural from lab-created (CVD/HPHT) diamonds with approximately 98% accuracy.

Product overview

Gemological Appraisal Laboratory of America, Inc. (GemLab) is a single-location gemological appraisal and testing laboratory based in New York City's Diamond District. The company operates as a unified service offering centered on its core appraisal platform, which includes professional gem, jewelry, and watch valuations for insurance, wholesale, and estate purposes. Supporting the appraisal services is a comprehensive suite of laboratory testing services including gemstone identification reports (with optional origin determination), diamond grading reports, pearl grading reports, and Sarin reports, all powered by advanced spectroscopic equipment. The company has recently expanded its capabilities to include diamond screening services that can detect lab-created diamonds (CVD and HPHT) with approximately 98% accuracy. Additional jewelry services include buying consultations, verbal evaluations, expert witness testimony, professional photography, and laser inscription services. The product portfolio is unified around the appraisal and laboratory testing core, with add-on services that support the authentication, documentation, and valuation needs of consumers, jewelers, insurers, and legal professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The GemLab Appraisal Comprehensive gem, jewelry, and watch evaluations with detailed measurements, quality assessments, photography, and market valuations performed by GIA-trained gemologists at the NYC Diamond District laboratory.
• Insurance Appraisal Appraisal reflecting retail replacement value, valid for 3-5 years, designed to support insurance coverage for jewelry, gems, and watches.
• Wholesale Appraisal Wholesale market valuations reflecting relative value in diamond districts and wholesale jewelry markets, with values fluctuating based on current diamond, colored stone, metal, and manufacturing costs.
• Estate or Fair Market Appraisal Liquidation valuations reflecting what items would sell for under current market conditions, used for estate settlement or fair market assessments.
• Gemstone Identification Report Standard identification and verification of diamonds and colored stones including species identification, detailed measurements, quality assessment, weight, and detailed photography.
• Gemstone Identification with Origin Report Comprehensive gemstone identification with geographic origin determination (e.g., Ceylon, Burma, Brazil) through specialized testing to identify where the material was formed and mined.
• Diamond Grading Report Complete diamond evaluation covering the four C's (cut, color, clarity, carat weight) with in-depth proportion measurements and detailed inclusion mapping for identification purposes.
• Pearl Grading Report Pearl-specific grading using unique parameters including luster, overtone, and surface characteristics that influence pearl value.
• Sarin Report Highly detailed facet, depth, table, and angle measurements required for diamond re-cutting, custom mounting to strict parameters, or determining ideal proportions such as Hearts & Arrows.
• Identification of Treatments Detection and documentation of undisclosed treatments that enhance gemstone appearance, using sophisticated equipment and ongoing training to identify advanced treatment methods.
• Natural versus Synthetic (Lab-Created) Verification Laboratory verification to differentiate natural gemstones created by nature from synthetic (lab-created) gemstones using special testing and sophisticated equipment.
• GemLab Diamond Screening State-of-the-art service for screening natural and lab-created diamonds using advanced equipment to detect synthetic diamonds (CVD and HPHT methods) with approximately 98% accuracy. Available only at the NYC Diamond District location.
• Jewelry Buying Consultation Expert guidance for first-time jewelry buyers in the Diamond District, providing unbiased advice on what to look for and how to avoid overpaying.
• Verbal Pre-grade/Evaluation Pre-purchase verification allowing consumers to have jewelry or diamonds examined before buying to verify accuracy of representations and ensure fair pricing.
• Legal Statement/Expert Witness Professional statement and expert witness services for attorneys requiring authenticity or quality documentation for litigation settlements, including off-site travel and written/verbal statements.
• Professional Photograph Professional photography services for gemstones and jewelry using specialized equipment and techniques to capture the reflective properties of gems and jewelry.
• Laser Inscription Microscopic laser inscription service for personal messages or identification purposes, typically inscribed on the girdle of gemstones, including lab report number correlation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% accuracy in diamond screening for distinguishing natural from lab-created diamonds
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Consortium of Gem-Testing Laboratories (ICGL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013In 2013, GAL was invited to become part of this prestigious network of independently owned analytical laboratories spanning 5 continents. ICGL introduces a new concept for researchers and lab specialists that allows for open communication among colleagues while fostering a better understanding of new discoveries in the field of research and analysis.
• GIA Alumni AssociationminorOthersProud member of the Gemological Institute of America Alumni Association, representing continuing education and professional standards.
• National Association of Jewelry AppraisersminorOthersGAL holds accreditations through the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers.
• Gemological Association of Great BritainminorOthersActive members with Charter member status. Staff members complete the coveted Fellowship (FGA) through this association.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Gemological Institute of America (GIA): The dominant global gemological laboratory and grading authority. GIA issues the diamond reports that GemLab competes with for trade and consumer mindshare, and offers comparable appraisal, grading, and identification services on a much larger scale.
• International Gemological Institute (IGI): One of the largest independent gem labs globally, offering diamond grading, colored stone identification, and appraisal-adjacent services. IGI's scale and multi-location footprint make it a direct competitor for trade and consumer appraisal work.
• American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories: AGS Laboratories provides diamond grading reports and is widely recognized in the U.S. jewelry trade. It directly competes with GemLab for diamond grading and appraisal mandates from retailers and insurance carriers.
• Gübelin Gem Lab: Prestigious Swiss-based gem laboratory specializing in high-end colored gemstone identification and origin determination. Overlaps with GemLab's origin-determination and colored stone identification services for premium clientele.
• SSEF Swiss Gemmological Institute: Independent Swiss gem lab offering gemstone identification, origin reporting, and treatment detection. Competes with GemLab in the high-end colored gemstone identification and authentication segment, particularly for international clients.
• Gemological Science International (GSI): Independent gemological organization providing diamond grading and jewelry testing services to retailers worldwide. Competes with GemLab in the trade-focused diamond grading and screening segment.
• European Gemological Laboratory (EGL): EGL operates diamond and gemstone grading laboratories serving the trade and consumer markets. Competes with GemLab in diamond and colored stone certification, particularly for retailers seeking faster turnaround.
• HRD Antwerp: Belgian-based diamond grading and certification laboratory with global reach. Competes with GemLab in diamond certification for the international trade, particularly for stones passing through Antwerp and other European diamond centers.

Broad incumbents

• National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA): Professional association of which GemLab is a member. NAJA accredits individual appraisers and sets appraisal standards, and competes indirectly by providing an appraiser directory that can substitute for a laboratory-based appraisal relationship.

Others

• Gemworld International: Provides gem pricing guides (GemGuide) and appraisal software widely used by independent jewelry appraisers. Adjacent to GemLab's appraisal services as a complementary tool rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 GemLab