Accredited Gemologists Association

What Accredited Gemologists Association does

The Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional association founded in 1974 and headquartered in Glendora, California. It serves the global gemology community through a tiered membership program (Voting, Associate, Student, Lifetime, Corporate, Retired), annual and virtual conferences, webinars, celebrity gemologist interviews, scholarships, research grants of up to $10,000 per project, and three industry-recognized awards (Bonanno, Hodgkinson, Lifetime Achievement). Members span 15+ countries across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, with a searchable member directory supporting professional referrals worldwide.

AGA's core technology is non-proprietary; the organization is built around credentialing, community, and educational content. Its only technical product is the 2025-launched Certified Hybrid Diamond Master Sets, developed in partnership with Stuller and GCAL by Sarine, which combines natural and synthetic diamonds with Sarine's AI color grading technology and human expert review to deliver precision diamond color grading at lower cost. Revenue is generated through membership dues ($50-$1,250 per tier), conference fees ($75-$350), corporate sponsorships (Ruby and Emerald tiers), patron donations (Gold $10,000+, Silver $5,000+), and emerging hardware sales of Hybrid Diamond Master Sets. AGA is governed by a volunteer Board of Governors with no external investors, parent company, or subsidiaries, and operates as a community-led, event-driven organization whose go-to-market depends on member referrals, conference attendance, and sponsor relationships.

Name

Accredited Gemologists Association

Legal name

Accredited Gemologists Association

Website

https://accreditedgemologists.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Accredited Gemologists Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional association founded in 1974 that serves credentialed gemologists and students globally through tiered membership, conferences, scholarships, research grants, and industry awards, with a new Hybrid Diamond Master Sets product launched in 2025.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Gemology Association Services

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Diamond Grading & Certification Laboratories (CRAKAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Colored Gemstone Identification & Certification Laboratories (CRAKAJAH)

Keywords

• Gemological professional association
• Gemology education programs
• Gemological conferences events
• Professional jewelry networking
• Diamond grading certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Glendora

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees at various tiers (Voting $125, Associate $100, Student free, Corporate $500, Retired $50, Lifetime $1250) providing recurring revenue and access to member benefits.
2. Conference Fees: Revenue from annual Tucson conference, virtual conferences, and events. Tucson conferences range $125-$350, virtual conferences $75-$125 for registration.
3. Sponsorships: Annual corporate sponsorships at multiple levels with benefits including event recognition, advertising, and member access. Sponsors recognized throughout virtual and live events.
4. Donations and Patron Gifts: One-time donations and patron contributions (Gold $10,000+, Silver $5,000+) from individuals and organizations supporting gemological education and research.
5. Certified Hybrid Diamond Master Sets: Revenue from sale of hybrid diamond master sets, a precision grading tool for gemologists, developed in partnership with Stuller and GCAL by Sarine.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional association that delivers gemology membership tiers, annual and virtual conferences, webinars, celebrity gemologist interviews, scholarships, and research grants to professional gemologists and students globally. It also produces the Certified Hybrid Diamond Master Sets, a co-developed physical grading tool combining natural and synthetic diamonds for precision color grading.

Product overview

The Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA) is a nonprofit professional organization serving the gemological community since 1974, offering a suite of educational, networking, and professional development services. The core offerings include the AGA Membership Program with multiple credential tiers, annual conferences (Tucson Conference and virtual events), webinars, celebrity gemologist interviews, and career forums. AGA supports education through its Gemological Scholarship Program and funds research via the Gemological Research Grant (up to $10,000). The organization honors excellence through the Antonio C. Bonanno Award, Alan Hodgkinson Medal, and Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2025, AGA launched the Certified Hybrid Diamond Master Sets—a groundbreaking product developed in partnership with Stuller and GCAL by Sarine for precision diamond color grading using combined human expertise and AI technology. The association also publishes the Cornerstone newsletter and maintains a member directory.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Certified Hybrid Diamond Master Sets A physical diamond color grading solution that combines natural and synthetic diamonds for precision color grading at reduced costs. Each set consists of seven stones certified by GCAL using human expertise combined with Sarine AI color grading technology. Designed for professional gemologists and gemological laboratories needing accurate color reference standards.
• AGA Membership Program Professional membership program with multiple tiers: Voting Membership ($125/year), Associate Membership ($100/year), Student Membership (free), Lifetime Voting Membership ($1,250 one-time), Corporate Membership ($500/year), and Retired Membership ($50/year). Benefits include member directory listings, webinar access, event discounts, scholarship eligibility, voting rights, award nominations, committee participation, and professional recognition. For professional gemologists, appraisers, gemological laboratory staff, and students.
• AGA Conferences and Events Annual and virtual gemological conferences including the Tucson Gemological Conference and Gala, virtual conferences, webinars, celebrity gemologist interviews, and career forums. Provides paid education, networking, and professional development for the global gemological community.
• AGA Gemological Scholarship Program Educational scholarship program awarding need and merit-based scholarships to candidates worldwide pursuing careers in gemology. Scholarships cover tuition and lab fees paid directly to teaching institutions. Application window typically opens January 1 and closes mid-April.
• AGA Gemological Research Grant Research grant program providing funding of up to $10,000 for approved scientific gemological research projects. Applications reviewed by the Educational Scholarship and Research Grant Committee (ESRGC) and awarded by the AGA Board of Governors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 140+ attendees at 2023 Tucson conference
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• StullercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading jewelry manufacturer and gemstone supplier; co-developed Certified Hybrid Diamond Master Sets with AGA and GCAL by Sarine. Stuller provides sourcing of diamonds for the hybrid sets, combining natural and synthetic stones for precision grading.
• GCAL by SarinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGem certification laboratory utilizing Sarine AI color grading technology; provides certification for each stone in the Hybrid Diamond Master Sets, combining human expertise with AI for precise grading.
• Roskin Gem News ReportminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRuby-level sponsor supporting AGA events and programs.
• American Gem Trade Association (AGTA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerRuby-level sponsor; leading colored gemstone trade organization.
• Gem Shopping NetworkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRuby-level sponsor; television network for gemstone and jewelry sales.
• Thermo Fisher ScientificminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRuby-level sponsor; scientific instrumentation company serving the gemological industry.
• Gem-AminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRuby-level sponsor; Gemmological Association of Great Britain.
• GCAL (Gem Certification and Assurance Lab)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerRuby and Emerald level sponsor; gem certification laboratory.
• ASA (American Society of Appraisers)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEmerald-level sponsor; professional appraisal organization.
• Canadian Gemmological AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEmerald-level sponsor; national gemological organization in Canada.
• Heritage AuctionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEmerald-level sponsor; auction house dealing in gems and jewelry.
• Gemmological Association of Great BritainminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal sponsoring organization under which AGA was formed in 1974; provides oversight and guidance for AGA's origins.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Gem-A (Gemmological Association of Great Britain): Gem-A is the UK-based sister organization that sponsored AGA's founding in 1974; it provides gemology education, diplomas (FGA, DGA), and serves the same professional gemologist audience with overlapping credentialing.
• International Gem Society (IGS): IGS provides online gemology education and certification for hobbyists and professionals; it overlaps with AGA in serving gemologists seeking credentials and continuing education.
• American Society of Appraisers (ASA): ASA is a multi-discipline appraisal organization serving gem and jewelry appraisers. Several AGA board members hold ASA credentials (MGA, ASA), and ASA is an AGA Emerald-level sponsor.
• National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA): NAJA is a US jewelry appraisal association offering the Certified Senior Member credential. Several AGA board members hold NAJA designations (CSM), making the two organizations overlapping professional homes for jewelry appraisers.
• Canadian Gemmological Association: Canadian Gemmological Association is a national gemology body whose president is also AGA's vice president; it operates a parallel membership and education model for Canadian gemologists.
• Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Alumni Association: Informal alumni networks of GIA graduates serve a similar networking and continuing-education function for gemologists, creating adjacent community-driven membership competition.
• American Gem Trade Association (AGTA): AGTA is a leading colored gemstone trade association and AGA Ruby-level sponsor. Both serve professional members in the gemstone trade with advocacy, education, and ethical standards.

Emerging players

• GCAL by Sarine: GCAL is a gem certification lab and AGA core partner on the Hybrid Diamond Master Sets. It competes in diamond certification while collaborating with AGA on AI-augmented grading tools.
• GemWorld International: GemWorld International publishes the GemGuide pricing reference used by appraisers and gemologists. It overlaps with AGA members (e.g., featured speakers at AGA conferences) in supporting the appraisal profession.

Broad incumbents

• GIA (Gemological Institute of America): GIA is the dominant global gemology education, research, and lab certification body. Many AGA members hold GIA Graduate Gemologist credentials, making GIA the primary feeder into AGA's senior gemologist accreditation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@AGAgemology
• Facebookfacebook.com/accreditedgemologists
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aga-gemologists
• Instagraminstagram.com/agagemologists

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Accredited Gemologists Association