American Gem Society
A nonprofit U.S. jewelry trade association founded in 1934 that sets industry ethical standards, confers professional credentials such as Certified Gemologist and Certified Appraiser, and operates AGS Laboratories for independent diamond grading. Serves jewelry trade professionals and consumers via membership, education, and the Find a Jeweler directory.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1934
- Headquarters—
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What American Gem Society does
The American Gem Society (AGS), founded in 1934, is a U.S. nonprofit jewelry trade association that sets, maintains, and promotes ethical conduct and professional standards across the fine jewelry industry. AGS operates through tiered membership programs (Retail Business, Partner Business, Emerging Designer, Individual/Credentialed Affiliate, Non-Credentialed Affiliate, Student, Emeritus) and confers professional credentials such as Certified Gemologist and Certified Appraiser, supported by continuing education and periodic recertification. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, AGS Laboratories, provides independent diamond and colored gemstone grading and certification services to the broader jewelry trade. The organization also runs the AGS Pro Education Portal and hosts the annual Conclave and Confluence industry events.
AGS's core technology is the proprietary AGS Diamond Grading System, a methodology covering the 4Cs (Cut, Color, Clarity, Carat Weight) that functions as an industry-standard reference for ethical diamond assessment. The association distributes value through a hybrid B2B/B2C model: trade professionals engage via the member portal, credentialing, education, and events; consumers are served through educational content (4Cs guides, birthstone education, appraisal guidance) and a Find a Jeweler directory that channels purchasing intent toward credentialed member businesses. AGS also operates a Trending Now Jewelry Showcase highlighting member designs.
AGS is funded primarily through recurring membership dues, supplemented by educational program fees and AGS Laboratories grading revenue. Membership pricing is not publicly disclosed. Its two primary customer segments are jewelry trade professionals (retailers, designers, manufacturers, wholesalers, appraisers) and end consumers seeking guidance on jewelry purchases. Geographic focus is North America for membership, with AGS Laboratories providing grading services globally.
American Gem Society firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- American Gem Society
- Legal name
- American Gem Society
- Website
- https://ags.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1934
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- A nonprofit U.S. jewelry trade association founded in 1934 that sets industry ethical standards, confers professional credentials such as Certified Gemologist and Certified Appraiser, and operates AGS Laboratories for independent diamond grading. Serves jewelry trade professionals and consumers via membership, education, and the Find a Jeweler directory.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
American Gem Society industry classification
Industry- 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
American Gem Society business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: AGS generates revenue primarily through membership fees from jewelry trade professionals and businesses. The association offers multiple membership tiers including Retail Business Membership, Partner Business Membership, Emerging Designer Membership, Credentialed Affiliate, Non-Credentialed Affiliate, Legacy Membership, Emeritus Status, and Student Membership. Annual dues and fees fund the organization's educational programs, credentialing, standards development, and consumer protection initiatives.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
American Gem Society product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The American Gem Society is a nonprofit jewelry trade association that provides ethical standards, professional credentials, gemological research, and consumer education to the U.S. jewelry industry. It generates revenue through tiered membership programs and operates AGS Laboratories for independent diamond grading, alongside consumer education resources such as the AGS Diamond Grading System and birthstones guides.
Product overview
The American Gem Society operates as a nonprofit trade association offering a portfolio of consumer protection and industry education services. The core offerings include the AGS Diamond Grading System for standardized diamond quality assessment, AGS Laboratories for independent gemological certification, and comprehensive Birthstones Education covering all monthly birthstones. The society provides tiered membership programs (Retail Business, Partner Business, Emerging Designer, and Individual/Credentialed Affiliate) that grant access to professional credentials, the AGS Pro Education Portal, and industry events including Conclave and Confluence. Additionally, the Trending Now Jewelry Showcase highlights member products. These offerings are designed to educate consumers, set industry standards, and support professional development for jewelry industry members.
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Companies that use American Gem Society
Customer profileSegments2 records
American Gem Society technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
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Feature1 record
American Gem Society partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Strategic PartnersunclearAGS maintains strategic partnerships with various organizations supporting the jewelry industry. The website references a 'Strategic Partners' page and 'Member-Get-a-Member Recruitment' program, indicating collaborative relationships with industry stakeholders. However, specific partner names and details are not enumerated in the provided source content.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
American Gem Society competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
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American Gem Society social profiles
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American Gem Society leadership team
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American Gem Society subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
American Gem Society funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
American Gem Society M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about American Gem Society
What does American Gem Society do?
The American Gem Society is a nonprofit jewelry trade association that provides ethical standards, professional credentials, gemological research, and consumer education to the U.S. jewelry industry. It generates revenue through tiered membership programs and operates AGS Laboratories for independent diamond grading, alongside consumer education resources such as the AGS Diamond Grading System and birthstones guides.
Is American Gem Society a public or private company?
American Gem Society is a private company. It is currently operating.
When was American Gem Society founded?
American Gem Society was founded in 1934.
How does American Gem Society make money?
One revenue line is on record: membership Dues.
Does American Gem Society have an API?
No public API is recorded for American Gem Society.
What industry is American Gem Society in?
Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAKAJAG, Diamond Grading & Certification Laboratories, with a secondary code of CRAKAJAH, Colored Gemstone Identification & Certification Laboratories. Its SIC code is 8600.