Products and Services
Appraisal Reports
The following several services are variations of an appraisal report; That is a document in which we not only identify and grade the subject, but we perform research and apply a value opinion. All of these personal property appraisal options listed below can be performed for either insurance, fair market, estate, expert witness, investigations, or other specific purposes.
Basic Jewelry Appraisal
Basic appraisal report document including color photography, full item description and grading information with a value breakdown. Best for every-day insurance appraisals, fair market appraisals, and most estate-related appraisal needs.
These examination and appraisal services will be performed by no less than a GIA graduate gemologist with extra personal property appraisal training, or the equivalent thereof. Most of our associates are far above this minimum standard.
$150.00 Per item/$350 per hour
Advanced Jewelry Appraisal
This document includes everything found in the basic version, but adds extra laboratory analysis and/or tailored document preparation based on the needs of the assignment, such as extra photography, further laboratory testing with advanced equipment including X-ray, UV-VIS-NIR spectrometry, LW/SW Ultraviolet and polarized light photography, and much more. These documents can sometimes exceed 20 pages, and are the best choice when appraising items of high value, historical significance, or great complexity.
These examination and appraisal services will be performed by no less than a GIA graduate gemologist with extra personal property appraisal training, or the equivalent thereof. Most of our associates are far above this minimum standard.
$350.00 per hour, one hour minimum.
Fine Art Appraisal
These documents, much like the jewelry appraisal format, will include a full color photograph, full description, condition, measurements, identification of media, frame, provenance, title, origin, and dates when possible. The piece will be examined for evidence of damage events, repair, reproduction, and other such instances. Comparables will be considered, and an appropriate value will be assigned to the item.
If the case of further testing, research or verification being needed, the client will be advised.
The item will be examined by no less than an AIA certified art and antique appraiser with extra personal property appraisal training, or the equivalent thereof.
$150.00 Per item/$350 per hour
Fossil Appraisal
These documents will include a full color photograph, description, measurements, grades, weights when applicable, and any necessary testing needed to verify the nature and identity of the specimen. Comparables will be considered and an appropriate value will be assigned based on market research.
Due to the complex nature of many of these specimens, a specialist or specialists will be selected specifically for the task based on the specimen and the needs of the client.
The price also varies due to the wide range of specimens that may be sent in, and the differing levels of work required to complete the assignment, so a quote will be needed before the work can begin.
Please contact us with your project and we will be happy to discuss a fair arrangement.
$150.00 Per item/$350 per hour
Diamond and Gemstone Reports
These following documents state the identification, grades, and full description of a single subject, but no value opinions are researched or provided. These documents are a deep-dive into a single stone to make it easier to track, verify, and compare with other stones. These are best for engagement diamonds, collector pieces, and other items of higher value or unique identity. This service can only be performed on loose gemstones.
Diamond Report
Our Laboratory will analyze your diamond and provide a comprehensive certificate with the GIA’s 4 C’s of diamond quality; Color, Cut, Clarity, and Carat weight, plus a light performance analysis and images from an AGS Angular Spectrum Evaluation Tool, a proportion diagram, clarity plot, and any applicable information on treatments, inscriptions, or origin.
Our process will establish whether a diamond is mined, lab grown, and/or treated, and the resulting information will be included with your report certificate.
When compared to other lab reports, such as those provided by the GIA, you will find that our documents are more comprehensive and include more information about your diamond than most others.
These examinations will be conducted by no less than two independent GIA diamond graduates or equivalent, under supervision of a senior gemologist.
$150.00 Per item flat rate
Gemstone Report
Much like our Diamond Report Certificate, our laboratory will take in your colored gemstone, identify it, and provide a comprehensive certificate with Color description and grade, cut description and grade, clarity, and carat weight, as well as any applicable information on treatments, inscriptions, and geographic origin. The report will include a digital color photograph and clarity plotting information.
Our process will establish the identity of your gem material, and determine if it is mined, lab grown, and/or treated.
These examinations will be conducted by no less than a GIA colored gemstones graduate or equivalent, under supervision of a senior gemologist.
$150.00 Per item flat rate
Pearl Report
Formatted the same as our Diamond and Colored Gemstone Report Certificates, your pearl certificate will include the GIA’s 7 pearl value factors; Size, Shape, Color, Nacre, Luster, Surface, and Matching.
We will run an X-ray analysis to determine the origin of the pearl(s) in question, whether it be natural, cultured bead-nucleated, or cultured non-nucleated, as well as establish the pearl “Type” and species of mollusk that formed it. The X-ray images will be included in your report along with a color digital photograph.
These examinations will be conducted by no less than a GIA pearl graduate or equivalent, under supervision of a senior gemologist.
$150.00 Per item flat rate
Other Lab Services
Take a look at some of the other service options we have available.
Diamond Cards
These small, enveloped cards include GIA’s 4 C’s of diamond quality, millimeter measurements, laser inscriptions if present, and hold the diamond for display and sorting. These are great for industry members to organize their diamonds and display them for easy browsing.
Your diamonds will be graded by no less than a GIA diamond graduate or equivalent, and the ZGL will not supply blank diamond cards under any circumstances, to ensure the security and trust of our clients.
$35 Per item flat rate (Bulk discounts considered)
Specimen ID
This service is a good starting point if you are not sure what you have, and want to find out. This is best for rough minerals and gemstones, possible meteorites, ancient artifacts, fine art, and similar curio for verification of the authenticity or identity of an object before further work is performed.
Depending on the object, a specialist will be assigned and the applicable testing will be performed. You will receive a basic breakdown of test results and summary, along with answers to any questions posted in the assignment.
$25 Per item flat rate
Full Lab Battery
This deep-dive examination is the most comprehensive and detailed service we offer. Your item will undergo rigorous testing with every possible technique and piece of equipment in our vast arsenal. The data provided will be extremely detailed, and uncover everything there is to know about your item. The resulting documents can be enormous.
This is suggested only for extremely high value items, scientific research, and other important objects. Before accepting the assignment, one of our specialists will discuss your needs to determine if this service is appropriate.
The testing done can be quite expensive and time consuming, and the price listed is only a starting point. A quote will be given if the price will be higher than the listing here.
$2500.00 and up.
ZGL Mobile Lab
The ZGL currently has two portable gemological labs that can be used to perform many services right in the comfort of your own home, office, or place of business. These well stocked mini-labs can be sent out with a trained gemologist-appraiser to perform the following services on-site while you wait:
Basic Appraisal Report Documents;
Damage evaluation and reports, many special investigations tasks, et cetera;
Colored Gemstone identification and grading, treatment detection, and natural/lab grown origin determination; *
Diamond grading, treatment detection, and natural/lab grown origin determination; *
Fossil and meteorite identification and valuation;
Fine art examination and appraisal services;
Coin Grading, counterfeit detection, and appraisal services;
*At times the portable lab will not be equipped with the correct devices needed to make a sure judgement. In these cases we will suggest allowing us to analyze your item at the main laboratory, where there are much more advanced and powerful tools, and a full reference library that the portable lab cannot carry.
$350 per hour, $3000 cap per day, $60 hour travel.
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Remote Specialist Services
While it is true that having a specialist on-site to examine your items is an ideal arrangement, sometimes there are circumstances which make that impossible or impractical.
That is where our remote services fill the gap. You can make an appointment to consult with one of our experts over a phone call or voice chat to handle the following services:
Diamond and gemstone valuation estimates and purchasing consultation based on an existing laboratory report*
Fossil valuation estimates based on an existing laboratory report or information gathered remotely, including photographs*
Appraisal document review and consultation for various needs,
Fine art valuation estimates based on existing appraisal reports or information gathered remotely*
*These services are NOT considered the same as an appraisal report document, and do not carry the same protections. These will only be estimates provided based on information given, with no verification or testing being possible remotely. We will not be liable for errors in data collection or testing done by outside parties.
$150/hour, billed in 15-minute increments.