Gemstone Reports
Dedicated centre of excellence for identifying diamonds, gemstones, and pearls. Bookable access for Assay Hub members.
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Comprehensive Reports
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Express Services Available
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Membership Workspace
Independent Diamond & Gemstone Assessment
Our Gemmology Laboratory in Birmingham provides trusted, independent diamond grading, gemstone and pearl identification and laser inscription services for jewellery professionals and private customers across the UK.
We issue clear, formal gemmological reports identifying natural, laboratory-grown and treated gemstones, supporting accurate buying and selling, confirming authenticity and providing independent second opinions when required.
We also offer professional diamond laser inscription, adding a secure identification mark to a diamond’s girdle to link it to its report number or reference code for enhanced traceability and security.
If you would like to know how much your diamond, gemstone or pearl is worth, our Valuations department provides formal valuations for insurance, probate and resale, whether stones are loose or mounted.
As part of the Birmingham Assay Office, we combine technical expertise with long-established authority, delivering accurate and trusted diamond grading and gemstone testing services in Birmingham and throughout the UK.
Gemmology Lab Certification Services
Our gemmological report pricing is based on three clear tiers, rather than carat weight.
Standard, Intermediate and Premium tiers apply across all diamonds, gemstones, and pearls, whether loose or mounted in jewellery.
If you’re unsure which service best suits your needs, our Customer Service team is always happy to advise you. Get in touch here.
Standard Reports
Ideal for straightforward identification and grading.
Includes:
- Natural diamonds only: Full 4Cs grading (carat, colour, clarity and cut) with all essential information for buying and selling
- Gemstones: Identification of gemstone type and natural or synthetic determination (excluding organic material e.g. coral, amber)
- Tanzanite: Colour and clarity grading
Intermediate Reports
Provides more detailed analysis for enhanced documentation.
Includes:
- Loose Diamonds Only (natural, laboratory grown and coloured):
- Full 4Cs grading (carat, colour, clarity and cut) with all essential information for buying and selling
- Detailed cut assessment including symmetry and polish
- Gemstones:
- Identification of gemstone type for rubies, sapphires and emerald
- Natural or synthetic determination
- Treatment analysis
- Includes paraiba-type tourmaline and jade testing
- EXA™:
- Full grading of pearl jewellery including X-Ray to identify species as natural or cultured, XRF to determine saltwater or freshwater environment, measurements, shape, colour, lustre, surface condition
Premium Reports
Our most comprehensive report offering.
Includes:
- Diamonds (natural, laboratory grown and coloured):
- Full 4Cs grading (carat, colour, clarity and cut) with all essential information for buying and selling
- Detailed cut assessment including symmetry and polish (loose stones only)
- Facet diagram (loose only)
- Applies to jewellery containing more than six mounted stones
- Optional laser inscription included
- Gemstones:
- Identification of gemstone type for rubies, sapphires and emerald
- Natural or synthetic determination
- Treatment analysis
- Origin opinion available for ruby, sapphire and emerald
- EXA™:
- Full grading of pearl jewellery including X-Ray to identify species as natural or cultured, XRF to determine saltwater or freshwater environment, measurements, shape, colour, lustre, surface condition
Diamond Screening Reports
Diamond screening to determine whether stones are:
- Natural diamonds
- Refer
If a “refer” result is returned, meaning screening is inconclusive, advanced in-house testing will be carried out to confirm if the stone is natural or laboratory grown.
Laser Inscription Services
Available for any loose diamond or synthetic moissanite
- Chargeable add-on with Standard and Intermediate reports
- Included option with Premium reports
Laser inscription links the diamond securely to its report number, improving traceability and security.
How to Submit an Item
If you are a new customer, please download and complete the New Customer Form. Include this form with your item when sending it to us.
If you are an existing or private customer, download the Submission Form. Complete and include this with your item.
Items can be sent by post or courier, or dropped off at our customer service counter.
Our Address
Birmingham Assay Office, 1 Moreton Street, Birmingham, B1 3AX.
Please ensure you have read and agree to the Terms and Conditions before sending your items.
For any same day or next day service requirements, please contact customer service in advance of submission.
Gemmology Lab Certification Samples
Our Gemmologists
Birmingham Assay Office’s Gemmologists:
- Emma Testill BSc (Hons) Gemmology & Jewellery Studies FGA DGA
- Romney Chamberlain BSc (Hons) Gemmology & Jewellery Studies MSc Gemmology
Our Equipment
Our highly trained gemmologists have access to a full suite of advanced equipment.
Birmingham Assay Office’s Gemmological Equipment:
Diamond verification equipment from the Assure 2.0 Accredited Program by the Natural Diamond Council
- DiamondSure™
- SYNTHDetect
- DiamondView™
- EXA™
- Belize
Spectrometers
- Raman Spectrometer
- UV-Vis-NIR Spectrometer
- FTIR Spectrometer
Additional
- Laser Inscription
- Pearl X-Ray Machine and XRF machine
- Sarin DiaMension
FAQs
What are your standard turnaround times?
Standard turnaround is 5-7 working days.
Do you offer an express service for all items?
We offer a same day / next day service for natural diamond standard reports (up to five stones), natural diamond intermediate reports, diamond screening, tanzanite standard reports, gem ID standard reports.
Additional charges apply for express services. Same day will incur a 100% surcharge. Next day will incur a 50% surcharge.
Please contact us in advance of submission of complex jewellery items.
Pearls, coloured diamonds, and gemstones requiring treatment determination or origin opinion have a longer lead time. Please contact us in advance of submission.
I have lost my report documentation. Can provide me with another copy?
This is dependent on the age of your report and if you are the person who submitted the item. Please contact customer services with your report number and we can advise.
Do you offer an unset and re set service?
We outsource from a local reliable jeweller for un-setting and re-setting stones if the mounting permits, this carries an additional charge. Please contact us in advance of submission. Photographs of the item may be requested to determine whether un-setting is advisable.
Can you identify laboratory grown diamonds?
Yes, we can confidently identify laboratory grown diamonds with our advanced laboratory equipment.
What does synthetic mean?
A synthetic gemstone is a laboratory created gemstone that has the same chemical, optical, and physical properties as its natural counterpart.
Can you identify laboratory grown diamonds?
Yes, we can confidently identify laboratory grown diamonds with our advanced laboratory equipment.
How do you colour grade diamonds?
We use GIA certified natural diamond colour comparison Master Set.
How do I make payment?
Payment options include BACS and Card payment only. We do not use American Express.
Should I clean my jewellery before submitting?
It would be preferable if jewellery items were cleaned prior to submitting for testing. If we deem it necessary to clean the piece in order to be able to assess it, we may apply a cleaning charge.
Please note not all gemstones are suitable for ultrasonic cleaning such as opals, emeralds, tanzanite and pearls. Please take advice on the suitability of cleaning your jewellery before submitting.
