Gemstone Reports
Dedicated centre of excellence for identifying diamonds, gemstones, and pearls.
-
Express Services Available
-
Secure Collection & Delivery
-
Express Services Available
Independent Diamond Grading, Gemstone and Pearl Identification, and Laser Inscription
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 Report
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
- Loose pearls:
- Full grading including measurements, shape, colour, lustre, surface condition, species and water environment
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
- Pearl jewellery:
- Full grading of pearl jewellery including measurements, shape, colour, lustre, surface condition, species and water environment
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.
Next, download the Submission Form. Please complete this form and include it with your item when sending it to us.
Items can be sent via mail or courier or dropped off at our customer services counter.
Our address is:
Birmingham Assay Office, 1 Moreton Street, Birmingham, B1 3AX.
Please ensure that you have read and agreed to the Terms and Conditions.
For any same day or next day service requirements, please contact customer services 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
- DiamondSureTM
- SYNTHDetect
- DiamondViewTM
- EXATM
- Belize
Spectrometers
- Raman Spectrometer
- UV-Vis-NIR Spectrometer
- FTIR Spectrometer
Additional
- Laser Inscription
- Pearl X-Ray Machine and XRF machine
- Sarine
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 mini reports (up to 6 stones), natural diamond short and full reports, diamond screening, tanzanite mini report, gem id mini report. Additional charges apply for express service 100% same day 50% next day.
- Pearls, coloured diamonds, and gemstones requiring treatment/ origin determination have a longer lead time.
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.
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 lab-created gemstone that has the same chemical, optical, and physical properties as its natural counterpart
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, however we do offer a cleaning service for additional charge £6 per item.
- Please note not all gemstones are suitable for ultrasonic cleaning such as opals, emeralds, tanzanite, pearls. Please take advice on the suitability of cleaning your jewellery before submitting.
