1. Acceptance of these terms
By submitting a gemstone to Antwerp Gemological Laboratory ("AGL", "we", "us", "our"), commissioning any of our services, or using this website, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use our services or this website.
2. Description of services
AGL provides scientific gemological identification, grading, origin determination, treatment detection, and certification services for diamonds, coloured gemstones, and finished jewellery. Each report is produced by accredited gemologists using the analytical instruments and methodologies described on our Process page.
3. Nature and limitations of certification
Every AGL report represents the considered opinion of our gemologists based on the analytical evidence available at the time of examination, and the methods of examination employed. Gemological science continues to advance, and the introduction of new treatments, synthetic materials, and analytical techniques may, over time, refine or supersede earlier findings. AGL reports are expert opinions, not guarantees of commercial value, and the report does not constitute an appraisal, valuation, or investment recommendation.
Where evidence is insufficient to support a definitive conclusion on origin, treatment status, or any other reported parameter, the report will state that limitation plainly. The absence of a positive finding is not a negative finding.
4. Submission of gemstones
Stones submitted for certification must be lawfully owned and lawfully tradeable by the submitter. By submitting a stone you warrant that you hold good title or are duly authorised by the owner, and that the stone is not the proceeds of any unlawful activity. AGL reserves the right to decline any submission for any reason, and to report submissions to competent authorities where there is reasonable cause to suspect unlawful provenance.
5. Insurance and custody
Stones in AGL custody are insured against loss, theft, and accidental damage to the declared value during the analytical period. The declared value must be stated on the submission form; in the absence of a declared value, our insurance limit will apply by default. We strongly recommend that high-value stones be accompanied by an independent valuation at submission.
6. Limitation of liability
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, AGL's total liability for any matter arising out of or related to a certification report or any service we provide shall not exceed ten (10) times the fee paid for that service, or the declared value of the gemstone, whichever is the lesser. AGL shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages, including without limitation loss of profit, loss of resale value, or loss of goodwill.
Nothing in these terms limits liability for fraud, wilful misconduct, or any liability that cannot lawfully be limited.
7. Intellectual property
The content of this website — including text, photographs, designs, logos, and the structure of the verification system — is the property of AGL or its licensors and is protected by copyright and trade-mark law. Certificate templates, the AGL name, and the AGL marks may not be reproduced, copied, or used to imply association with AGL without our express written consent. Counterfeit certificates and unauthorised use of our marks will be vigorously prosecuted.
The gemstone photographs and analytical data recorded for any given submission remain on file with AGL and may be used internally for quality control, training, research, and the continuing development of our reference databases, on an anonymised basis.
8. Use of this website
You agree to use this website only for lawful purposes and in a manner that does not infringe the rights of, restrict, or inhibit anyone else's use and enjoyment of the website. Automated probing, scraping, or denial-of-service activity directed at any of our systems is strictly prohibited.
9. Third-party content
This website may contain links to external websites operated by third parties. AGL is not responsible for the content of those websites and a link does not imply endorsement.
10. Termination
AGL may suspend or terminate access to its services or this website, or refuse any submission, at any time and at its sole discretion. Termination does not affect rights and obligations that have accrued prior to termination.
11. Governing law and jurisdiction
These terms are governed by the laws of Belgium for services issued by AGL Antwerp, and by the laws of Sri Lanka for services issued by AGL Sri Lanka. Services issued by our Shanghai office are governed by the laws of the People's Republic of China. Disputes arising from a particular service shall be resolved in the courts of competent jurisdiction at the issuing laboratory's location, unless the parties otherwise agree in writing.
12. Changes to these terms
AGL may amend these Terms of Service from time to time. The effective date at the top of these terms will be updated whenever a material change is made. Continued use of our services or this website after a change has been published constitutes acceptance of the amended terms.
13. Contact
For any question about these terms, please use the form on our contact page or write to the laboratory nearest to you.
