Jewelry Appraisal and Gemological Services
San
Antonio Jewelry Appraiser and Gemologist
Whether you seek an insurance appraisal, estate appraisal, damage evaluation, gem identification, or are looking for help regarding a new purchase or sale of a gemstone or jewelry item, YourGemologist LLC offers you the industry's most advanced gemological testing, evaluation and appraisal. Below you will find important information about the gemological lab services available through YourGemologist in the local San Antonio area, South Texas and throughout the United States.
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Robert James FGA, GG......YourGemologist
Graduate Gemologist, GIA
Fellow, Gemmological Association of Great Britain
Texas Department of Insurance Property Insurance Adjuster License 1300433
At YourGemologist we save you significant time and money with your gem identification and jewelry appraisal needs by maintaining our own on-site professional gemological laboratory staffed by the most highly trained gemologist in the region. My many years of experience with the USAA Gem Lab, and as independent insurance claims adjusters and educator allows me to offer you 100% in-house services from start to finish. From a simple identification to technical evaluations requiring advanced testing, YourGemologist can provide you with the expertise you need on your first visit.
Beyond my gemological training, I am a state licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Adjuster (Texas Department of Insurance #1300433) and a state certified education provider for insurance Continuing Education (Texas Department of Insurance #33143). I am also a member of the National Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters.
This insurance industry experience and certification, specific to the jewelry industry, allows me to provide you with a greater level of professional knowledge and expertise than any other jewelry appraiser in this area.
I specialize in jewelry insurance appraisal, but can provide you with any level of appraisal from estate, liquidation, probate and more. Please see my resume at the end of this page.
The YourGemologist advanced gemological lab includes the following instruments and capabilities to professionally evaluate, document and appraise all of your jewelry or gemstone appraisal needs.
Here is a list of our onsite and partnered scientific evaluation services:
Raman Spectroscopy
XRF
MDM UV-VIS-NIR Spectroscopy
SEM EDXS
FT-IR
LA-ICP-MS
Meiji Techno Microscopes with 1080p, HD Video production capability
Refractometers: Optical and Jemeter Digital 90 Reflectance
Polariscope: Optical
Spectroscopes: Prism and Diffraction Grating
Dichroscopes: London and Calcite Rhomb
Chelsea Filters and assorted other diagnostic color filters
Fiber Optics: LED, Halogen, etc…
Digital Measuring for accuracy
High definition microphotography
The YourGemologist Gemological and Jewelry Appraisal Lab was created in 2008 based on the requests from consumers and gemstone dealers for help in the investigation and research of Tibet andesine, the $100 million gemstone fraud that was perpetrated by several television shopping channels and gemstone websites. After our report and efforts on behalf of consumers and the industry ended the fraud we continued our research into the undisclosed treatments of gemstones. This led to our discovery of the artificial color infusion of tourmaline, and the fact that virtually any gemstone can be artificially color enhanced.
As a licensed insurance adjuster I work with the Special Investigations Units of several major insurance companies which keeps me at the forefront of the latest developments in the gemstone industry, and my work has been accepted by the insurance industry and courts world wide.
National Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters
YourGemologist LLC, operating as the International School of Gemology and Jewelry Adjuster, is proud to have been elected to membership of the NAIIA, the nations oldest and most prestigious association for insurance adjusters. The ISG is the education division of YourGemologist LLC, and our courses are taught to licensed insurance adjusters through the NAIIA membership. We are the only gemology school in the world that holds this professional designation.
Location: in the Cheetahlish building in Helotes, Texas.
Two miles west of San Antonio from the 1604 and Bandera Rd intersection:
Robert James FGA, GG
YourGemologist LLC
14837 Old Bandera Rd, Bldg D
Helotes, TX 78023
210-695-5520 or contact us: RobertJames@YourGemologist.com
Appointments available Monday thru Saturday.
Unless otherwise required, all work done while you wait and watch.
Directory of Services
Insurance Replacement Appraisals
After the appraisal work is done I will work with your insurance agent or underwriter to insure that your jewelry is properly covered for all perils that you require on your policy. All work done while you wait for San Antonio and South Texas residents who come to my office, or at your bank, home, or attorney's office whichever is required. There is a travel fee of $50.00 per hour portal to portal for actual travel time only. Appraisal fees still apply to the total.
For clients too far away: All work is done within 48 hours of receipt in my office.
Appraisals include full documentation and photographs based on the International School of Gemology and American Gem Society guidelines for a Registered Gemologist Appraiser and Certified Gemologist Appraiser Items must be shipped via US Postal Service Registered Mail with return receipt for your protection. Insure for the full value that you believe the item to be worth. There is a separate mailing address for Registered Mail receiving so please contact me first.
Jewelry and Gemstone Damage Assessment
Evaluation, documentation and representation of damaged jewelry claims, specializing in damaged diamonds and claims related damage issues. I will work directly with your insurance adjuster to get you a fair insurance settlement. Remember, I worked for years with the USAA Gem Lab specifically performing damage evaluations for the fourth largest insurance company in the world. No one is more qualified to assist you with your damage claim.
Gem Identification Service
Includes a full color Certificate of Authenticity with photograph. Discounts given on large orders of multiple items shipped at the same time. Call for inquiries.
Estate Appraisals and Probate
All work done while you wait for San Antonio and South Texas residents who come to my office, or at your bank, home, or attorney's office whichever is required. There is a travel fee of $50.00 per hour portal to portal for actual travel time only. Appraisal fees still apply to the total.
For clients too far away: All work is done within 48 hours of receipt in my office.
Appraisals include full documentation and photographs based on the American Gem Society guidelines for a Certified Gemologist Appraiser
Items must be shipped via US Postal Service Registered Mail with return receipt for your protection. Insure for the full value that you believe the item to be worth. There is a separate mailing address for Registered Mail receiving so please contact me first.
Litigation and Expert Witness
As a state licensed insurance adjuster and internationally recognized gemologist, I have been called on for many cases involving litigation and as an expert witness. If you have a case pending where you need a solid gemological evaluation and an experienced expert witness, call me. I have solid credentials and references that are the highest of any appraiser in the area.
Resume and Credentials
Robert James FGA, GG
Award Date Gemological Certificate or Diploma Institute or Association
June 1978 Diamond Grading and Evaluation Gemological Institute of America
October 1979 Coloured Stone Grading and Identification G.I.A.
November 1979 Gemologist, GIA G.I.A.
November 1988 Registered Jeweler American Gem Society
May 1992 Certified Gemologist (CG) American Gem Society
March 2002 Certified Gemologist Appraiser (CGA) American Gem Society (Inactive Status)
May 1988 Jewelry Retailing G.I.A.
August 1989 Pearl Grading and Evaluation G.I.A.
February 1996 Diamond Grading G.I.A.
February 1996 Detecting Fracture Filled Diamonds G.I.A.
February 1996 Gem Identification G.I.A.
March 1996 Colored Stone Grading G.I.A.
May 1996 Gold and Precious Metals G.I.A.
October 1997 Insurance Replacement Appraisal G.I.A.
March 1996 Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) G.I.A.
August 1997 Fellow (FGA) Gemmological Association of Great Britain
Professional Memberships:
Alumni Member G.I.A. Alumni Association
Fellow, Gemmological Association of Great Britain
Additional:
Member: National Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters
Property and Casualty Insurance Adjuster, Texas Department of Insurance #1300433
Continuing Education Instructor, Texas Department of Insurance
Certified Education Provider, Texas Department of Insurance #3391