As the global gemstone market becomes increasingly complex with fraud on the rise, The Gem Lab is setting a new benchmark for trust, transparency, and authenticity with the introduction of its “Gem Lab Approved” standard.
Founded and led by Jeremy Rothon FGA, one of South Africa’s most experienced and respected gemmologists, The Gem Lab has built its reputation on decades of technical expertise, rigorous evaluation standards, and a commitment to protecting both the trade and the end consumer.
“Consumers are navigating an industry where treatments, synthetics, and imitations are becoming harder to detect,” says Rothon. “The need for independent, expert verification has never been more important. ‘Gem Lab Approved’ is about giving both jewellers and their clients absolute confidence in what they are buying and selling.”
The “Gem Lab Approved” mark signals that a gemstone has been assessed, handled, and supported by The Gem Lab, carrying the weight of Rothon’s expertise and the laboratory’s established credibility. It provides a clear, recognisable indicator of quality and authenticity in a market where uncertainty can directly impact value.
Alongside this initiative, The Gem Lab is expanding its service offering through a newly launched Protection Partnership programme. Designed for jewellers, retailers and industry professionals, the programme formalises access to The Gem Lab’s services while elevating the standard of gemstone verification across the market.
The partnership offers:
- Priority access to laboratory services, ensuring faster turnaround times and predictable scheduling
- Direct technical support, enabling more informed sourcing and decision-making
- Use of the “Gem Lab Approved” brand, strengthening credibility at the point of sale
- Enhanced client experience, supported by professional documentation and clear gemstone insights
- Ongoing staff education, equipping sales teams with the knowledge to communicate value and quality with confidence
With tiered options tailored to different business needs, the Protection Partnership enables jewellers to align more closely with The Gem Lab while reinforcing their own market positioning.
“This is about raising the standard of the entire industry,” adds Rothon. “When clients see ‘Gem Lab Approved’, they should immediately understand that the stone has been through a level of scrutiny they can trust.”
As The Gem Lab continues to expand locally and internationally, the goal remains clear: to establish “Gem Lab Approved” as a globally recognised mark of assurance in the gemstone and jewellery sector.
Established in 1989, The Gem Lab (Pty) Ltd is a leading independent gemstone laboratory specialising in the identification, grading, and valuation of gemstones and jewellery. With a reputation built on precision, integrity, and deep industry expertise, The Gem Lab plays a critical role in protecting both trade professionals and consumers from lab grown diamonds and coloured stones to imitations and artificially treated gemstones. Through its “Gem Lab Approved” standard, the laboratory provides a clear, trusted mark of authenticity and quality, giving both jewellers and their clients confidence at the point of sale.
