First Industry price list for HPHT diamonds issued by Universal Gemological Services

New York, April 10 - Universal Gemological Services (UGS), an appraisal affiliate of EGL USA laboratory, announced today that it has created the first industry wholesale price list for High Pressure High Temperature treated diamonds. The price list will be launched in the May issue of Professional Jeweler and appear there every other month.

"As a result of the growing number of HPHT diamonds in the market and more requests for appraisals on these stones, we began a year-long study to develop a market-based price list," said Annette Widemann, Manager, Special Projects, of UGS. Prices are based on research from producers, wholesalers and industry consultants.

Ms. Widemann, a B.A. and G.G., studied business and the jewelry industry at the Industrie und Handelskammer in Tubingten, Germany. She honed her appraisal skills at Kaplans, a Swedish auction house, before joining EGL USA.

The most common colors are yellow-green diamonds, according to Ms. Widemann, so UGS based its prices on fancy intense/vivid yellow diamonds.

UGS was founded in 1986 as an independent affiliate of EGL USA to meet the growing needs for reliable and accurate retail appraisals for fine jewelry and gemstones. It specializes in appraisals for insurance and estate purposes.

EGL USA has been deeply involved in HPHT research since 1999. As colorless and colored diamonds modified by HPHT have proven to be stable to normal wear and heat, the lab began grading these permanent colored stones in January 2000. It was the first lab to design a grading report especially for colored HPHT diamonds and the process is briefly explained on the back cover of its newly designed Gem Report.

For more information about the UGS HPHT Wholesale Price List, contact Annette Widemann at 212-730-7380 Ext. 238 or by e-mail to Annette@eglusa.com