John Politi Joins AGS Laboratories' Management Team

Las Vegas, April 6, 2006. The American Gem Society Laboratories, LLC is expanding their management team by adding John A. Politi, Jr. in the newly created position of Director, Business Development. Politi will be headquartered in New York's Diamond District and will be responsible for developing new business relationships and furthering the implementation and usage of AGS Laboratories' diamond documents within the New York Jewelry Community.

"The opportunity to work with the AGS Lab professionals was heaven sent – one not to be missed," Politi said.

"Our high standards for diamond grading, customer service, and consumer protection start with our people. John exemplifies the AGS Laboratories' standards of excellence," says Peter Yantzer, Executive Director of AGS Laboratories.

Politi was previously responsible in his position as CEO for establishing an Analytical Testing Center in the USA on behalf of the Assay Office Birmingham, U.K. His firm was responsible for the testing and identification of diamonds and colored gemstones, fine jewelry appraisals, and precious metal analysis.

Politi is a member of the 24 Karat Club of the City of New York, past President of the Golden Circle Club of New York, Providence Jewelers Club and a Board Director for the Jewelers Board of Trade. He has also been active with the National Conference for Community and Justice and American ORT Federation's Jewelry Chapters in the New York Metropolitan area.

AGS launched their Performance-based Cut Grading System in 2005, and since then, AGS Laboratories has been implementing the Cut Grade into their Diamond QualityTM Documents. In the new Cut-Grading System, all facets of a diamond are measured in three dimensions rather than two dimensions. The measurements are used by a computer program to trace light rays traveling through a diamond. The ray-tracing program shows the quantity and quality of the light being returned to the viewer. In addition to proportions, polish, and symmetry, AGS Laboratories will also consider brightness, dispersion, leakage, contrast and weight ratio in assigning the final cut grade.

For more information regarding AGS Laboratories products and services, please call 702.233.6120 or visit the website at www.agslab.com. To contact John Politi directly, please call 212.750.1213.