The Gem Lab - I.C.G.A. is an American Gem Society Accredited Gem Lab and is one of fewer than 17, Independent Certified Gemologist Appraiser firm members of the American Gem Society in North America. It was founded by Mark T. Cartwright, ISA CAPP, ICGA, CSM, APPA, GG (GIA) with the mission to provide accurate, unbiased, expert appraisals and gemological services to the public and businesses.
Mark began cutting gemstones as a hobby in 1965 and started making jewelry in 1973. He was the owner of a Texas based fine jewelry design studio until 1995. He then became the designer for a local fine jewelry store in Fayetteville where he worked until founding
The Gem Lab - I.C.G.A. Mark has been appraising fine jewelry since 1983 and earned his Gemologist diploma from GIA in 1985. He is currently a Certified Appraiser of Personal Property of the International Society of Appraisers, an Independent Certified Gemologist Appraiser of the American Gem Society, a Certified Senior Member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, an Advanced Personal Property Appraiser of the Jewelers Education Foundation and a Graduate Gemologist of the Gemological Institute of America.
SO WHAT’S UP WITH ALL THOSE INITIALS?
That string of initials after Mark’s name seems pretty excessive and probably deserves some explanation:
ISA CAPP is the highest appraisal designation offered by the International Society of Appraisers and was earned by completion of extensive educational requirements, a comprehensive examination, hundreds of hours of documented appraisal experience and the submission and peer review of both self-contained and summary appraisal reports. ISA is the only appraisal organization exclusively focused on the appraisal of personal property. There are, as of 2008, fewer than 20 appraisers in North America designated ISA CAPP with a specialty in Gems and Jewelry. This designation must be “re-certified” every 5 years by passing a 5 hour examination, documenting extensive professional development credits and hundreds of additional hours of appraisal experience.
ICGA is the highest appraisal designation of the American Gem Society and was earned by completion of the same courses, experience, tests and peer reviewed appraisals that are required of retail Certified Gemologist Appraiser members of AGS with some additional requirements. These additional requirements include the necessity to document extensive professional development credits, appraisal experience hours and submission of additional appraisal reports for peer review every 5 years. Further, the ICGA member must complete the 3 APPA courses and pass the comprehensive APPA examination. The ICGA member must have an AGS Accredited Gem Laboratory and pass the highest level of the annual re-certification examination expected of all AGS members.
CSM is the second highest designation offered and the highest designation currently held by any member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers; the highest designation, CMA, has never been awarded in the history of NAJA. This designation was earned by the accumulation of “points” based on education and experience and the successful completion of a comprehensive examination on appraisal theory along with submission of a self-contained and a summary appraisal report for peer review. Annual recertification is based on documented additional professional development credits.
APPA is the designation conferred by the completion of the Jewelers Education Foundation’s Advanced Personal Property Appraisal courses and successfully passing the 4 hour examination which covers the contents of all 3 courses. This designation is required by AGS as a prerequisite for the ICGA title. These courses are primarily focused on the legal underpinnings of appraising and detail the laws and regulations with which an appraiser must be familiar in order to protect his client both from and during legal proceedings. There is no recertification requirement for maintaining the APPA title.
GG (GIA) is the highest gemological title conferred by the Gemological Institute of America. It is earned by the completion of the courses and practical lab sections prescribed by GIA along with passing grades on the comprehensive examinations. This is strictly a gemological designation indicating expertise in the identification and grading of diamonds and gemstones. GIA doesn’t teach appraising or appraisal theory so just because someone is a GG (GIA) that doesn’t mean they can or will competently appraise your jewelry. There are no recertification or continuing education requirements for maintaining the GG (GIA) title.ABREVIATED BIOGRAPHICAL BACKGROUND & QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY
Mark T. Cartwright, ISA CAPP, ICGA, CSM, APPA, GG (GIA),
Professional Experience
2001 – Present
Sapphire Sky Inc. / The Gem Lab - I.C.G.A,
Fayetteville, AR
President, Gemologist and Appraiser for independent
AGS Accredited gemological laboratory
1996 – 2001
Underwood’s Jewelers, Fayetteville, AR
Jewelry Designer, Certified Gemologist Appraiser for
guild type jewelry store
1982 – 1996
Sapphire Sky Jewelry, El Paso, TX
Owner, Goldsmith, Certified Gemologist for custom
design fine jewelry store
1974 – 1979
El Gato Enterprises, Austin TX
Owner, Lapidary, Silversmith for wholesale trade
shop serving local jewelry artisans
1965 – 1973
Amateur lapidary and silversmith
Education and Professional Development
2008 International Society of Appraisers
Comprehensive report writing and peer review earning Certified Appraiser of
Personal Property (CAPP) designation
2008 American Society of Appraisers
Symposium: Practicing Before the IRS: A Guide for Personal Property Appraisers
2008 National Association of Jewelry Appraisers
Conference: Appraising lapidary art, USPAP update, Properties & Identification of Pearls, Investment Scam Appraisals (Presenter)
2008 Accredited Gemologist Association
Core Courses update and comprehensive re-qualification examination.
Certified Appraiser of Personal Property Appraisal Theory examination
2007 The Appraisal Foundation
15 Hour National USPAP course and examination with passing grade
2007 National Association of Jewelry Appraisers
Comprehensive Certification Examination & Appraisal Reports earning Certified Senior Member status
Conference: Choosing Markets & Market Levels, Arts & Crafts Jewelry, Ethics and Appraisal Standards, Mogul Jewelry
2006 National Association of Jewelry Appraisers
Conference: AGS & GIA Diamond Cut Grading, Appraisal of Jadeite, Visual Characteristics of Treated Gems, Hallmarks & Trademarks, Appraising Branded Gemstones, Jewelry Materials & Techniques Timeline
2006 International Society of Appraisers
Core Course update and re-qualification comprehensive examination. Certified Appraiser of Personal Property examination
2005 American Gem Society
Designated Independent Certified Gemologist Appraiser Firm Member
2005 Jeweler Education Foundation
Advanced Personal Property Appraiser course, Parts I, II, and III and comprehensive exam
earning APPA designation
2005 Accredited Gemologists Association
Annual conference devoted to GIA and AGS diamond cut grading systems & detection of
HTHP & Irradiated diamonds
2005 National Association of Jewelry Appraisers
Conference: Spectroscopy Workshop, Circa Dating Jewelry, Colombian Emerald Overview,
Native American Jewelry Overview, Detection of Advanced Diamond Treatments Overview
2003 American Gem Society
Gemology Update: Emeralds
Gemology Update: Rubies and Sapphires
2001 International Society of Appraisers
Comprehensive exam and sample appraisal report earning Accredited Member designation
Core Course in Appraisal Methodology 101, 102 and 103, and final exams, in residence.
The Appraisal of Antique and Period Jewelry and final exam, in residence.
2001 National Association of Jewelry Appraisers
Earned Accredited Member designation
Forensics and Expert Witness Course for Jewelry Appraisers
Detection of Synthetic Diamonds & HTHP Diamond Treatments Laboratory Course
2001 Gemological Institute of America
Completed requirements earning Graduate Gemologist (GIA) title
Diamond Grading Laboratory (5 day laboratory course)
2000 American Gem Society
Appraisal theory courses I and II
Exam and comprehensive appraisal report earning Certified Gemologist Appraiser designation
2000 Gemological Institute of America
Gem Identification Laboratory (5 day laboratory course)
Advanced Diamond Grading Laboratory
Detection of Advanced Synthetic Gems and Synthetic Diamonds Laboratory
1995 Jewelers Education Foundation
Professional Appraising Foundation Course, Level 1
1989 American Gem Society
Course and Examination requirements earning Certified Gemologist designation
1985 Gemological Institute of America
Diamonds course
Colored Stones course
Gem Identification course
Comprehensive examination earning Gemologist (GIA) designation
1974 Glen and Martha Vargas School for Faceting
Completed two week intensive course in gemstone faceting
