Grading Reports:

One-of-a-kind carved gems by Sherris Cottier Shank come with full grading reports issued by the North American Lapidary Laboratory.

One of the first to have all of her carved gems graded by an outside gem laboratory, Sherris is proud to include this laminated report as part of your purchase.

Until very recently it has been unusual for individual artists to document their work through an outside gem lab. So unusual in fact, that an article titled "Gem Art Grading Reports" was published in Jewelers Circular Keystone magazine in October 2002. In that article Gary Roskin, GG, writes:

"Sherris Cottier Shank of Gemscapes Gem Carvings was the first to order colored-stone grading reports for all of her carved gems. (Charles) Ellias (from North American Lapidary Laboratories) prepares the laminated reports which provide a third party opinion on the quality attributes of each of Shank's gem carvings. All gem carvings are color graded and photographed, and reports for transparent stones include a diagram identifying inclusions.

In addition to establishing quality, the reports serve as a certificate of authenticity. Each is issued with Shank's logo, and each gem carving is assigned a serial number.

The reports provide a measure of confidence to retail customers regarding their carved-gem purchase, Shank notes. They also provide complete and accurate information should the consumer need to file a claim with an insurer."

If you would like to see a sample report of a 6.97 carat apatite, please click here.