During its 26-year history, the AGTA has become the voice for the colored gemstone industry. Two of the most significant contributions to the trade have been the creation of the AGTA Code of Ethics and Principles of Fair Business Practices and the Gemstone Enhancement Manual (G.E.M.).
The Code of Ethics (one of the first introduced in the industry) is required reading for all prospective AGTA Members.
Once a member has joined, the Code of Ethics holds the member to high standard of professional business practices and a higher standard of enhancement disclosure than that required by the Federal Trade Commission.
Published for the first time in 1985, the G.E.M., now in its seventh edition, has provided a valuable intra-industry method of communicating gemstone enhancement and treatment information.
