Darold Allen GG, AGA, is the founder and director of the Gemological Laboratory of Los Angeles. He is an active diamond and estate jewelry broker who specializes in period jewelry in addition, the marking of diamonds for cutting in the trade. Darold also lectures and acts as a consultant for major diamond firms, auction houses and banks. He is frequently called upon to serve as an expert witness for testimony in jewelry and gem related cases and as a forensic gemologist.
Mr. Allen has been a member of the Accredited Gemologists Association since 1982, former senior member of the American Society of Appraisers (1981 – 2002) and was a charter member of the G.I.A. Alumni Association since 1982.
After graduation from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in 1976, Darold went on to earn certificates in jewelry retailing, pearl grading and evaluation. After several years in jewelry sales and appraising, he then advanced to director of sales for a major colored stone firm where his sales territory covered nine western states. In 1979, he was invited to join the staff at the GIA headquarters as a diamond instructor and was instrumental in the development and writing of the diamond course. Later, he moved to a position in the GIA’s Gem Trade Laboratory known world-wide for their diamond reports. Here, he performed quality evaluations on diamond and gem identification on colored stones.
Darold enjoys traveling abroad to purchase colored gemstones and period jewelry. On a trip to east Africa he focused his purchases on several well know gems – aquamarine, tourmaline and sapphire. In pursuing his love of antique jewelry through major auction houses he has worked with and handled some of the world’s most spectacular historic jewelry and gemstones.
213-623-3773
Email: gemlabofla@aol.com
