The American Gem Society Laboratories, LLC is expanding its management team by adding Joe Van Ells in the newly created position of director, Gemological Services. Van Ells, who will report to Peter Yantzer, AGS Laboratories executive director, will be responsible for directing the lab’s team of diamond grading professionals.

Since 2002, Van Ells served as Stuller’s Large Diamond Grading manager and Gemology Instructor. Prior to that, he worked for QVC Shopping Network as a gemstone buyer and provided quality assurance oversight. Van Ells also served as a Gemological Instructor for GIA, providing instruction worldwide in diamond grading.

Van Ells is a Certified Gemologist from the American Gem Society, and is a Graduate Gemologist from GIA. He also has a BS from Ball State University, in Earth Science/Secondary Education and Anthropology and is a graduate in Jewelry Manufacturing at Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology.

JCK