American Gem Society (AGS) Grievance & Review Subcommittee Standards and Procedures

The Grievance & Review Subcommittee (G&R) has the responsibility to ensure that all members of AGS adhere to the established standards and ethics of AGS. The following is the procedure currently implemented when a written grievance is filed on a member firm:

1. All written complaints are reviewed by the AGS Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to determine if the complaint is valid. All complaints must meet the following criteria to be considered:
   1. Documentation with samples of offending materials must be included.
   2. Material submitted must be considered in accordance with AGS standards.

2. A file will be established that will contain all correspondence and notes regarding the alleged complaint.

3. The complainant will be notified in writing by the CEO (after consultation with the G&R chair) as to whether the complaint has merit. The CEO shall make reasonable efforts to provide such notice within thirty days after receipt of the complaint.

4. If the CEO determines the complaint has merit, the alleged offender will be asked to submit a written response regarding the issue for which they are being charged. G&R will review any response and may request additional information from complainant and alleged offender if necessary.

5. If the alleged offender fails to respond to the CEO’s letter and continues to employ the offensive business practices in question, a recommendation for further action will be determined by G&R.

6. G&R will gather all pertinent information and enlist the assistance of the appropriate committee chairpersons for consultation and recommendations.

7. If G&R ascertains validity of the claim, recommendations for correction must be sent to the alleged offender in writing. If the Grievance & Review Subcommittee determines there is no violation, G&R or AGS will notify the parties that there was not a violation.

8. If the alleged offender, after being notified in writing of the determination by G&R that there has been a violation, continues the offensive business practice in question, or if the offense is serious enough to warrant further action, G&R, in its sole discretion, may issue a recommendation for appropriate action to be taken. Appropriate action could include probation, suspension, or expulsion from AGS.

To file a Grievance & Review claim, please provide a written complaint that meets the criteria outlined above, including all relevant supporting documents or materials, either by mail to: American Gem Society, 8881 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89117, or by email to: [email protected].