Forensic Gemology in Jewelry Litigation

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Forensic Gemology in Jewelry Litigation

Damage, Defects, Fraud & Defensible Reporting

A live online professional webinar for attorneys, insurance professionals, appraisers, and forensic investigators.

Jewelry-related disputes can involve far more than visible damage. Questions of manufacturing defect, fraud, treatment disclosure, causation, and expert reporting can all become central issues in litigation and claims evaluation.

This live professional webinar provides a practical framework for understanding how forensic gemology applies to real-world jewelry disputes and how defensible conclusions are developed. It is based on actual case history from litigation cases and insurance claims.

Tuesday, May 5
1:00 PM CDT
Live Online Webinar | 2 Hours
Webinar Fee: $295.00

Why This Training Matters

Jewelry litigation often turns on details that are easy to overlook but critical to the outcome of a case.

Was the damage caused by impact, wear, or a pre-existing condition?
Is the issue a true manufacturing defect or normal wear over time?
Was there misrepresentation involving gemstone treatment, enhancement, or quality disclosure?
Can the conclusions in a report withstand scrutiny?

This webinar is designed to help professionals understand how forensic gemology is used to evaluate these questions and communicate findings in a clear, defensible manner.

Who Should Attend

This webinar is designed for:

  • Personal property litigators
  • Insurance defense and plaintiff attorneys
  • Insurance claims professionals and adjusters
  • SIU investigators
  • Jewelry appraisers
  • Gemologists involved in dispute work
  • Retail jewelers handling complex damage or defect claims

Topics Covered

Participants will gain insight into:

  • Jewelry damage analysis
    Distinguishing impact damage, wear, misuse, and pre-existing conditions
  • Manufacturing defect issues
    Understanding workmanship, materials, design concerns, and defect allegations
  • Fraud and misrepresentation
    Treatment disclosure, enhancement issues, substitution, and other fraud-related concerns
  • Causation analysis
    Evaluating how and why damage or defects may have occurred
  • Defensible reporting
    Structuring clear, objective conclusions that support professional and legal review
  • Case-driven forensic thinking
    Applying gemological analysis to disputes, claims, and litigation settings

Meet Your Instructor

This webinar is presented by Robert James, RGA, FGA, GG, a forensic gemologist with extensive experience in insurance investigations, jewelry damage analysis, and litigation support.

A former Senior Gemologist and SIU investigator with USAA, he has worked on complex cases involving damage claims, fraud, and disputed jewelry evaluations, with experience extending to state and federal court testimony. Mr. James has a 100% winning record as a gemology expert witness in litigation cases including jury trials. 

As President of the United States Gemological Institute (USGI), he has trained professionals worldwide in gemology and appraisal, bringing practical, real-world insight into every aspect of this training.

headshot3Robert James RGA, FGA, GG
President, United States Gemological Institute
Fellow, Gemmological Association of Great Britain
Graduate Gemologist, Gemological Institute of America
Property and Casualty Adjuster, Texas Department of Insurance #1300433
Certified Education Provider, Texas Department of Insurance #170536
Member: National Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters
Associate Member: American Bar Association
Business Law Certificate: Cornell Law School
Higher Education Teaching Certificate: Harvard University