AMERICAN Gemological Laboratories was acquired by Collectors Universe, Inc. The announcement this Monday said the acquisition price was $3.5 million in cash, with contingent payments of up to an aggregate of an additional $3.5 million over the next five years based on the performance of AGL. AGL, an international forensic colored gemstone certification and grading laboratory, is a leading third party lab for colored gemstones, including those sold at auction through Sothebys and Christies and by jewelry retailers such as Cartier and Fred Leighton%%Now the Newport Beach, California-based company owns a diamond lab and a colored stone lab. AGL was founded by C.R. "Cap" Beesely, a Graduate Gemologist of the GIA and recipient of numerous awards including the prestigious Antonio C. Bonanno Award for Excellence in gemology from the Accredited Gemologists Association. Beesley, president of AGL since its founding in 1977, will retain the position even though the lab will be operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Collectors Universe.%% AGL has one of the largest colored gemstone reference collections, with over 5,000 stones from various countries and specimens demonstrating the various enhancements and treatments, which is critical to the ability to accurately evaluate the nature and quality of colored gemstone enhancements and to determine the country of origin. Collectors Universe celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2006, and through it operating divisions, certified more than 3 million items in the last year value at almost $3 billion.