Sapphire Sky Gem Lab Offers Expert Appraisal

Owner: Mark Cartwright

Address: 2020 Joyce Blvd., Fayetteville 72703

Phone: (501) 444-7759

Hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday and by appointment

Start-up date: May 1

E-mail address: [email protected]

Internet address: www.sapphireskygemlab.com

With 36 years in the jewelry business — he started when he was 12 — Mark Cartwright opened Sapphire Sky Gem Lab, a jewelry-appraisal firm in Fayetteville.

The shop sells Cartwright’s appraisal expertise, which was recently sharpened by an additional 200 hours of classes. Studying subjects such as antique jewelry appraisal and appraisal methodology, the gemologist traveled between Dallas, Atlanta and Tucson to attend classes.

Cartwright said his credentials include accreditation by the International Society of Appraisers and the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers. He is also a gemologist, having graduated from the Gemological Institute of America.

Sapphire Sky Gem Lab features a small office for Cartwright’s equipment and a high-security vault. A security system protects the pieces in the shop, and Cartwright said everything is fully insured. About $30,000 of gemological equipment stocks Cartwright’s tool bench.

Elisabeth Butler may be reached via e-mail at [email protected].