GEM Grading - The good, the bad, and the ugly.

ndleo

I hate to admit this but I am tracking a modern auto rc that is in a Gem 10 holder. I need the card for my set and planned to crack it out anyway since the set is raw. However I am concerned that the card may be re-colored or trimmed.

This maybe a stupid question but does anyone have experience cracking out Gem graded cards? Are they just overgraded or have they been to the doctors? I've never bought a Gem card before and have no idea how they operate.

perkdog

I cant believe this question still pops up from time to time! GEM grading is everything you dont want - whether its overgraded or recolored/trimmed.

stevek

GEM Grading - The good, the bad, and the ugly.

For the sake of accuracy you should remove "good" from the title.

calaban7

They would get more respect from me, if they graded up to "11". I mean, an 11 is better than a 10 , right . Someone could show me their 10 , then I could pull out my "11" and banish their 10

Brian48

Very bad, very ugly. Let's leave it at that.

MY own experiences with GEM before I knew better.

1981 Pawtucket Wade Boggs, GeM 10 = fake
1983 Topps Wade Bogges, GEM 10 = trimmed (by A LOT)
1984 Pawtucket Roger Clemens, GEM 10 = fake
1985 Topps Tiffany Roger Clemens, GEM 10 = PSA 8 (yah, it's not fake)

lawnmowerman

I bought an Eddie George Sp rc in a Gem slab when I first got into grading.

The card was VERY trimmed lol

schr1st

If it's in a GEM holder, only buy it as a filler until another card comes along. If it's not a super rare card, then just wait for another card to show up on eBay.

ndleo

OK. It looks like I will wait until the next one comes up.

I used to buy USA graded cards and while they were typically overgraded, I never had an issue with doctoring.

fiveniner

Just FORGADABOUDIT.

Dboneesq

<< <i>Just FORGADABOUDIT. >>



5-9er ... if youse is gonna say it, say it da rite ways, da ways weese New Yawkas say it:

FUGGHEDABOUDIT!

thunderdan

I'm actually 1 for 1 with cracking and submitting a Gem Card.

Bought a 1987 Fleer Bonds Gem 10 and got a PSA 10. I flipped it back when it was worth something, which in hindsight was a very good thing.

Maybe PSA missed something or maybe it was not trimmed, but I won't press my luck a second time.

1989FleerBillRipkencollector

Big Gamble.

Not a Proof. Not a 10 (Beckett later slabbed it a 8) Mispelled Ripken



This one is a counterfeit. Not printed, photocopied and on photo type paper. Worth about $1000 because it's not a 10 though. lol



It's never a good sign when they have this on their front page-

"ADDED:11/30/2004
GEM Grading Services Inc. grades the quality of actual sportscard paper stock.
Providing authentication is challenging and not guaranteed due to improved computerized printing techniques."

What does GEM stand for anyways?

Good
Eye
Missing

Gee
Everythings
Mint

Gets
Easy
Money

WinPitcher

Depending on price I'd take a chance if it was a modern card. Didn't they have a deal
with the HSN and graded cards straight from the pack? It might be over graded but not altered.

Again, this is regarding modern stuff and the price has to reflect this.

Steve

Mphilking

I'm with WinPitcher. I wouldn't buy anything vintage from GEM. I do have some of their modern stuff I paid less than ungraded for. I think they are all 10's in their grade, maybe some 8's and 9's I doubt many 10's.

NickM

I also agree with WinPitcher. On a manufacturer-certified autograph, why bother trimming it before submitting it to GEM? IMO there is a decent chance that it's a 7 to 8 from a legitimate grading company.

Nick

MBMiller25

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

otwcards

<< <i>What does GEM stand for anyways?

Good
Eye
Missing

Gee
Everythings
Mint

Gets
Easy
Money >>



GEM = Guaranteed Everything's Misgraded
GEM = Generally, Everything's Mislabeled
GEM = Graded Evidently (by) Monkeys

WinPitcher

I am tracking a modern auto rc that is in a Gem 10 holder.


If the price is right I'd take the chance.

Steve