BOULDER, COLO.- Until now, the most advanced technology for determining the age, composition and authenticity of ancient artifacts and relics has been an ocean away from the United States, in England. Now American auction houses, dealers, museums, appraisers and collectors have a much closer alternative: Artemis Testing Lab (ATL), a sister operation to Artemis Gallery in Louisville (suburban Boulder), Colorado.

ATL came into being after a dinner conversation among friends who went on to become the company’s principals: Dr. Serge Fayeulle, his wife Barbara Fayeulle, and Artemis Gallery co-owners Bob and Teresa Dodge; Phil Keck, and Elaine Jamieson.

“We started talking about the need for a commercial testing lab for ancient art in the United States, because there isn’t one,” said Bob Dodge. “There’s a famous lab in Oxford, England, as well as others in France, Hong Kong and Germany, but the distance can be challenging when you need a quick confirmation. If you send a sample to Oxford, it can take three weeks to two months to receive the results. You have to mail the artwork internationally, which involves possible customs delays, then wait for the actual testing and return of the object, which involves yet another overseas journey and passage through customs.”

ATL can analyze an item and provide results to a customer in 24 hours, if desired, with their expedited-service option. Accuracy is guaranteed, and if another qualified lab later disputes ATL’s findings, the customer’s money will be promptly refunded.

“What we do is add a layer of protection for anyone who buys or sells ancient art. Dealers, auction houses, museums and other professionals have to be sure of authenticity, and by the same token, collectors want the assurance that what they’ve purchased is exactly what they paid for. For less than $300, which is our standard fee, they can obtain peace of mind,” Dodge said.

The lab has a staff of four people. Dr. Fayeulle, who hold a PhD in physics, conducts all of the tests. Among the objects that can be tested are pottery, faience, porcelain and other ceramics; and any type of metal.

Dr. Fayeulle uses a TL (thermoluminescence) machine to test a small sample of any type of earthenware and, by using a precise scientific process, can determine the amount of stored thermal energy and accurately date the piece. A second device, called an XRF gun, performs X-ray fluoroscopy to analyze the composition of metals and heavy elements and can only be used by a highly trained, state-licensed technician.

“If metals are detected during an XRF test that were not present in ancient objects, the piece being tested is flagged as suspicious,” said Dr. Fayeulle. “For example, a gentleman sent us a Pre-Columbian pottery jar that an expert was 100% sure was authentic, but our XRF text found 17% titanium in the pigment covering the jar. Titanium was first used in paint in the 20th century. Between the TL and XRF tests, we were able to prove that the pottery and pigment were from the 20th century.”

Even top experts can be fooled, said Dr. Fayeulle. “A piece may look right and feel right but still be a forgery. The service we provide is based purely on science, and science has no opinion except the correct one.”

One major auction house and prestigious art galleries from coast to coast have already signed on as ATL clients. The company has regional representatives to assist if pre-testing consultations are requested. Additionally, Dr. Fayeulle and his team will travel if is more convenient for the client. Volume pricing is available for entire collections or larger groupings of items.