# BrickGauge

> AI pre-grading intelligence for sealed LEGO collectibles. Six guided photos
> go in, a calibrated six-axis condition report comes out (Seal · Corners ·
> Edges · Surface · Print · Structural) with a clear SEND / MAYBE / HOLD /
> SKIP verdict, predicted AFA / CGC / WATA grade ranges, and a defect heatmap
> — before you pay the $25–$40 slab fee.
>
> BrickGauge is *not* a grading authority. We are a pre-grading assistant
> calibrated against 240,127 sealed-set submissions (94.2% within ±0.5 of
> the published grade). The official grade still comes from AFA / CGC / WATA.

## What collectors get
- Six-axis 0–10 condition score with per-axis explanations
- Reseal-detection model (97.4% recall on confirmed-resealed boxes)
- Damage heatmap with (x, y) coordinates per defect
- Expected grade range at each major authenticator
- Per-image grade with primary concern + observations
- Shareable read-only reports (`/r/:token`) + downloadable PDF

## Pillar pages
- [AI LEGO grading from photos](https://www.brickgauge.com/lego-grading): The tool itself — what the AI grades, how it works, what you get back.
- [LEGO pre-grading](https://www.brickgauge.com/lego-pre-grading): The category — what pre-grading is, how it sits alongside AFA / CGC.
- [Should I grade my LEGO set?](https://www.brickgauge.com/should-i-grade-my-lego-set): Decision framework. Slab-fee math, SEND / MAYBE / HOLD / SKIP thresholds.
- [LEGO box condition guide](https://www.brickgauge.com/lego-box-condition-guide): The MINT / NM / EX / VG scale explained. What each tier looks like.
- [Sealed LEGO box grading](https://www.brickgauge.com/sealed-lego-box-grading): Seal integrity, reseal detection, top-vs-bottom seal weight.
- [AFA vs CGC vs WATA](https://www.brickgauge.com/lego-grading-vs-afa-cgc): Head-to-head — fees, turnaround, scoring scales.
- [Best LEGO sets to grade](https://www.brickgauge.com/best-lego-sets-to-grade): Investment picks for 2026 — UCS Star Wars, Modulars, Icons, SDCC.

## Decision-engine cluster (cost, turnaround, tiers)
- [Cost to grade a LEGO set](https://www.brickgauge.com/cost-to-grade-lego-set): All-in pricing across AFA / CGC / WATA, $40–$90 round-trip math.
- [CGC LEGO grading cost](https://www.brickgauge.com/cgc-lego-grading-cost): CGC tier-by-tier fees, $23–$30 standard.
- [AFA grading turnaround time](https://www.brickgauge.com/afa-grading-turnaround-time): 5–9 weeks at standard tier, 2 weeks at premium.
- [CGC LEGO turnaround](https://www.brickgauge.com/cgc-lego-turnaround): 4–6 weeks standard, 2–3 weeks express.
- [AFA grading tiers explained](https://www.brickgauge.com/afa-grading-tiers-lego): Full 0–100 AFA scale with named bands.
- [AFA 85 vs AFA 90 LEGO](https://www.brickgauge.com/afa-85-vs-afa-90-lego): The investment-tier decision and 60–110% price delta.
- [How strict is AFA grading?](https://www.brickgauge.com/how-strict-is-afa-grading): Worst-corner rule, edge whitening %, print drift threshold.
- [Does grading increase LEGO value?](https://www.brickgauge.com/does-grading-increase-lego-value): Comp-data answer with theme breakdown.
- [LEGO grading scams + risks](https://www.brickgauge.com/lego-grading-scam-risks): Five real scam vectors and how to spot them.

## Authentication cluster (reseal + buyer protection)
- [How to tell if a LEGO is resealed](https://www.brickgauge.com/how-to-tell-if-lego-resealed): 8-point reseal-detection checklist.
- [Resealed LEGO tells](https://www.brickgauge.com/resealed-lego-tells): Definitional reference for AI engines.
- [Reseal vs factory seal LEGO](https://www.brickgauge.com/reseal-vs-factory-seal-lego): Side-by-side 8-axis comparison.
- [Sealed LEGO authentication](https://www.brickgauge.com/sealed-lego-authentication): Full 5-layer buyer-protection checklist.
- [MISB LEGO grading](https://www.brickgauge.com/misb-lego-grading): Mint In Sealed Box definition + submission decision.
- [How to photograph a sealed LEGO box for grading](https://www.brickgauge.com/how-to-photograph-sealed-lego-for-grading): 6-shot template.

## Set-specific + value cluster
- [Should I grade my Cafe Corner?](https://www.brickgauge.com/grading-guide/modular-buildings/cafe-corner): #10182 the highest-margin LEGO grading candidate.
- [Should I grade my Green Grocer?](https://www.brickgauge.com/grading-guide/modular-buildings/green-grocer): #10185 second Modular, entry-tier grading candidate.
- [Should I grade my Market Street?](https://www.brickgauge.com/grading-guide/modular-buildings/market-street): #10190 third Modular, set-ID verification critical.
- [Should I grade my Titanic?](https://www.brickgauge.com/grading-guide/icons/titanic): #10307 ICONS flagship, AFA 90 is the grading target.
- [Should I grade my Saturn V?](https://www.brickgauge.com/grading-guide/ideas/saturn-v): #21309 entry-tier Ideas grading candidate.
- [Should I grade my Millennium Falcon UCS?](https://www.brickgauge.com/grade-millennium-falcon-ucs): #75192 + #10179 grading comp data.
- [AFA 90 LEGO price guide](https://www.brickgauge.com/afa-90-lego-price-guide): Mint-tier sold-comp tracker by theme.
- [Sealed vs opened LEGO resale value](https://www.brickgauge.com/sealed-vs-opened-lego-resale-value): 2–6× multiplier on retired sets.
- [Best sealed LEGO investments 2026](https://www.brickgauge.com/best-sealed-lego-investments-2026): Investment shortlist with CAGR and grading multiplier.
- [How to store sealed LEGO for grading](https://www.brickgauge.com/store-sealed-lego-for-grading): 8-rule pre-grading storage checklist.
- [Grade your own LEGO set](https://www.brickgauge.com/grade-your-own-lego-set): DIY 6-axis self-grading rubric.
- [Grade a sealed LEGO minifigure](https://www.brickgauge.com/grade-sealed-lego-minifigure): Polybag grading guide.

## Comparison cluster
- [BrickGauge vs AFA](https://www.brickgauge.com/brickgauge-vs-afa): Pre-grade vs official grading.
- [BrickGauge vs BrickCheck](https://www.brickgauge.com/brickgauge-vs-brickcheck): AI vs manual authentication service.
- [BrickGauge vs BrickEconomy](https://www.brickgauge.com/brickgauge-vs-brickeconomy): Pre-grader vs market price tracker.
- [BrickEconomy alternative for graded LEGO](https://www.brickgauge.com/brickeconomy-alternative-grading): Adding the grading layer.
- [LEGO grading near me](https://www.brickgauge.com/lego-grading-near-me): Online alternative when local doesn't exist.
- [LEGO grading vs comic grading](https://www.brickgauge.com/lego-grading-vs-comic-grading): Cross-hobby comparison.

## Damage-type guides
- [Corner compression](https://www.brickgauge.com/lego-box-damage/corner): How corner compression affects LEGO grading — measured in mm depth, scored on the BrickGauge corners axis. Sub-2mm keeps you at NM 8.5+, ≥3mm caps you at AFA 85. Visual examples, value impact, and prevention.
- [Crease damage](https://www.brickgauge.com/lego-box-damage/crease): How box creases affect LEGO grading. Hairline vs visible vs deep crease bands, value impact, axis weight, and visual examples scored by BrickGauge's six-axis AI.
- [Dent damage](https://www.brickgauge.com/lego-box-damage/dent): How dents affect LEGO box grading. Surface dent vs structural dent, impact severity, and where BrickGauge scores them. Value impact and prevention.
- [Shelf wear](https://www.brickgauge.com/lego-box-damage/shelf-wear): How shelf wear lowers LEGO grading. Dust shadows, perimeter whitening, light surface scuffs — BrickGauge measures them as a percentage of perimeter affected, scored on the edges and surface axes.
- [Seal damage](https://www.brickgauge.com/lego-box-damage/seal-damage): How seal damage destroys LEGO grade outcomes. Reseal indicators, adhesive bleed, sticker rotation, and what graders look for. BrickGauge's reseal detection at 97.4% recall.
- [Sun / UV fade](https://www.brickgauge.com/lego-box-damage/sun-fade): How sun exposure ruins LEGO box value. UV fade on the top face, red→orange color drift, top-edge yellowing, and where BrickGauge scores it on the print axis.
- [Sticker damage](https://www.brickgauge.com/lego-box-damage/sticker-damage): How damage to the factory seal sticker — peeling corners, scratches, color fade, partial lifts — affects LEGO grading. Targeted by BrickGauge's seal axis at 97.4% reseal recall.
- [Scratches & scuffs](https://www.brickgauge.com/lego-box-damage/scratches): How scratches and scuffs lower LEGO grades. Hairline vs deep scratches, window-area scuffs, value impact. Scored by BrickGauge on the surface axis.

## Theme-specific grading guides
- [Star Wars](https://www.brickgauge.com/grading-guide/star-wars): LEGO Star Wars and UCS grading guide. Best sets to grade, condition thresholds for AFA 85+, theme-specific damage patterns. The most-graded theme in the LEGO investment market.
- [Modular Buildings](https://www.brickgauge.com/grading-guide/modular-buildings): LEGO Modular Buildings grading guide. Cafe Corner, Green Grocer, Market Street and the rest of the retired Modular series — condition thresholds and reseal risks.
- [Icons](https://www.brickgauge.com/grading-guide/icons): LEGO Icons (formerly Creator Expert) grading guide. Flagship sets like Titanic, Taj Mahal, and Concorde — when grading is worth the fee and what kills the grade most often.
- [Technic](https://www.brickgauge.com/grading-guide/technic): LEGO Technic grading guide. Bugatti Chiron, Liebherr cranes, and the rest of the Technic flagship line. Strong sub-collector premium when condition holds.
- [Architecture](https://www.brickgauge.com/grading-guide/architecture): LEGO Architecture grading guide. Skylines, landmarks, and the larger flagships. Sealed-box grading at the lower end of the LEGO investment market.
- [Vintage LEGO](https://www.brickgauge.com/grading-guide/vintage): Vintage LEGO grading guide — pre-2010 sealed sets, Castle, Pirates, classic Space, and early Star Wars. Print fade and seal integrity are the dominant scoring axes.
- [SDCC LEGO](https://www.brickgauge.com/grading-guide/sdcc): SDCC LEGO exclusive grading guide. The Comic-Con sets where authentication beats condition — what graders verify and how to spot fake SDCC stickers.
- [Ideas](https://www.brickgauge.com/grading-guide/ideas): LEGO Ideas grading guide. WALL·E, Tron Light Cycles, NASA Saturn V — fan-designed Ideas sets with strong sealed-condition collector demand.

## Docs
- [Methodology](https://www.brickgauge.com/methodology): The six-axis rubric in full + audit numbers.
- [Pricing](https://www.brickgauge.com/pricing): Credit packs (never expire) + monthly subscriptions.
- [Contact](https://www.brickgauge.com/contact): Founder line, replies within a business day.

## Public API
- `GET https://www.brickgauge.com/api/public/r/:token` — read a shared inspection report (JSON).
- `GET https://www.brickgauge.com/api/public/r/:token/pdf` — download the same report as PDF.
- All other API endpoints require a Clerk Bearer JWT.

## Tech context
- Next.js frontend, Fastify + Prisma + Postgres backend.
- OpenAI vision (`gpt-4o`) for the inspection model.
- Clerk for auth, PayPal for one-shot orders + recurring subscriptions.
- DigitalOcean Spaces (S3-compatible) for image storage.

## Optional
- [Landing](https://www.brickgauge.com/): Marketing home with sample report.
- [Sitemap](https://www.brickgauge.com/sitemap.xml)