Do I get the appraisal now or later?

[MrsAbel]

Tomorrow afternoon I am going over to Mark Turnowski to leave a deposit for a loose diamond and setting that I am purchasing from him.

My question is this:

The stone I am purchasing comes with a GIA report. Do I need to have the stone appraised before it is mounted in the setting or do I have the ring appraised after the stone is set?

I only thought that appraisals were needed for insurance replacement etc. so only the set ring should be appraised. However I am reading online that people send stones to be appraised before setting them and then sending the ring to be appraised for insurance.

Help!

Thanks!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

People send stones to appraisers if they do not trust the vendor, are buying unseen and have it sent to the appraiser first or doubt their own judgement.

If you have worked personally with Mark then i doubt you would not trust him.

So there would be no reason for you to get a second opinion and you could simply get an appraisal for insurance - IF you are going to insure it.

 

[Stone Hunter]

I have to agree with Gary.

I know it feels weird to go against standard PS behavior! I bought a stone (GIA) from JA and did not have an appraiser look at it first. I knew it was the stone that GIA said. I did trust JA but I felt like I was being reckless. It''ll be OK. Many times people have stones sent to an appraiser so they can see it before buying it. You already looked at the stone, so go ahead and have it set.

 

[oldminer]

I believe the power of the public forums, such as Pricescope, have over vendors is amazingly strong. The general trend among Internet vendors is good service combined with almost painful honesty. You need to trust the vendor just to begin to make a serious deal.

The point of an appraisal before setting is to insure the right diamond, in proper condition, is being supplied. Once set, a diamond may be pretty well identified, approximately measured, approximately color, clarity graded and cut graded. It won't be as accurate as if the diamond was not set. If any damage is discovered after the stone is set, the question immediately becomes, "Who damaged the stone?" If the stone was checked in advance of the setting work by an independent party, then the answer is unquestioned. If not, then it is a matter of someone admitting to the situation. It can get sticky. This is not a frequent occurrence, but it has happened. When it happens to you, the frequency makes no difference.

This is not a scare tactic being employed. People successfully buy diamonds with great, moderate or little care. Many of these transactions are trouble free regardless of the level of care given them. Those who do seek the best assistance rarely, if ever, become one of the minority statistics of who got taken, ripped-off or cheated.

To the extent possible, extra care in buying any expensive item; a diamond, a car, a house, etc usually pays off for the added cost involved and the potential for heartache saved.

If noting else, carefully examine the diamond in a microscope for a few minutes before taking delivery. Look at and around every prong tip. Look underneath, especially near the prongs. Make sure the stone is free of any suspicious breakages or chips. If the diamond is laser inscribed. be sure to read the inscription and match it to the cert. Only accept the ORIGINAL GIA or AGS document, not a photo-copy. Get a detailed bill of sale and understand the return policy....... You'll be better off for the extra effort.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I did as Garry and StoneHunter suggested. I only buy from a vendor I totally trust and I buy GIA or AGS certified. I had an insurance "appraisal" done once the stone was set, and that was free with the purchase of the setting.