Experience with PGS evaluation on Sapphire

[bar01]

Hello Colored Stone folks,

I know most of you read alot of wonderful (glowing) testimonies about some of the companies mentioned here on PS. This goes for those selling - and those evaluating stones.

Being a consumer oriented site – I hope I will not be considered out of line - if I post a "less than enthusiastic" experience with PGS for my Sapphire evaluation and appraisal. I know PGS is highly respected by many in the trade – so please don’t take this as a slam. Its not - it is just one consumer’s opinion.

I had originally hoped to use Richard Sherwood to evaluate and appraise my Sapphire, but he was on vacation when I needed his services. So I ended up using PGS. It was not a "terrible" experience, but it was not what I was promised on the phone and overall it was less than satisfactory.

On the other had - the price and time PGS needed to do the evaluation was good. Also, I am pretty sure I did get “enough” information that I feel I can proceed to purchase the Sapphire without losing sleep.

I originally had written up a long explanation of my experience with PGS and a picture of the final report, but thought it would sound too "nit picky” or perhaps to "winey" (I have had a bad day today)

I also think that some of my frustration is rooted in the fact that there is no accepted standards for grading and evaluating sapphires and determining fair prices. PGS uses their own system - and I have no frame of reference.

If anyone wants to have the whole story – you can Private Message me.

 

[mogok]

Hello,
Well I dont know who is PGS or what is PGS, I'm not doing any apprasail but you are right when you say that there is no worldwide accepted standart to grade sapphires. So appraisals usually give you a report based on their experience of the stones and of the trade... It is an expert opinion that has its own limitations as an expert is not god even if he is very good. While few years ago I was a tour guide in Asia: I used to say when somebody was complaining about some mistakes from my side or an other person: Everybody make mistakes, I personally did some and I will do more... This is not really the thing that matters in fact: The question is how you deal with your mistakes?
Well that's the thing I just wanted to say.

 

[bar01]

Thanks Mogok,

Glad to see you back,

PGS is a US based small, but locally known, lab/appraisal in Chicago and Los Angeles. They are the only appraiser listed by PS in Illinois.

They did not “make a mistake” as far as I know.

I received a Private Message encouraging me to post the whole story. I guess I am not the only one who was not satisfied with them. So let me try to summarize my major issues as a consumer.

I was promised on the phone that they would provide an opinion of origin in the report. They did not provide this. I am sure some people will debate the significance of origin or the ability to accurately determine origin – but PGS said they could/would do this for me when I called and explained that this was an untreated stone. It may seem unimportant to some – but I wanted this “expert opinion of probable of origin” on the formal report. Now I am going to have to pay someone else to do this (AGTA or AGL).

Their certification report (format and content) needs improvement

Their (PGS) color grading system is poorly explained and presented - and not ranked. I have seen GIA style and AGL style reports. Of course GIA/AGL use different grading systems – but – when you read an GIA style or AGL report it easy for a consumer like me to read these reports and to understand the relative “ranking” or explanation of the different numbers and classifications given. Example - is a “16” fair - good – excellent – or exceptional?

I asked for the report to contain a “real retail" value of the Sapphire. What I got was an overinflated “insurance replacement value” which was 2.5 times the “real” price of the Sapphire. That is not helpful to me or my insurance company.

I guess what I am saying is that I would not use them again. In my humble opinion as a consumer I feel there are better labs/reports/appraisals to get for Sapphires.

 

[Richard Sherwood]

Bummer, Bar. I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience.

I was looking forward to seeing your sapphire. Too bad the timing didn't work out.

Congratulations on your purchase though. It certainly seemed like you did your homework, and I'm sure the stone is gorgeous.

 

[bar01]

Hey Richard,

I know I am little bummed out too. That will teach you to take vacations! Stay in the lab!

The dealer selling me the stone has been wonderfull - and has offered to pay for a AGTA report at no cost to me. I may "toss on" an extra $100 (or so) and have AGTA include that origin determination.

But don't give up hope on not seeing that Sapphire - once I have assembled the entire ring - Sapphire, Diamonds, and setting - I will still need an insurance appriasal on the whole thing! So you will probably get a chance to see the Sapphire after all (it is really beautiful!).


PS - I posted a some interesting information to your informative Colored Stone Grading Post under Guerilla Gemology.

 

[cflutist]

Bar01, do you mind posting a picture of your sapphire. Unheated stones are rare and I (and probably others here) would love to see it.

 

[bar01]

cflutist,

Yes - I will try to do this!

It is a stunning little round 1.27 ct Sapphire. I have been to many jewlery stores in Chicago (Including Tiffanys and Cartier) and it ranks among the best I have seen (not to mention it is untreated).

You know it is so hard to get a decent photo of fine colored stones. In fact the PGS report photo was just plain awful - and just from the top (no side or bottom).

Also the site I bought it from (Cherrypicked.com) also has a photo - but it does not do it justice either. About Cherrypicked.com let me say I have been very pleased with the experience in evaluating/buying from Richard Orbach over there.

I will defintely post a picture of the entire ring when fishished.