Is mailing a ring and diamond risky?

[Emeraldsaremyfavorite]

I have been talking about sending off my setting and diamond to David Klass for quite some time. I just need some minor tweaking. Should I be nervous to mail such an expensive item? I know I can ensure it, but what about when it gets in his hands? Who is responsible if something happens then? It's over 30k so I am very hesitant! TIA!

 

[Rockdiamond]

When consumers are shipping items to a vendor, they should check with the vendor- they will have experience shipping costly items, and hopefully will assist you.

It's not all that complicated, but a small mistake can be very costly, so please be careful

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Hopefully you have insurance on a $30k diamond ring which would cover it for loss or damage under any circumstances. If not, we can tell you some companies that insure jewelry (I'd compare rates and policies with Jeweler's Mutual and Touchstone Insurance.)

When sending a valuable item myself, I use USPS Registered Mail as it is the safest method of sending valuable items for a consumer. You declare the value (which you need to be able to prove in the event of loss, which is extremely unlikely) and the item is insured for that amount. It can take a week or two for the item to get there in some cases, and you only get tracking updates if you send it priority. It doesn't get there any faster that way, but I prefer to get the tracking updates which you do not on regular registered.

The other option is that sometimes a vendor has a shipping account and will send you a shipping label and you just pay their cost. But that often is if you bought the diamond or ring from that vendor. It won't always be offered.

Some people say that they don't insure when shipping due to already having jewelry insurance, but I just always do use Registered Mail because I figure in the unlikely event an item was lost, I'd rather the USPS pay the claim and not have to claim it on my jewelry insurance and have the premiums go up, potentially more than the cost of the registered mail fee.

 

[Emeraldsaremyfavorite]

Thank you so much for the detailed response! No, we don't not have insurance. I have had this diamond for about 4 months and we have been meaning to, just haven't gotten around to it. But we really need too! My husband hates the idea of it because more money and just expects me to be really careful! I will call David too and see what happens when the stone and ring get to him.

 

[yssie]

Ditto David and DS - I'd also recommend contacting David Klass first to see if he has particular suggestions (or might be willing to send you a label).

If he cannot give you a label you have two options:
1. USPS Registered and declared for the full amount. This will be slow, but is known to be very safe, and is not tremendously pricey.
2. FedEx Overnight (or Same Day if available) declared without value. Without a business account FedEx will not insure loose stones or finished jewellery, so you will definitely want to have your ring insured by a third party (and confirm with your insurance company that they will in fact cover it during shipment)

I personally have had horrible luck with USPS (not Registered - the one piece I sent Registered arrived just fine, albeit after several weeks of nail-biting) so the riskier FedEx is my go-to, if I can't deliver/pick up in-person. Your best bet is certainly to ask your vendor for his recommendation!

1. Package the shipment in layers - envelope inside a small box, inside a bigger box, all seams on all boxes taped over...
2. Ask DK whether your stone and setting will be covered whilst he is storing it and working on it
3. Ask your insurance company whether your stone and setting will be covered whilst being worked on (and get explicit answers in writing, either by keeping the exchange in email or sending a followup email to a phone exchange)
4. Require Signature Confirmation and ask DK who will be receiving your package so you can verify the signature (it's probably not him, perhaps an assistant), and request that he email you once it's been opened and someone has confirmed that everything is present as expected


ETA - just saw that you don't have it insured - please do!! It's not just you being really careful unfortunately (of course you would be!) - it's like collision insurance for your car... You've got to account for accidents and other people's idiocy as well. Please don't mail your ring without insurance unless DK agrees to accept liability for it en route and gives you a label - it's just much, much too risky otherwise.

 

[denverappraiser]

I send expensive things by registered mail regularly and have never had a problem. That's not to say I never WILL have a problem but it is the most secure way to go if you're going from a US address and to a US address. That said, most jewelers use 3rd party insurance and ship by FedEx or UPS because it's faster. They can do this if they're recipient as well as the sender so if your vendor has a deal with one of the insurers like www.parcelpro.com,, I would just contact them and let them deal with it.

A not on USPS: They're very picky about the packaging for registered mail. No plastic tape. The entire outside surface needs to be paper or cardboard and paper tape.

 

[Rockdiamond]

We do use ParcelPro, and they are amazing- BUT they don;t handle consumer shipments- you'd need to set up an account ( I just called them)
About Registered Mail- 20 years ago I'd have no qualms whatsoever recommending them.
But today it's truly a different story- for a consumer especially.
Both UPS and FedEx offer up to the minute tracking- USPS Reg Mail does not.
Plus Reg Mail takes a while- FedEx and UPS are overnight.
For both of these reasons, I'd choose UPS or FedEx if a vendor was unwilling to assist.
Which, if you're giving them business, why would they NOT help?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I don't use FedEx or UPS because they won't insure my jewelry. But as Yssie said, you technically could if your jewelry policy covers it when shipping.

But back to the original poster, you cannot send your diamond to a vendor for resetting without insurance. Often they will not cover your stone for damage during resetting if they did not sell the stone. Not to mention, the ring can be stolen or some disaster could occur to your home or you could whack the diamond on something and have it crack. You MUST get insurance before you send the diamond anywhere, regardless of what shipping you choose...unless your husband agrees that he is willing to shell out another $30k to replace it. Believe me, we have seen people have jewelry lost or stolen on these boards, sometimes without insurance and it is very sad.