mailing stones?

[gongli]

Hi

I was wondering, whenever I mail out stones, then the postoffice/ups ask what I am mailing when I ask for insurance etc. I was wondering, do you just tell them you are mailing jewelry/sapphire/etc and insuring for $x,000? somehow I'd rather say something like "mineral" or "corundum" or something slightly discreet, so that it's not so obvious that there's expensive jewelry/whatever in the box. but I don't want to misstate anything, since I obviously want the insurance to be applicable. what do you guys say?

Thanks!
-Neal

 

[kenny]

I'm in the US and when I ship diamonds via USPS they don't ask me what it actually is, even when the value I'm insuring it for is very high.
They just ask if it's liquid, hazardous etc.

If you opt to buy their insurance you can claim the item is worth any value up to $25,000.
But if you make a claim for damage or because it never arrives you must present proof that the item was worth what you insured it for, such as a receipt or an appraisal.
They won't just take your word for it.

 

[chrono]

I never devulge what I am shipping although the P.O. is required to ask if the item enclosed is hazardous, fragile and etc. Remember that although you can insure for whatever dollar amount you wish, when a claim is required, the P.O. will only pay the value shown on the receipt or some other solid proof of value.

 

[Michael_E]

If the stone has significant value and you care about it getting to where it's going, then you light want to use USPS Registered mail. The insurance and shipping are less expensive, but it's slower since the item is held in a locked bag or safe, (overnight), on it's entire journey to you.

If you're shipping to a jeweler, you should inquire with them about the possibility of using their insured shipping method. I use an independent insurer who will allow me to use a UPS or FedEx "call tag" in order to pick up a clients stuff at their location and ship it to me. The only requirement is with specific boxing and labeling methods. One benefit of using an independent insurer, (besides insurance through UPS or FedEx), is that they obtain a better shipping rate, making the total cost of shipping lower than for a person making a solitary shipment.

 

[deorwine]

For US mailing you aren't required to tell them anything, although every so often a nosy person asks anyway. Since in that case it's just a nosy person, you could tell them anything (though I usually say "Geological specimen" because a) it's true, and b) so I can see their eyes glaze over -- it's pretty funny).

For international mailing you have to state it for customs. I usually go with "mineral specimen" or something like "corundum specimen" for ruby/sapphire -- something that is true, so you don't get dinged in case they decide to open it up and see what's inside, but that won't scream out "Please steal me!"

 

[bobsiv]

I do the same thing when I ship stones overseas from the US. I almost always say 'mineral specimen' rather than 'loose gem' or 'tourmaline'.

 

[minousbijoux]

I found that USPS, like the other posters, largely doesn't care. Occasionally you get the nosy person and I do the same bulldoze over them with discussion of mineral samples or geological specimen.

Where the problem comes in is with FedEx or Mailboxes Unlimited (or whatever that chain is called) where a combination of policy, them being not sure of what they need to ask and/or downright nosiness gets in the way. In one case, we went toe to toe over this issue (I don't like confrontation over minor mailing matters) and she wouldn't back down. Now I take my business elsewhere. FedEx doesn't insure unmounted stones anyway.

 

[chrono]

I thought it was UPS that does not insure loose stones and Fedex does not provide any insurance whatsoever?

 

[minousbijoux]

TBH, Chrono, I get a different answer every time I go to my post office and I can't retain the information anyway. FWIW, I have had a lot more luck through the PO than FedEx, and have been able to insure stones through the PO.

 

[chrono]

Minousbijoux,
I wonder if you are getting USPS confused with UPS?
USPS (or the P.O.) will insure loose stones or mounted stones/jewellery.
UPS will not insure loose stones but will insure mounted stones/jewellery.
Fedex does not provide insurance. The sender needs to provide a 3rd party insurance.

 

[minousbijoux]

No, I was talking about the USPS. I have never dealt with UPS.