OK to use IGI for appraisal?

[mypak]

very close to buying a diamond with GIA cert (2.13 ct, E, VS2, excellent cut, etc.)....did a quick search on IGI and people on the board don''t seem to think highly of them

however

that seems to apply to buying diamonds w/ IGI certs...what about if I buy a GIA diamond but just take to them simply for the appraisal part? anyone see any issues with that? they''d be most convenient b/c they''re basically down the street (in the downtown los angeles jewelry mart) from my seller...

thanks as always...

 

[mypak]

Date: 10/16/2006 10:28:41 PM
Author:mypak
very close to buying a diamond with GIA cert (2.13 ct, E, VS2, excellent cut, etc.)....did a quick search on IGI and people on the board don''t seem to think highly of them

however

that seems to apply to buying diamonds w/ IGI certs...what about if I buy a GIA diamond but just take to them simply for the appraisal part? anyone see any issues with that? they''d be most convenient b/c they''re basically down the street (in the downtown los angeles jewelry mart) from my seller...

thanks as always...

actually disregard this post...sounds like Charles Carmona is the guy...had a weird feeling about IGI based on what I''ve read here and even the girl on the phone sounded clueless/unsure of herself which was unsettling to me...

 

[DiamondExpert]

AGS, GIA, PGS

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 10/16/2006 10:28:41 PM
Author:mypak
what about if I buy a GIA diamond but just take to them simply for the appraisal part? anyone see any issues with that? they''d be most convenient b/c they''re basically down the street (in the downtown los angeles jewelry mart) from my seller...

Depending on the equipment in use...I''m not sure your original idea was a bad one.

A few thoughts:

a) a review of a few posts on Carmona don''t seem to show raves
b) Patrick Davis at least includes on his list of tools an idealscope
c) I notice reading the list of appraisers on Pricescope (upper right, under Resources) a possible recent edit? Not only is Carmona not listed there (was he ever?), but also now removed locally in northern Virginia, is Martin Fuller, who I and many used, who...like others still listed here, never responded to Leond''s survey, who I don''t have raves for, but others seem to use him widely, nonetheless. I wonder why these edits?

 

[mypak]

Date: 10/17/2006 2:59:12 AM
Author: Regular Guy

Date: 10/16/2006 10:28:41 PM
Author:mypak
what about if I buy a GIA diamond but just take to them simply for the appraisal part? anyone see any issues with that? they''d be most convenient b/c they''re basically down the street (in the downtown los angeles jewelry mart) from my seller...

Depending on the equipment in use...I''m not sure your original idea was a bad one.

A few thoughts:

a) a review of a few posts on Carmona don''t seem to show raves
b) Patrick Davis at least includes on his list of tools an idealscope
c) I notice reading the list of appraisers on Pricescope (upper right, under Resources) a possible recent edit? Not only is Carmona not listed there (was he ever?), but also now removed locally in northern Virginia, is Martin Fuller, who I and many used, who...like others still listed here, never responded to Leond''s survey, who I don''t have raves for, but others seem to use him widely, nonetheless. I wonder why these edits?

the reviews I''ve seen on him seem fine and they state he does use idealscope...i just want to make sure my diamond matches the gia cert and have them do any other normal analysis....it doesn''t have to be a full blown science project

 

[kenny]

mypak

I live in LA and here's what I did.

I drove down to the GIA in Carlsbad, north of San Diego.
I handed them my stone and the GIA report.
I spent a wonderful day touring north San Diego county.

I picked up my diamond and a laminated letter of verification later that afternoon.
The letter verifies that the diamond is the same one in the report.

Call first to make an appointment.
The fee was $75.
The gemologist also used a microscope to show me a tiny pinpoint in my stone that I was not able to find myself.

GIA also is located in NY for those on the east coast.