Please walk me through the process of getting an AGL report

[princessandthepear]

Hi,
I could do with a lot of advice and guidance. I have some gems that I would like to send off to get reports. They are a spinel, a ruby and a cuprian tourmaline. I would like to receive briefs for the ruby and spinel and an origin report for the tourmaline. Should I have insurance on the gems prior to shipping? If so, then who would you recommend? Do I call and fill out the submission forms? How many copies of the forms do I need to make? What extra tests or costs may be associated with the origin report? Which shipping method do you recommend? Are there any common sense(I seem to be sorely lacking in this area or I would be buying lithium futures instead of gems!) suggestions or tips to make the process less stressful that you can give me? The purpose for the reports is to make the gems easier for me to value and sell if I do not get around to setting them.
Thank you for your help and guidance in this process.

 

[SparkliesLuver]

Hi @princessandthepear! I've sent many things to AGL so I'll try my best to help based on my experience. If it were me, I'd send each stone separately via USPS Priority Mail or all three together via Registered mail. I've never insured anything via USPS because they don't cover loose stones. If you're wanting to add insurance, I'd go with FedEx and declare the value - it'll be very expensive - or Registered mail like I mentioned above.

There's no need to call. Just print the forms online (from their site) and fill them out entirely. One copy per stone is sufficient. The prices for each report are online so there aren't any hidden fees or such, if I'm understanding one of your questions correctly. The price they list is what they charge. However, keep in mind they ONLY do overnight shipping for returning them to you and it's $25+. I'm not sure if they'd wait until all the stones are done and send them together or send them back as they're finished. You could probably note your preference on each submission form, if you have one.

I think I've answered all your questions. As for common sense, just package stuff really well. And I usually wait until Tuesday to mail packages. Sounds weird but I don't like stuff sitting over the weekend and for some reason (in my head), I feel like Monday's are crazy and I don't want stuff to get lost. haha Yes, I know I'm weird, but it makes me feel better. Mind you, 99% of the time I send stuff via USPS Priority Mail.

 

[chrono]

USPS will cover loose stones. UPS won’t. I use Registered USPS, which is tracked every step of the way with signature. Priority is quicker but the insurance value is generally too low for the stones I send.

AGL is easy to deal with. No hidden fees and simply follow their instructions.

I ship on Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning. I always try to avoid having my package sit in the Post Office over the weekend where possible.

 

[AGBF]

Hi, princessandthepear-

I do not have anything else to add to what the posters above have written. I just wanted to wish you good luck. I was happy to have had the one stone I had examined certified by AGL.

Deb/AGBF

 

[SparkliesLuver]

USPS will cover loose stones. UPS won’t. I use Registered USPS, which is tracked every step of the way with signature. Priority is quicker but the insurance value is generally too low for the stones I send.

Chrono, do you know if that's a recent change? I asked one of the workers awhile ago and they said otherwise (hence my reply above). I apologize for giving the wrong information!

 

[chrono]

Not that I’m aware of. Even their website states that they will cover loose stones as in jewellery (complete pieces), gems (loose stones), and precious metals.

https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/503.htm#ep1238627

 

[mastercutgems]

Not that I’m aware of. Even their website states that they will cover loose stones as in jewellery (complete pieces), gems (loose stones), and precious metals.

https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/503.htm#ep1238627

Sadly USPS will not insure or pay off with international shipments on loose gems or jewelry, gold, or silver; we have to use parcel pro which in turn uses FEDEX... Also just for informational purposes; USPS will only pay you what you paid for the item and not for what you have it insured for. So do not waste the extra money on insuring for worth but just your cost and you will have to prove with receipts... Yes it is that way as i along with over 20 other vendors with stones, precious metals, etc. are dealing with this now. It is NOT what it used to be like even 5 years ago.

IF I have to send very costly gems I usually use FEDEX with parcel pro; or as Chrono suggested USPS registered but only for what I paid as that is all I will get and i will have to jump through the hoops to get that; been there done that on more than one occasion as we send out over 2000 shipments per year in the USA and International shipments.
I send over 200 stones to AGL per year and they are very good at what they do and very kind and professional. GIA for diamonds and AGL for colored gems. That is what I do and it has worked well for me for over 15 years.

Most respectfully;

Dana Reynolds
ASG Certified Supreme Master Gem Cutter
#96CGE42

 

[chrono]

Which is why I only buy stones from International vendors that will assist with return shipment (US office or will provide Fedex number). All internal US returns are USPS registered. This is why I cautioned International return shipment is a strong consideration in the other thread.

 

[SparkliesLuver]

Not that I’m aware of. Even their website states that they will cover loose stones as in jewellery (complete pieces), gems (loose stones), and precious metals.

https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/503.htm#ep1238627

Thank you. Ah, okay; yes, that's for Registered mail. But if you just send stuff through their "regular services," like Priority Mail, I don't believe loose stones are covered. You can pay for extra insurance but it's pointless.

ETA for the OP: If you do send a package via Registered mail, it is required to be packaged a bit differently. So you might want to stop by a post office and ask about that.

 

[MollyMalone]

Thank you. Ah, okay; yes, that's for Registered mail. But if you just send stuff through their "regular services," like Priority Mail, I don't believe loose stones are covered. You can pay for extra insurance but it's pointless.
* * * .

Loose stones are not excluded from the insurance coverage available when using Priority Mail for deliveries within the U.S. See section 4.3.2 of the Postal Explorer link chrono provided:
https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/503.htm#ep1063624

But if you use Priority Mail, insurance coverage is capped at $5,000; the max for domestic Registered Mail is now $50,000. Also, when you use Registered Mail, you must declare "full value," and the rate you are quoted includes the insurance for that declared value. In other words, insurance is not optional for Registered Mail; it's a component of the service.
https://www.usps.com/ship/insurance-extra-services.htm?

On the few occasions, I've sent a stone or jewelry piece I value, I double-boxed the item, used Registered Mail and asked for proof of recipient signature; that's what Jewelers Mutual has long recommended : - )
https://cms8.jewelersmutual.com/Jew...the-safe-way-to-ship-jewelry-poster-72013.pdf
Ask your PO if you can put the three smaller boxes into one outer box & declare a total value for the 3 items.

 

[MollyMalone]

P.S. I have no idea what you paid for the ruby and how it was described by the vendor who sold it to you, but perhaps you'd consider asking AGL to contact you after they've done the Gem Brief analysis? Depending on the Gem Brief results, you might decide to spring for a first-level (Identification & Enhancement) Prestige Report, which would give you more, and more particularized info, re treatment.

And here's a thread from several years ago you might find helpful & reassuring. Sadly, I don't think any Post Office nowadays has the matte, brown paper tape to give -- or sell -- you, but my neighborhood hardware store carries it or you can order it from, e.g., OfficeMax.
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/how-to-get-an-agl-certificate.189205/

 

[Miki Moto]

You can send via USPS Registered Mail. Ironically I just sent an emerald to them this afternoon.

I would suggest you request the Prestige Origin report. That will give you country of origin and also enhancements which I would want to know for the ruby as country matters more for a ruby (e.g. Burma vs. Mozambique).

For Registered Mail, if you have not used this before, you need to use an opaque tape, it cannot be clear tape. I took my little box with the emerald and AGL paper inside to the post office. I did not seal it and asked the post office to give me tape to use. It works great. No hassle at all.

Personally, I would do each stone separate (assuming each stone is worth a decent amount which I am assuming it is since you are spending the money to send it to AGL). My rationale is... in case USPS loses the box, you only lose one stone and not all. Yes, you are insured and you will get your money back, but to me, I want my stone as it was hard to find! .

Good luck.

 

[Miki Moto]

And by the way, I want to clarify... while I am still always a little worried when I send a valuable item via USPS, I have never had any issues. It is quite secure and everytime your package makes a stop, someone signs off on it and it also spends the night in a locked safe. That is also why the transit time take a little longer.

 

[MollyMalone]

* * * Personally, I would do each stone separate (assuming each stone is worth a decent amount which I am assuming it is since you are spending the money to send it to AGL). My rationale is... in case USPS loses the box, you only lose one stone and not all. Yes, you are insured and you will get your money back, but to me, I want my stone as it was hard to find! .
Good luck.

Excellent point!

 

[T L]

You can contact AGL as well and ask them what they prefer. They're very helpful over the phone.

 

[princessandthepear]

Thank you everyone for all the helpful responses. I did not know to use opaque shipping tape or the cap on insurance for USPS. It looks like it will definitely be three separate boxes. I have only sent one package registered mail and while it is secure the tracking feature was not as up to date as when I send priority mail. In fact the package disappeared for several days.

 

[Miki Moto]

As FYI, when I spoke to AGL on Tuesday, 3/6, they said they were backed up and there was about a three week wait before they could return the emerald to me (once they received it).

I am also awaiting the return of my stone too!

Good luck to you!