Question about Independent Appraisal

[mausketeer]

I am thinking it would be wise to have my potential stone looked at by an independent appraiser before the final "go ahead" with it (even though it is from a reputable vendor, I will not be able to see the stone personally before we buy it).

I know an appraiser will be able to verify the dimensions, colour grade, clarity etc. but do they go so far as to give their personal opinion on the stone? The stone we''re looking at is a little on the deep side (it''s a square cushion, 69% depth, 64% table) and even though I lean towards liking fire more than brilliance, I still don''t want a dark or "dead" stone. Would this be something an appraiser would tell me in their review? I mean, if they use an ASET or IS on it (still not familiar with either one of those - haven''t read a lot about them because I won''t be able to see ANY stone in person before we buy it) those do measure for light return so I assume it''s something she/he would include in their assessment? (I will need their opinion on it rather than my own)

Thanks for any info on this guys!

- Jodie -

 

[Regular Guy]

Jodie,

I'll share a couple of thoughts:

- my primary thought...you have a very good question, which I think it is both important to answer, and also, it may be difficult to.

- when identifying an appraiser you might work with, try to ask in advance about those services you know you'll seek from them, so that, at least, you'll have an opportunity to minimize any surprises.
- since you know both aset & IS use is important...consider taking advantage of also using the info about appraisers at the top right under resources...since they can't use these tools if they don't have them, and this info may be pre-specified there
- there are several threads under the several pages of FAQ section here...which may give good advice, too.

Really, though, some of our clearest thinkers and writers about cut are the outspoken vendors listed here, themselves. At a minimum, try to exploit these resources, too.

Best wishes,

 

[John P]

Jodie,

A qualified appraiser with experience and command of his craft will have seen enough diamonds that he or she will rely primarily on visual evaluation, with different measurements and tools to back up/verify the assessment. They will typically be happy to discuss the relative performance qualities, pros and cons.

If you would like ASET to be part of the evaluation you should ask about it specifically. The appraisers who post here typically offer it but many do not. We tend to be extremely technical on this forum.

Ira posted some useful links. Here is another with some qualifying questions you might find useful:
http://journal.pricescope.com/Articles/58/1/%e2%80%9cAppraise-the-Appraiser%e2%80%9d---Help-for-Consumers.aspx

(You may want to maximize your browser window, otherwise Neil Beaty will look an awful lot like Patti Geolat)

 

[mausketeer]

Thanks guys for the extra info. Luckily, the stone is in New York (the boyfriend is in New Jersey, he''s going in to the store next week) so we should have the cream of the crop as far as appraisers go I think, yeah? I had read about David Wolf when I did a few searches on here looking for someone in New York and he was recommended so that was going to be my first choice. I''m not sure how far in advance you need to make the appointment though. Not sure if it''s a possible same-day thing or like, a week later, etc?

Will update thread with more info (if anyone''s interested)

thanks again!

- Jodie -

 

[njseeker]

Hi mausketeer,

I am in the process of buying a diamond and i did exactly what you are doing. I had an appraiser look at the diamond I purchased and advised me on it prior to purchasing (Not to mention getting everyone here on pricescope''s opinion, which was great!).

I am also going through David Wolf to do my appraisal. I have not met him and I have only spoken on the phone with him but he has been extremely nice and I have only heard great things about him. Regarding scheduling I would try to schedule him a week in advance. A couple of days in advance is also probably fine. I think he might even be able to do a same day appointment but I got the feeling that his schedule does fill up and you would be taking a chance by not reserving a time slot.

good luck!

 

[Judah Gutwein]

Mausketeer,

David Wolf is top notch and Ira and John are spot on.

Every appraiser is different. Ultimately, the independent guys usually have the most comprensive tools at their disposal to quantify and qualify the cut precsion and brilliancy of your stone. Part of this, is because that''s all they do for a living. In addition, they are usually incredibly competent and knowledgeable. You can simply ask them what they provide and what they document in their reports. Remember, that the increased specificity of these cut grading etc. metrics applied to your appraisal report, will provide you with additional leverage should you ever need to file a claim for like size, color, clarity and CUT precision.

Best!

 

[mausketeer]

Date: 1/26/2009 11:54:13 AM
Author: Judah Gutwein
Mausketeer,

David Wolf is top notch and Ira and John are spot on.

Every appraiser is different. Ultimately, the independent guys usually have the most comprensive tools at their disposal to quantify and qualify the cut precsion and brilliancy of your stone. Part of this, is because that's all they do for a living. In addition, they are usually incredibly competent and knowledgeable. You can simply ask them what they provide and what they document in their reports. Remember, that the increased specificity of these cut grading etc. metrics applied to your appraisal report, will provide you with additional leverage should you ever need to file a claim for like size, color, clarity and CUT precision.

Best!

Thanks Judah and NJSeeker (you must be in Jersey too! Shout out!)

My boyfriend is not as enamored with this whole "build your own ring" prospect as I am so he's kinda grumbling about having to go into the city more than once (he thought last week that he was just going in to pick it UP this week! I just told them I was going with the stone on Thursday! It's not even DONE yet! Um, no honey, you have to do a BIT more first!)
I never posted all the specs of the stone actually. It's a 1.73 carat cushion. M in colour (I was looking for a brownish stone so no haters on the colour please). VS2 clarity. 6.81 x 6.75 x 4.72mm. L/W ratio 1.01 (SO hard to find a nice square cushion!) Depth 69.9% (forgot about that extra .9%. That JUST took it out of "Very Good" rating with that) Table 64%. VG symmetry. VG polish. Tn/V Thk girdle. Faint fluorescence. No culet.

I have SCOURED this forum looking for stats on cushions and I know that it's one of the cuts that doesn't "go by the numbers". Was basically worried about the light return because it's so deep (I'm going through I.D. Jewelry. Jekutiel says it's a very lively stone but I have to keep in mind that hey, he's trying to make a buck too, right? LOL). I've only seen a couple of rather blurry photos of it so didn't want to go by just those. Should I even post them do you think?

- Jodie -