Shipping Gemstones for Grading?

[Dragon28]

I would like to get some of my gemstones the AGL GemBrief Report. It costs $65 for each stone and it has the two things I most want to know: whether the stone is genuine or synthetic and if it is the gemstone the dealer said it was, and if the gemstone had any treatments or enhancements.

What shipping company do you use to ship your gemstones for grading? Do you ship the gems inside plastic gem cases or tiny clear plastic bags? What packaging material to you use, if any, to prevent the cases from moving around in the shipping box?

I'm also a little worried that if I ship them, the gemstones might get lost in the mail. Have you ever had any problems with gemstones being lost in the mail? Either on the way to get graded or when the grading lab return shipped them to you?

 

[Anne111]

Depends a lot where you are shipping from. Since you don't mention it, may we assume you live in the country of we-alone-USA?

 

[Dragon28]

Depends a lot where you are shipping from. Since you don't mention it, may we assume you live in the country of we-alone-USA?

Yes, I live in the US and the gems would be going to the AGL lab in New York City for grading.

 

[suzanne2]

I shipped mine in the USPS Priority box (small) provided by the post office, providing a 2-3 day delivery and signature upon receipt. I believe it is less expensive if you ship only registered mail, which might be slower, but you still get a signature.

I used the plastic gem box and stuck it inside an old bracelet box I had lying around. Anything small and secure would work. I taped that up and put it in the priority box then added some wadded up paper so it wouldn't move around. Then I taped up the priority box with clear tape.
I know it's overkill, but I was worried just like you.
I also had a long talk with the Postmaster about losing mail. She said it's very rare these days...
Finally, you have a shipping choice on the AGL paperwork for your return. I chose USPS Priority and it arrived just fine.
Hope this helps.

 

[Dragon28]

I shipped mine in the USPS Priority box (small) provided by the post office, providing a 2-3 day delivery and signature upon receipt. I believe it is less expensive if you ship only registered mail, which might be slower, but you still get a signature.

I used the plastic gem box and stuck it inside an old bracelet box I had lying around. Anything small and secure would work. I taped that up and put it in the priority box then added some wadded up paper so it wouldn't move around. Then I taped up the priority box with clear tape.
I know it's overkill, but I was worried just like you.
I also had a long talk with the Postmaster about losing mail. She said it's very rare these days...
Finally, you have a shipping choice on the AGL paperwork for your return. I chose USPS Priority and it arrived just fine.
Hope this helps.

Thank you for the information. It does help. I don't have any old boxes so I will need to use a bag or buy a new bracelet box somewhere online.

 

[lilmosun]

I ship like suzanne2 without issues (priority with added insurance); however, if I was shipping something not easily replaceable, my post office recommended registered as it is supposedly the most secure (locked containers with signatures at each point on the route).

I also would ship stones separately. Keep in mind that you can't insure for more than you paid for an item.

I've only had one shipment lost and it wasnt the post office but UPS. Fortunately there was no dispute as UPS noticed the package had been tampered with and held it from delivery. The vendor also bent over backwards and went above and beyond to make me whole.

 

[LoveRed]

I would like to get some of my gemstones the AGL GemBrief Report. It costs $65 for each stone and it has the two things I most want to know: whether the stone is genuine or synthetic and if it is the gemstone the dealer said it was, and if the gemstone had any treatments or enhancements.

What shipping company do you use to ship your gemstones for grading? Do you ship the gems inside plastic gem cases or tiny clear plastic bags? What packaging material to you use, if any, to prevent the cases from moving around in the shipping box?

I'm also a little worried that if I ship them, the gemstones might get lost in the mail. Have you ever had any problems with gemstones being lost in the mail? Either on the way to get graded or when the grading lab return shipped them to you?

I feel same as you, afraid to send stones away.