Steps to re-sizing an ungraded diamond ring

[mybeauty]

I have a family ring that I would like to have re-sized, but I'm not sure where or how to begin. I do not have a GIA report or appraisal on the ring and although I assume one was done way back when, I cannot locate it. The ring is a diamond solitaire with a single baguette on each side. Since I know the diamond is valuable, I'm not comfortable just dropping it off somewhere and hoping I get the same diamond back. So, how do I protect my diamond/ring, have it re-sized and get it appraised for insurance? Do I have the the stone removed from the setting, send it to GIA for a report, and then have it re-set, re-sized and appraised after I have the report in hand? Not sure how to proceed and protect my family heirloom.

Also,
- Do I need a GIA report before I can get an appraisal for insurance purposes?
- Is the GIA the best lab to send my diamond?
- Should I have the diamond laser inscripted? What are the pros and cons to this?
- Are there different types of appraisers? What kind do I need?
- Should I have the two baguettes removed on the sides of the solitaire and sent to GIA as well?

Any advice is appreciated.
Thank you!!

 

[LibbyLA]

You can get an appraisal without having a GIA report. The appraisal will likely suffice for insurance purposes. The appraiser will be able to advise you whether you ought to send it to GIA for grading. If you aren't planning to sell it, having it graded may not be worth it.

As for a jeweler swapping out your diamond, that's highly unlikely as long as you choose a reputable jeweler. They can't afford to sully their reputation by exchanging diamonds.

 

[mybeauty]

HELP: What are Steps to re-sizing an ungraded diamond ring

Hi LibbyLA

Thanks for your reply!
I've read quite a bit about differing appraisals and how "inexpensive" GIA reports are. With a high value diamond, doesn't a GIA report offer some basic protection when servicing the ring down the line? Having a high value ring with no way to identify it isn't very comforting. Or does an appraisal offering enough identifying information to guarantee my diamond is my diamond? Although I have no intentions of selling the ring and am sure it will stay in the family for many generations, isn't this even more reason to have a GIA report done? Don't you get a more accurate appraisal with a GIA report?

Thanks again.

 

[LibbyLA]

Define "high value." To some people, that's $5000, to others, it's $500,000.

The GIA report does tell you what you have, but it doesn't give you a value. A good appraiser will also be able to tell you what you have. The appraiser can help you decide whether it's worth getting a GIA report. In order to send it to GIA, you will have to have the diamond removed from the setting. Do you want to do that? If you decide that you do want to send it to GIA, you will still want an appraisal first because you will want to insure it before sending it off.

liz

 

[mybeauty]

From what I've been told informally from various jewelers, I believe the solitaire diamond alone is valued around $60,000.

Because of close proximity, I had actually considered delivering it to GIA in person, but hadn't thought to get it insured before doing this -- which is very smart, thanks! These are the steps I need help figuring out.

I don't mind removing the diamond from the setting, since after 60+ years on one finger I would imagine along with re-sizing, the setting could probably use at least a minor some adjustment.

Will the appraisal be the same before and after the GIA report, or can I expect it to vary?
If I decide to have the appraisal done prior to delivering to GIA, is it advisable to have the diamond removed from the setting or to leave it set in the ring? Do you get a more accurate appraisal with a lose stone versus set? Obviously, I would like an appraisal on the entire ring and not just the one (of 3) diamonds, but I am curious to know if it makes a difference.

Thanks again for your insight. This is a bit confusing to me since all my other jewelry was purchase new and came with appraisals and certificates so I've never had to do this on my own. Just want to be sure I do things properly - not concerned about the costs involved since we're talking about a family heirloom that was my grandmother's and will continue to be passed down for many generations. I'd like to do everything right and once, so when I pass it along to my daughter, she doesn't have to figure this stuff out again.

 

[LibbyLA]

I really wish someone who actually knows a lot about this would chime in.

GIA does NOT appraise. They do not grade diamonds in settings. You would have to have the diamond removed from the setting for GIA to grade it. If you get it graded by GIA, you will have an accurate account of what you have, including clarity, color, measurements, etc.

The appraisal will include the value of the ring and all three diamonds. Get an appraisal from an independent appraiser. There's a list of PS-recommended appraisers somewhere here on PS. The appraiser can tell you whether it makes sense to have the stone graded and can also probably assess the condition of the setting. S/he can also tell you whether there's any damage to the diamond (e.g., chips) and whether it makes sense to have the diamond polished, etc.

Do be careful with "adjustments" to the setting. There's a thread here right now about an older setting (dating to the early 1900s) that was seriously damaged when taken in for repairs.

Just please see an appraiser. There's no way to guess the answers to all your questions. A good appraiser will be able to get the information needed to answer those questions. You can't insure the diamond without an appraisal. The appraisal can probably be adjusted (if necessary) if information available after grading makes a difference in the appraised value.

liz

 

[HopeDream]

Every diamond has birthmarks.

If the jeweller is any good they should be able to sit down with you and look at your stone with a loupe or microscope and plot your inclusions with you.

Both of you sign the inclusion plot and each of you gets a copy.

When you pick up your re-sized ring you and the jeweler will look at the diamond again to see that it matches the inclusion plot.

Easy, and no certificate necesary.

 

[distracts]

I don't think you need to do any of that before resizing. It's extremely unlikely the jeweler will swap your stone. A 60k stone isn't worth them losing their entire business over if you find out. Just have them show you the inclusions under a microscope or loupe and make an inclusion plot, then you can do that again when you pick it up.