I've only shipped stones internationally or the vendor has sent me a shipping label. I don't want to use slow registered mail, so which way do you generally ship?
I have shipped thousands of stones in US with USPS insured and have never had one get lost. If the insurance is above $1000, then it becomes more economical to ship registered mail insured.
Just don't fret over the lack of updates you get with USPS.
From my experience, they are never accurate to where the stone actually is normally.
When i shipped mine insured registered mail from MN to WA, it took about 3-4 day's. Also, you can't insure a loose stones more than what the receipt say's or if you get it appraised you can go by that value. I recommend having proof of the the stones worth before shipping.
I am having DK set my peach sapphire in a fairly simple halo design.
Had to give up on the spinel/paraiba design for now- I just couldn't get it to look the way I wanted it so I decided to set something easier first. And I used USPS per everyone's recommendations.