Online vendor sending diamond to appraiser? (also, recommendation for an appraiser NJ/PA)

Dave Atlas is top notch and he's based out of PA..

More information is avalable in the appraisers section of this forum..

I have done this. You need to make an appointment with the appraiser and tell him/her what you are trying to do (evaluate for purchase). You will pay the appraiser for their time/efforts. It probably depends on the appraiser how they approach it. They may just do a standard appraisal or may have some sort of pre-process to help with the evaluation. I would think that if you decided to not buy it, there wouldn't be any need for the reports they create, so maybe they would charge an hourly fee or something. The vendor will not allow the appraiser to release the stone until you have accepted and paid for it, so you can look, but not take it with you . It is basically in their care.

If you decide to purchase it then they can return it to the vendor for setting or help arrange to have it set by someone local whom they work with, once it is released from the vendor. They will typically then update the final appraisal report for the finished product so you can use it for insurance if you need that.

Bottom line -- sort out the details with the appraiser you choose, but this is the general approach.

Thank you everyone!