AGL certificate vs independent appraiser

[DotDot]

Hello, i am wondering about the difference between lab report (GIA, AGL) and independent appraiser.

Why would anyone be going to appraisers if the lab reports are recognized most people? Say someone buying off of LoupeTroop and would like verification...

Sorry for the newbie-ish question. Thanks ahead for the info.

 

[T L]

Hello, i am wondering about the difference between lab report (GIA, AGL) and independent appraiser.

Why would anyone be going to appraisers if the lab reports are recognized most people? Say someone buying off of LoupeTroop and would like verification...

Sorry for the newbie-ish question. Thanks ahead for the info.

AGL, GIA, and other well known reputable labs do not appraise anything. They just provide reports indicating the specifics of the gem in question, like the mineral, is it natural, color, treatment, carat weight, size, and other information if requested.

Appraisals are often done without lab reports and can vary widely. If purchasing an expensive gem, I would get a reputable lab report first, and then have an appraisal done off of that. I highly recommend the AGL prestige report for the most expensive gems.

Not all appraisers are created equal too. Most are only really familiar with diamonds. It takes a specialist in colored gems to properly appraise them.

 

[DotDot]

Thank you. I was only thinking of the verification part. Now I understand.

 

[chrono]

It would depend on the gem. For simple things like garnet, spinel and tourmaline, I don't mind going to a gemmologist to have a simple RI test to verify it is what it is. For stones that are more commonly treated such as corundum, higher end spinel, paraiba tourmaline, and emerald, I prefer to have a lab verify the gem type and treatment.