Appraisal Advice, Please

[johnsmccoy]

Curious how much I should expect to pay for a very basic diamond appraisal. Don't need anything in writing, and I won't be using the appraisal for insurance purposes or any reason other than verifying that my internet purchase is what it claims to be. I guess I'd be curious to get an opinion on value, but what I'm really looking for is just an independent expert's assessment that the stone is a __ color, with __ clarity. The diamond is a ~3.5ct round brilliant, if that makes a difference in terms of the cost of this type of appraisal.

Also, while we're on the topic, can anybody recommend a reputable and trustworthy appraiser in or near the Beverly Hills / Century City area?

All advice and recommendations greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[webdiva]

A full appraisal is $75 at Patrick Davis - in Culver City. High recommended on PS.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Does the stone have a GIA grading report? If so, I would think you really only need someone to verify that the stone is as represented in the report. Remember that appraisals are somewhat subjective, and the grading report is the official statement on the stone's specs.

 

[johnsmccoy]

Does the stone have a GIA grading report? If so, I would think you really only need someone to verify that the stone is as represented in the report. Remember that appraisals are somewhat subjective, and the grading report is the official statement on the stone's specs.

The diamond is AGS graded, and yes, all I want is independent verification that its specs are as they are represented in the AGS report.

Along these same lines, should I tell the appraiser how the stone has been graded by AGS (or show him the report) before he examines it? My inclination would be not to share this info because it could impact how even the most well-intentioned professional might view the stone, and I'm looking for a completely unbiased/uninfluenced assessment.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Well, what are you going to do if he thinks it is a color grade lower?

 

[denverappraiser]

Do I correctly understand that you want it verified that it’s the correct stone for the AGS report? How can your appraiser possibly do that without looking at the report? I ask because that’s what you asked for in your first post. Later you seem to want to know if his/her independent grading is identical to AGSL’s. That’s a completely different question. You want them to grade it in every detail, answer whatever questions you may have and THEN go over the sellers supplied documents with you and go over it with you again if there are any discrepancies, specifically discussing the margins for error and what the issues are on each datapoint. Does that sum it up? I can’t speak for other appraisers but most charge by the hour and what you’re asking here would cost MORE than a typical insurance type appraisal, not less. Possibly quite a bit more. Whether or not there’s a written report provided at the end has very little to do with it although most will throw one in for 'free' since they've already done the work.

FWIW, I decline to do 'simple' stone matching jobs like you're thinking you want. They're nver that simple and if I have to spend my time doing the job that's required, I want to get paid for it. I don't do things half way.

 

[oldminer]

Denverappraiser has really told you what typically occurs when a client only wants a partial bit of a real appraisal. I diifer in that I'll do any part someone wants, so long as I get the minimum fee I charge and that any time in excess of that minimum is part of the fee the client agrees to pay. This is NOT a way of soliciting work from you as I am about as far away from California as one can get. What you are asking for is not unusual, but highly impractical. Do the job right one time and it is all done. That would be a better solution. If someone out there will do the job for $75 properly, that is a real bargain, Terry Davis is a good guy, so that may be a great help for you.

It is truly rare that a client has the willpower to end the process of gaining knowledge once they become involved in the appraisal undertaking. Most clients do come to the realization that they want to know all they can while the stone is new and the knowledge is of greater apparent value than they thought it was going to be.

Of course, if an appraiser really was to charge more for a partial job, I'd just let them do the entire job and then have them fill me in on any facts you had left in question. No doubt Denverappraiser and all our other appraisers would be glad to make the attempt to let you know everything you require without a change in the fee.

We don't need to see diamond grading reports in advance of grading a diamond, but I do prefer to eventually compare the report to my own opinion, especially on a mounted diamond. There are variations in grading between GIA and AGSL, so knowing the diamond was grading by lab X or lab Y is useful for the appraiser to know up front. It isn't essential to know it, but "useful" .

You also may find that you can save some money by requesting the appraiser to do a "Qualitative Report" on the diamond. This will be a detailed report without a calculated value. Some appraisers will charge you less for such work, some might not, and some won't have any idea what you are asking for. Stay away from the last group entirely. It will make a good test in advance to see if an appraiser even knows what you want because if they don't, you will likely be wasting your time and money going to see them for advice. Might be a fun thing to do just to test out who knows what you are talking about..... Good Luck!

 

[Texas Leaguer]

The responses you received from two top professionals in the field should answer your questions. It should also be aparent that if you were to hire one of these gentlemen for your consultation, you would get a thorough and detailed evaluation for your money.

I just thought I would add a couple of thoughts from my experience, not as an appraiser but as a merchant. I often see consumers who prefer to withold available information from appraisers thinking that this will lead to a more objective analysysis. I do not think that serves the consumer's interest. Because of inevitable elements of subjectivity, and the fact that most appraisers do not have the same level of technological support or the luxury of having other graders to confer with as the major labs do, there is at least some dissagreement with details in most cases. This can lead to unnecessary concern and extra time and expense in getting the result that is really core to the consumer's need.

My advice is always to pick a qualified and ethical appraiser and be transparent about what you know and what you wish to achieve. You will both save time and have a more productive interaction.

Good luck!