appraisal before custom setting or no ?

[cecily]

I eventually found a nice stone I like on James Allen, J SI2, completely eyeclean excellent GIA cut, 2.01ct for a decent price. I loved the Vatche Swan ,but JA does not carry Vatche, so they offered to make a custom copy of the Locke solitaire that I found on other forums and that is absolutely beuatiful. Should I have the stone sent to appraiser before setting begins ? Or can I wait until they ship ring and then take it to appraiser here ? How does return policy work for a set diamond ? Does anyone ever had a bad/good experience with appraisal post setting ? Please help, this whole process is so new to me.

 

[sera]

I'm having mine appraised after the custom setting; however I had my diamond first, so there wasn't the risk of deciding I wouldn't want the diamond after it was set.

I guess it's easy enough to pop a diamond out of a setting, but if it's a custom setting it's made for that diamond. If you changed your mind about the diamond, you would have to find another to fit the setting. But if you're having a pre-setting appraisal, you'll need a post-setting appraisal as well, won't you?

The appraisal value I had from GOG was enough info to get insurance, so I wasn't in a rush to get it appriased.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

No one has really been able to duplicate that Lockes setting, including Lockes, so I would be asking if they will take it back if you don''t like the end result. I''d probably recommend looking at Marak Morrell''s Flame and Torchiere settings which are more of a sure thing. I don''t see any reason to send it to an appraider before setting as long as James Allen is setting it. I assume they will take responsibility for the stone if they damage it during setting. I''d have the whole think appraised after setting since that would be needed for your insurance.

 

[DiamondExpert]

The independent appraisers my clients work with perfer (strongly) seeing the loose stone before, and after, it''s set if possible.

I like this idea also...much more accurate/complete data.

 

[clop]

Hi Cecily, sorry I don''t have anything to add to this post - Just wanted to say thank you for starting it! I hope to have a diamond soon, and was wondering the same thing. Your setting choices are quite lovely, good luck on the process. Can''t wait to see the finished ring!

 

[cecily]

Thank you all for advice. Diamondseeker, I looked at Mark Morrell''s site, it is gorgeous but he won''t use yellow gold for band (I want platinum head and yellow band) and I really need the metal to match my other jewelry. But now I am worried, so I will call JA first thing tomorrow and get clarification on custom setting policy first just to make sure i do not end up with a ring I do not like. If anyone had good/bad experience with JA custom setting, please let me know !!!!!