Appraisal Issues

[Diamond Girl 21]

Hi everyone! My husband bought me a beautiful diamond bracelet for our 30th anniversary. It's 18kt white gold and has 7.5cts of emerald and round brilliant cut diamonds (G-H color and VS clarity). I was studying for my GD diploma at the time, so even though I was not an expert, I felt comfortable with my own assessment of the stones. I pretty much agreed with the information the jeweler provided. We decided to have it appraised by a very reputable GG and I was stunned by the results. The TDW and clarity were way off. He graded the clarity at I2. Not only do I feel sick about possibly being taken advantage of, but I just can't see how he can justify the clarity grade. The stones are eye clean and under my loupe (tripple corrected from GIA), I see pinpoints and needles (nothing dark, large or extreme in number). So, right now I'm torn and not sure how to handle this meeting. Part of me wants to trust in my own opinion and education, but I keep thinking he's an expert. Please let me know your opinion on how to proceed. Thanks.

 

[WillyDiamond]

Can you return it and look elsewhere with the help of the PS community?

If you feel this appraiser is reputable then I am afraid your husband got taken by the jeweler.

I think I would go back to the jewelry store with detailed appraisal in hand and let the jeweler prove it to you.

 

[Diamond Girl 21]

Thanks WillyDiamond. That sounds like a good plan. I appreciate the advice.

 

[denverappraiser]

Sorry it's being difficult.

Start by talking to the appraiser. VS to I2 is a significant difference and there will have to be SOMETHING about the stones that lead to that grade. Asking upfront rules out problems as simple as typographical errors or cleaning. Obviously, if those are issues, get it corrected for free and never use that appraiser again. They should be prepared to defend their grading. Assuming the appraiser stands by their grade, take the report to the seller and see what they a have to say about it.


What they’re LIKELY to say is that the appraiser is an idiot and that they stand by their grade. (Let them take a look for exactly the same reasons that you went to the appraiser first). If there’s still a discrepancy, offer this: YOU choose a new appraiser. Specifically, don’t use their guy/gal. You get to pick. If the new appraisal agrees with that I2, the seller pays the bill for both appraisals, any shipping, and you get a full refund. If they were right, you pay the bill, offer an apology, and go back to first the appraiser to demand a refund.

 

[Diamond Girl 21]

Thank you Denverappraiser! I really appreciate your input.

I'm hoping there was some type of error. He viewed the bracelet, took notes, returned it to me and emailed the appraisal. Prior to looking at the bracelet he was looking at my ring at 30x. Maybe he forgot to change back to 10x. Either way I'll be sure to let you all know how this turns out.

 

[Katya DXB]

I've examined quite a few tennis bracelets of lower ctw than yours and I can definitely see the difference between VS-S and SI-I range even with my naked eye. The SI-I bracelets look way duller. I found a video where I was comparing two items, same color grade, the one on the right is SI-I and the one next to it is VS-S. I couldn't insert the video so I tried to take a few screen shots, even here I think the difference is apparent and it is much more prominent in dynamics. You've got a GD, you'd definitely tell, IMHO. And those are round stones, in emeralds I2 would be much more obvious. I'd go back to the appraiser and ask him for the details the clarity grade. I'd probably also get another appraisal before confronting the jeweler. Good luck!

 

[Diamond Girl 21]

Thank you Katya, I totally agree with you. My diamonds look bright and eye clean, so they definitely don't look I2 to me. I'll definitely ask him to justify the clarity grade before confronting the jeweler. Also, thanks for the pics!

 

[denverappraiser]

I2 will have something significant in approximately every stone. This is not a borderline call or a tiny detail. If it's correct, it's a big deal.

 

[Diamond Girl 21]

That's exactly what I thought, but I'm just not seeing those types of characteristics. If he stands by his original assessment and is proven correct, I may have to ask GIA for a refund.

Thanks for the info.

 

[John P]

We decided to have it appraised by a very reputable GG

Is the GG a full-time independent appraiser, operating from his own office, not engaged in sales of gems or jewelry in any way?

 

[Diamond Girl 21]

As far as I know, he works for the jewelry store (which has a great reputation), but is not part of the sales staff.

 

[rockysalamander]

Were the stones graded by GIA or AGS or were these "store graded"?

 

[Diamond Girl 21]

I was told they were GIA graded.

 

[EvaEvans]

My simple advise - go to other appraiser! Do not complicate, do not worry, and trust YOURSELF!

 

[John P]

I was told they were GIA graded.

You said above <<It's 18kt white gold and has 7.5cts of emerald and round brilliant cut diamonds (G-H color and VS clarity)>>. That criteria reflects a seller's standard. GIA doesn't split color-grades and would stipulate either VS1 or VS2 in each case. If they had been sent to the lab each diamond would be accompanied by a dossier report.

We decided to have it appraised by a very reputable GG and I was stunned by the results. The TDW and clarity were way off. He graded the clarity at I2.

First of all, decisively judging clarity in mounted jewelry is not practical. Second, you said <<As far as I know, he (GG) works for the jewelry store>>. With respect to your GG, someone who works for a competing store is not independent.

I was studying for my GD diploma at the time, so even though I was not an expert, I felt comfortable with my own assessment of the stones. I pretty much agreed with the information the jeweler provided.

That's a good sign. Although I still wonder about you being told the diamonds were GIA graded?

 

[Diamond Girl 21]

My simple advise - go to other appraiser! Do not complicate, do not worry, and trust YOURSELF!

Thank you Eva! I do need to trust myself and getting another appraisal will put my mind at ease.

 

[Diamond Girl 21]

Hi John, you are correct that GIA doesn't split grades and the jeweler did not provide any lab reports. I wasn't terribly concerned because I agreed with their assessment. This was probably foolish on my part.

 

[EvaEvans]

Thank you Eva! I do need to trust myself and getting another appraisal will put my mind at ease.

You are welcome, @Diamond Girl 21 !
I've had similar case, mounted diamond graded by the jeweler as VS2, graded by reputable GG as SI1, and finally graded loose by GIA as VS1 !!!
After 10x loupe observation of this diamond I personally graded it as VS clarity. I was right NOT to trust the GG, but myself.

 

[John P]

Hi John, you are correct that GIA doesn't split grades and the jeweler did not provide any lab reports. I wasn't terribly concerned because I agreed with their assessment. This was probably foolish on my part.

Not foolish at all: Such pieces are frequently assembled with diamonds that were not individually graded. It's not a problem, unless the seller stipulated that they were "GIA graded." That means something concrete, and very different than telling you (for example) "We graded them according to GIA standards."

 

[Diamond Girl 21]

You are welcome, @Diamond Girl 21 !
I've had similar case, mounted diamond graded by the jeweler as VS2, graded by reputable GG as SI1, and finally graded loose by GIA as VS1 !!!
After 10x loupe observation of this diamond I personally graded it as VS clarity. I was right NOT to trust the GG, but myself.

Oh wow!!! It's awesome that you were right!

 

[Diamond Girl 21]

Not foolish at all: Such pieces are frequently assembled with diamonds that were not individually graded. It's not a problem, unless the seller stipulated that they were "GIA graded." That means something concrete, and very different than telling you (for example) "We graded them according to GIA standards."

You're right John. I should have called them on it, but I didn't....live and learn.

 

[Diamond Girl 21]

Thank you all so very much for all of your help, suggestions and encouragement. I just got back from meeting with the GG. I told him I was concerned that his assessment didn't agree with my original paperwork (which I didn't show him). He took another look at the bracelet, looked at his notes and apologized. Apparently he simply made a mistake. All the stones should have been graded VS. Not only was I relieved about the quality of diamonds, but happy that my assessment was correct. Shout out to Eva for encouraging me to trust myself.

 

[ringo865]

Yay. That certainly was a huge discrepancy. Glad they reconsidered. Enjoy!

 

[Diamond Girl 21]

Yes it was! Apparently he read his notes incorrectly. He apologized profusely, but I don't think I'll be going back. As John recommended, I'll be sure to use an independent appraiser next time. Thanks Ringo!