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Appraisal - No grading report is issued on mounted diamonds.

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Abby2013

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 24, 2013
Messages
16
Hello,

I would like to take my engagement ring that I bought from the internet to be appraised.

Here is what I found on the website:

Diamonds that are set into mountings can only be appraised. No grading report is issued on mounted diamonds. We strongly recommend newly purchased diamonds and precious gemstones be graded and examined BEFORE they are set into mountings.

My questions are:

1) When you have a mounted diamond, is it normal that most of gem appraisers will not issue the grading report?
2) What do I expect from the appraisal since I have mounted diamond? What type of report that I will get? Am I going to get ideal -scope image?

I have never been to the gem appraiser. What things that I should ask or look for?

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Abby
 
Re: Appraisal - No grading report is issued on mounted diamo

Grading reports are always issued only for unset gemstones, including diamonds. There is some gemological work which can be very well done on mounted materials, but certain elements and the degree of accuracy are improved by having the stone unmounted. We just can't get around that simple fact. It is a matter of "convention" that gemologists don't call reports on mounted stones,'Grading Reports". Appraisers and gemologists regularly make appraisals and "report" their opinions, including virtually the same data found on unmounted Grading Reports, but we just tend not to call these finding Grading Reports. It is more about working within the definitions of the trade than not being able to provide the information most likely needed by the client.

If you want the best accuracy on an appraised gemstone, the stone nearly always is more accurately graded unset.
 
Re: Appraisal - No grading report is issued on mounted diamo

It is talking about if you want to send your diamond to GIA for a grading report, they won't grade the diamond in a setting. But people buy rings all the time and have them appraised (without removing the diamond) to get a value on the item for insurance purposes or to see if they paid a fair price.

Did you buy a ring that did not come with a GIA report for the stone? If it has one, you do not need another grading report. You just need an appraisal for insurance purposes or to verify that the stone is the one on the grading report and you can definitely do that without removing the stone.
 
Re: Appraisal - No grading report is issued on mounted diamo

There is certain data, for example weight, that can only be accurately measured on an unmounted stone. Appraisers can and routinely do estimate these things on mounted stones. This estimation includes clarity (because we can’t see well under the prongs) and color (because of reflections that come from the mounting). Most are pretty good at it and it’s sufficient for most purposes but the best data comes from inspecting an unmounted stone. For that reason the labs, including GIA, AGS and others, will only issue a ‘grading report’ on unmounted goods. Whether or not you need this depends on your objectives. For purchases, it’s best rely on a lab grading that was done unmounted. Tiny details can make a remarkably big difference in this business. For insurance an appraisal with mounted grading is almost always sufficient.
 
Re: Appraisal - No grading report is issued on mounted diamo

She was looking at graded stones when she posted previously. So I am pretty sure she is talking about a stone that has already been graded.
 
Re: Appraisal - No grading report is issued on mounted diamo

I'm confused but that happens. An insurance replacement type appraisal, which is the usual type, is to provide documentation to facilitate the replacement in the case of the loss. If there's a credible lab report, the appraiser can and should reference that report in the body of the appraisal. They'll be confirming that it's the correct stone for the paperwork, that it's undamaged, etc. but the lab becomes the primary source for details like the weight, exact dimensions and so on. It's not necessary to issue a grading report on the mounted diamond if you've already done it unmounted.
 
Re: Appraisal - No grading report is issued on mounted diamo

I’m a new member here on Pricescope and I thought I could share my experience. I purchased a diamond and setting online a month ago. The diamond came with a GIA certificate and an appraisal certificate for insurance purposes. I made an appointment with a professionally registered independent appraiser to verify that the laser inscription on the diamond matched etc and to have a separate opinion since I had the opportunity to return or exchange the diamond if I chose. Because the diamond was mounted in a setting, the only thing the appraiser could not do was evaluate the light/optimal performance with their equipment as the diamond must be loose. He could still give me an opinion on light performance based on his many years of experience, and he could give an appraisal on everything else. Because I didn’t need him to formally write up a new appraisal, the appointment only cost me $25.00. A full written appraisal would have been $75.00.This small cost was money very well spent as I learned so much information and was reassured that I had a little beauty of a diamond. And by the way I saved thousands of dollars by buying online :) Hope this helps.
 
Re: Appraisal - No grading report is issued on mounted diamo

Thank you all for your information. Your information is very helpful to me as a new buyer.

@diamondseeker2006 – Yes, I was looking at graded stone that has already been graded. I need an appraisal for insurance purposes and to verify that the stone is the one on the grading report.
 
Re: Appraisal - No grading report is issued on mounted diamo

I'm considering a diamond ring that is at a jeweler. It is "estimated"to be 1.75 G, SI2 (eye clean) . It is not cert'd, and the estimate comes from their in house GG. They have it listed for $15,500, but I haggled my way down to 12,500. I still think it is overpriced.

They refuse to have it sent to GIA because it is in a 90yr old Art Deco setting, and they do not wish to unmount it. WHat are my options? Thanks
 
Re: Appraisal - No grading report is issued on mounted diamo

The choices are simple enough. Take it, or not.

A single grade difference between an SI2 and an I1 typically affects the price by a third or so. In your case, that’s a $4000 question. That’s quite a bit of cheese. Add the possibility of a color difference or a weight calculation discrepancy and it goes up from there. At the very least, have the estimating done by someone who is working for YOU, not them.

I’m not totally insensitive to the problem of maintaining the mount but that’s quite an important topic. How is this stone set?
 
Re: Appraisal - No grading report is issued on mounted diamo

What kind of return policy does this jeweler have, jetmsl?

AGS is now offering Mounted Diamond Evaluation Reports :
https://www.americangemsociety.org/diamond-trade-mounted-diamond-evaluation-report
You yourself cannot submit a jewelry piece (or diamond) to AGS; AGS will only accept items from those in the trade, who have established an account with the lab, which should be no big deal for an established jeweler.

But since AGS won't do its own estimate of a mounted diamond's carat weight, I think you'd be better off seeking to negotiate with the jeweler re a pre-purchase appraisal from a credentialed independent appraiser, of your choice -- or a return with full refund time span long enough to permit you to have that done post-purchase -- and he picks up the tab if the stone "fails." (Probably won't agree to that, but no harm in trying to see if he will stand with his in-house gemologist; maybe he will counter-offer with another price reduction).
 
Re: Appraisal - No grading report is issued on mounted diamo

Thanks Denver- It is set in an art deco solitare. There is a criss cross pattern on the sides leading up to the prongs. Your point about the price difference is what bothers me most. I feel like I don't exactly know what I am paying for.

Molly- thank you for that idea....I will give it some thought and propose that to him
 
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