Appraiser advice - Calling mrssalvo & DiamondSeeker!

[Cherokee1979]

Hi all. Thanks to everyone in advance for reading this, and I'd REALLY appreciate anyone's input - particularly so from mrssalvo and DiamondSeeker, if they're available. By means of background, I have purchased, on the secondary market, a matching Ritani Endless Love platinum wedding band and platinum halo ER for a RB. The specs of the RB are as follows: AGS0, E color, .81 carats, VS1. The rings are currently in the office of an independent appraiser. I have not yet seen either of the rings, but I have seen pictures, the AGSL DQD, as well as the purchase/appraisal documents from the B&M from which the set was purchased. I will be speaking to the independent appraiser today, over the phone, in a few hours while he has the rings in front of him so that I can ask him a few questions before he authorizes, with my go-ahead, the completion of the transaction between me and the seller. Although I am quite confident with the legitimacy of the sale after having done my due diligence (including significant correspondence with the seller and the B&M from which the seller purchased the set), I wanted to ask the appraiser just a few questions so as to COMPLETELY "cover my bases."

Accordingly, I have made a list of the following questions for him: (1) Do the inclusions match those listed on the "stone map" of the AGSL DQD? (2) Do both rings bear the markings for "Ritani" and "platinum"? (3) has the RB been clarity enhanced in ANY way? (4) although the RB is set, is the stone clearly a .81 carat (and matching the DQD?)

I would GREATLY appreciate it if any of you could let me know if there is some glaring omission from the above list that you would ask the appraiser. Thanks so much ladies and gents; I really appreciate your advice, as per usual.

 

[mrssalvo]

Just now seeing this! Have you already heard from the appraiser? I think thrpey will most likely provide much of the info you are wanting without yo having to ask, but you've got good questions if the appraiser omitted that info for some reason...

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Hi! I almost missed this but saw it just before it moved to the second page!

All you really need to ask about the diamond is whether they can confirm that it is the stone in the grading report and is it in the condition stated on the grading report. AGS stones cannot be clarity enhanced, so you don't need to worry about that!

As long as the appraiser verifies that the diamond is as represented and the settings are in great condition (and thinks the price you are paying is fair), you should be fine!

Good luck and come back with some pictures!

(MrsS posted while I was typing!)

 

[Cherokee1979]

Hi mrssalvo and DS! Thank you both SO much for your replies. Not to detract from the sound advice offered by any of the other PS veterans, but I TRULY respect both of your opinions above all others. You have both been so kind and I cannot thank you enough for your advice.

Well, I spoke with the independent appraiser yesterday regarding the set and he informs me that everything is good to go! I asked him the questions that I had listed above and he was able to answer all to my satisfaction, most importantly, that none of the melee stones were loose or missing and the slight inclusions in the RB matched the AGSL DQD. Also, he appraised the set at an approx. value of $14,000 which, with the seemingly ubiquitous "appraisal inflation" taken into account, is quite on-point, as I had priced out all of the different components if bought first-hand (i.e., the exact same stone and Ritani rings, which I saw priced-out on WF and Pearlman's sites), and the total came up to $13,000. If this all works out as planned, I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am with the savings offered by the secondary market, if one is willing to do the leg-work and wait things out.

The rings are now traveling to me via insured UPS, and they are slated to arrive here in my office sometime tomorrow. I cannot wait to see them! I told the GF that I will try the rings on her (with her eyes closed, of course ) to determine whether the rings are too tight, which I expect them to be by 1/4 size. I will then ship the rings to Ritani for resizing (from 4.25 to 4.5) using a local Ritani-authorized B&M.

Well, thank you both again for your invaluable advice. I will DEFINITELY keep you in the loop and post pictures on SMTB as soon as I can! I guess now I just have to start my research into the plan for the proposal itself! - something that I have not even begun to address, having put all of my energy into obtaining the rings. I'm sure I'll come up with something though! Take care! Sincerely,

Cherokee

 

[Cherokee1979]

:: bump :: (just so mrssalvo and DS can see reply )

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You are so nice! Thank you for the compliments, but I am sure MrsS would agree that there are many others here that could have helped just as well as we did!

I am delighted for you that everything checked out regarding the rings! You are right that you can really sometimes find a great deal if you are very careful and do it the right way! Ritani is a very fine brand, and she is going to really love the rings!

You know, if the rings are only a little loose, I really wouldn't size them now. Rings are best sized in the summer when fingers are at their biggest due to the heat. I may have said that on the other thread, but it is always best to not size in the winter unless the ring can literally fall off. Even then, you could use sizing beads. I think I might do that anyway if the size difference is only 1/4 size in case she ever needs them larger. Then all you'd have to do is remove the sizing beads! That way you wouldn't risk hurting the pave sizing up and down.

 

[mrssalvo]

I'm so glad everything has worked out!! I think you are wise to let her try them and if they do indeed need to be sized bigger I know Ritani will do a fab job! Please come back with pictures once you propose and she's wearing them!!!

 

[Amys Bling]

Appraiser advice - Calling mrssalvo & DiamondSeeker!

Glad it all worked out!

 

[Cherokee1979]

Thanks for your replies, DS, mrss, and amysbling. Please trust me when I say that any and all compliments to you are WELL deserved. You ladies are amazing and a wealth of knowledge. I wish you all the best, and I will promise to check in on SMTB as soon as I can get some hand shots! With kindest regards,

Cherokee

 

[diamondseeker2006]

We will look forward to the pictures, Cherokee!!!