I recently took several pieces of jewelry to be appraised by Barbara Nevius of Red Bank, NJ, who is a "PS-approved" appraiser and also known as "The Jewelry Judge". Most of the jewelry I brought consisted of heirloom pieces, and I think Ms. Nevius probably did an adequate job of appraising those. But I also brought her my new 1.94 carat, AGS N Old European Cut diamond (loose), and from her comments and the subsequent appraisal, I don't think Ms. Nevius has very much old cut knowledge.
Firstly, she called it a Transitional (it's not, as per both AGS and the old-cut expert vendor from whom I bought the stone). Then she undervalued the stone, IMO, not seeming to appreciate its exceptional cut quality. As many PS'ers know, the "make" of an old cut stone has everything to do with its value in the marketplace. Ms. Nevius didn't seem too interested when I pointed this out later via email, though she did eventually revise her appraisal upward a bit.
I found that Ms. Nevius was slow to return emails, and never replied at all after I mentioned (in two separate emails) a typo/mistake in the appraisal regarding the number of pearls in my heirloom bracelet.
All in all, I don't think I can recommend Barbara Nevius as an appraiser of old cut diamonds.
Firstly, she called it a Transitional (it's not, as per both AGS and the old-cut expert vendor from whom I bought the stone). Then she undervalued the stone, IMO, not seeming to appreciate its exceptional cut quality. As many PS'ers know, the "make" of an old cut stone has everything to do with its value in the marketplace. Ms. Nevius didn't seem too interested when I pointed this out later via email, though she did eventually revise her appraisal upward a bit.
I found that Ms. Nevius was slow to return emails, and never replied at all after I mentioned (in two separate emails) a typo/mistake in the appraisal regarding the number of pearls in my heirloom bracelet.
All in all, I don't think I can recommend Barbara Nevius as an appraiser of old cut diamonds.