Appraiser Comments

[verticalhorizon]

Any comments on Martin D. Fuller, the NoVA/DC Metro appraiser?

Also, is there any real bene on taking your rock to the appraiser yourself? Will it cost that much more to sit and watch them? Or is it better to send somewhere not local, but highly regarded, where you don't see your rock until mounted and purchased?

Thanks!

 

[Nicrez]

DM, I am never a proponent of trusting someone so implicitly with such an investment and gift, especially without knowing them intimately. That said, would you trust this guy to buy your wife the ring to be the item she wears on her finger everyday for who knows how long? Ahhh!!!




If it's a shaped stone, I would make sure you get to see that, sit there and learn everything you can about it. It's your huge investment and to me, buying a diamond is as personal as buying underwear. Why? It's a gift from YOU to HER, and SHE'LL be wearing it for a long time to come, so make sure you see it and like it. The numbers may be perfect, as we noticed with a stone we had shipped to an appraiser. When we saw the stone, however, it was just NOT what we wanted. Luckily we SAW it.




Round stones, you can get away with much less viewing, because their numbers and tests are so much more accurate and percise to check so many different things on that stone, but even then, those tests, reports and numbers are essential! So, good luck and ALWAYS try to see the stone, or learn everything you possibly can. It's YOUR money!!!

 

[JC]

I would "HIGHLY" recommend Martin Fuller. He's definitely a "PRO". There is no doubt about that. Wheather you go there in person or just send the diamond to him for evaluation feel confident that you will receive excellent service. Good luck.

 

[oldminer]

I give Martin Fuller high marks....No problem. He is a great guy.

In my lab we actually charge less if you come in and watch. It is far easier to cover the issues in person than via email and files. Besides, you then know the diamond you came in with is YOUR DIAMOND. I'd hate to be accused of switching a stone and a client being present helps to assure that sort of accusation won't occur.

We charge more for distant clients not only because of the detailed reports and added time spent coommunicating, but because of the higer degree of responsibility we feel for almost picking a diamond for them, sight unseen by them. It does take extra time and effort.

Say Hello to Marty for me. Tell him to send me my commission for sending you his way....

 

[verticalhorizon]

If I go in-person to an appraiser, I still get a comprehensive report for insurance purposes though, right? What kind of information can I expect to hear about my diamond from an appraiser? Something that troubles me, even besides the numbers, is durability, esp in the SI clarity ranges.

Thanks for the help! Great info!

 

[oldminer]

Expect to either confirm what you already have been told or to discover some sort of discrepancy. How important the discrepancy is will be something you need to rely on your appraiser for advice. I have found tiny issues and major ones. As usual, "it depends".

An appraiser can tell you a little about durability. The appraiser is not clairvoyant and cannot predict if a durable stone will break due to a fall or some other event. If a diamond has an inherent vice, a weakness it was born with, it might be something to discuss or ask about. An SI stone is not likely to have such a problem, but it might. Some insurance companies will deny a claim for damage if they feel inherent vice was to blame. Others don't make an issue of it. Be aware and ask all about it. Get to know your diamond.