Appraiser needed all the time ??

[bebe]

do I need an appraiser if buying from a respected vendor?

when is an appraiser brought in?

 

[Rosa]

Date: 9/4/2008 9:33:29 PM
Author:bebe
do I need an appraiser if buying from a respected vendor?

when is an appraiser brought in?

Hi Bebe,

My husband proposed with a solitaire knowing that I''d like to pick my own setting. He had my e-ring appraised after it was reset to make sure it was the same diamond and that it hadn''t been damaged when reset into the setting I chose, and to make sure it matched the GIA-cert. Also, the appraisal was done by an independent appraiser. We keep it in a safe place, b/c we do have insurance and if anything should ever happen to the ring, the appraisal will be proof of what quality stone and setting we had.

If the purchase is a large one, I generally get jewelry appraised before I buy. (I know "large" is subjective, but figure an independent appraisal will cost you $100 - 300 so figure out if that makes sense for you.) I feel like it is a great investment and gives good peace of mind.

I just posted today (just look under my name for the thread) about getting a bracelet appraised and how the appraisal results were a little surprising to me.

I think even if you buy from a respected vendor, it is worth getting an independent appraisal. In fact, the respected vendors are probably most willing to allow a piece to be sent to an independent appraiser, b/c they know their work is going to show its worth and quality. I''d be wary of anyone who wouldn''t want you to do your due diligence!

Best of luck!

 

[panda08]

We bought our stone from James Allen and had it appraised by an independent appraiser. It wasn''t that we didn''t trust JA, more than we wanted peace of mind and to know that the price we paid was a fair one. We also did it for insurance purposes. It was nice to be able to ask questions and to get an unbiased opinion. I thought it was well worth the $125.

 

[ssharma1121]

I don''t know if you saw my last thread... always get stuff appraised! The diamond in my ring did not match the diamond in my certificate!

 

[bebe]

ah, thanks for all your answers.

It will be a large purchase and I HAVE to know everything is what the cert says.

 

[edl]

I figure for less than 1% of the purchase price it''s well worth the peace of mind.

 

[WinkHPD]

Date: 9/4/2008 9:33:29 PM
Author:bebe
do I need an appraiser if buying from a respected vendor?

when is an appraiser brought in?

As a vendor I can tell you that very few of my clients have an outside appraiser look at their diamonds. Well less than 10%.

I can also tell you that I am never offended when they want to do so, as it only makes sense to me that an online purchaser would want confirmation.

I think it depends on how you feel about it. If you are comfortable with your vendor and have enough knowledge to verify the basics, then you may not want or need one. If you would feel more comfortable with an independant appraiser then by all means use one.

Wink