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Appraiser recommendation for antique diamonds in Sydney?

SeekingClarity

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Aug 21, 2016
Messages
134
As noted in a separate thread, an old miner's cut diamond has been passed down to me. I am not sure that I need it certified anymore, but would like to know if anyone can recommend an appraiser. The ring is from 1889, but I'm guessing I'd need to unset it for the full appraisal.

Should I also be looking for a fully independent appraiser? It seems a bit counter-intuitive for a jewelry maker/seller to be doing appraisals too. But perhaps for older diamonds it is a more specialized skill set.

Cheers,
SC
 

ringo865

Ideal_Rock
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Feb 14, 2014
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2,897
Yes to fully independent. While you search for appraisers, please post some picture of your stone. I'm a sucker for old cuts!!
 

SeekingClarity

Shiny_Rock
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Aug 21, 2016
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134
ringo865|1471871157|4068590 said:
Yes to fully independent. While you search for appraisers, please post some picture of your stone. I'm a sucker for old cuts!!

Will try and post a photo tomorrow for you.

The place that Google seems to favor in Sydney is Diamond Certification Laboratory of Australia (http://www.dcla.com.au/). They say that they are an independent certifier and the only internationally recognized certification lab in Aus! I'm not planning on having it certified any longer, but seems like this should be sufficient. Hopefully they can do older cuts as well.
 

SeekingClarity

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Aug 21, 2016
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134
Passed down through several generations. Apologies for the poor quality photo!

1a630a0486ed8988677d58d288c44275.jpg



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misskittycat

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Dec 8, 2012
Messages
1,068
I know there is a jewellery restorer in the Trust building (cnr King and Castlereagh, opposite Chanel. His last name is Wolf but I don't have his details (like first name etc).

http://www.truelocal.com.au/business/g-w-wolfe-pty-ltd/sydney Maybe you could call him and ask?

I find it very hard to get any kind of accurate idea with jewellery stores in Sydney. Some people think my OEC is fake, some have even said to me that OECs aren't graded by colour like MRBs... It's a minefield out there. But perhaps he might be able to help.
 

SeekingClarity

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Aug 21, 2016
Messages
134
misskittycat|1471925127|4068861 said:
I know there is a jewellery restorer in the Trust building (cnr King and Castlereagh, opposite Chanel. His last name is Wolf but I don't have his details (like first name etc).

http://www.truelocal.com.au/business/g-w-wolfe-pty-ltd/sydney Maybe you could call him and ask?

I find it very hard to get any kind of accurate idea with jewellery stores in Sydney. Some people think my OEC is fake, some have even said to me that OECs aren't graded by colour like MRBs... It's a minefield out there. But perhaps he might be able to help.

That is very disconcerting to hear! I'll have to give Wolf a ring, but will take any feedback on a miner's cut with a grain of salt...
 

misskittycat

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Dec 8, 2012
Messages
1,068
There are some people out there who just don't understand old cuts. They aren't as common here as they are elsewhere. There is also the added issue that getting a stone certified or appraised by someone who has stones to sell is hard because that person has a vested interest. They are not independent and may not give you a proper appraisal. I have always bought stones from the US with GIA certification so I can't help with local certification stuff much, unfortunately. But if you do find someone good, then I would be keen to hear!
 

SeekingClarity

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Aug 21, 2016
Messages
134
misskittycat|1472003991|4069288 said:
There are some people out there who just don't understand old cuts. They aren't as common here as they are elsewhere. There is also the added issue that getting a stone certified or appraised by someone who has stones to sell is hard because that person has a vested interest. They are not independent and may not give you a proper appraisal. I have always bought stones from the US with GIA certification so I can't help with local certification stuff much, unfortunately. But if you do find someone good, then I would be keen to hear!

Yea, I have a strong preference for an independent lab vs. jeweler. I've tried to ring DCLA but got no answer and sent them an email asking about certifying and appraising miner's cut diamonds, but haven't had any response yet.

I was going to call the Australian Diamond Grading Laboratory as well, but they are based in Queensland and I'm not sure that I'm comfortable mailing the stone without knowing anything about it.

Hopefully DCLA in Sydney comes through with a response!
 

arkieb1

Ideal_Rock
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9,786
If you are after a lab GSL is one of the best in Australia, I think better than the ones here in Brisbane;

http://www.gemstudieslaboratory.com.au/

There should be someone in Sydney who values old cuts, here in Brisbane Ken Penfold and a lady in the city whose name escapes me (I think it's Nola something) does it, down in Melbourne there are a couple of valuers that specialise in old cuts.

I have no idea if they are any good but I googled antique diamond valuers Sydney and came up with these;

http://www.chiltonsantiques.com.au/services/valuation-and-house-calls

http://www.antiquesinsydney.com.au/services.php

https://www.kalmarantiques.com.au/repairs-and-valuations/

http://www.ianabeshouse.com.au/services.html

Beautiful ring btw!!!!
 

SeekingClarity

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Aug 21, 2016
Messages
134
arkieb1|1472019080|4069358 said:
If you are after a lab GSL is one of the best in Australia, I think better than the ones here in Brisbane;

http://www.gemstudieslaboratory.com.au/

There should be someone in Sydney who values old cuts, here in Brisbane Ken Penfold and a lady in the city whose name escapes me (I think it's Nola something) does it, down in Melbourne there are a couple of valuers that specialise in old cuts.

I have no idea if they are any good but I googled antique diamond valuers Sydney and came up with these;

http://www.chiltonsantiques.com.au/services/valuation-and-house-calls

http://www.antiquesinsydney.com.au/services.php

https://www.kalmarantiques.com.au/repairs-and-valuations/

http://www.ianabeshouse.com.au/services.html

Beautiful ring btw!!!!

Thanks! As much as I love the history and story behind the whole piece, the stone itself may end up getting repurposed into a pendant...

I will check on GSL's ability to evaluate a miner's cut, though it doesn't seem like they offer appraisals.
 

shaggy1

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Aug 19, 2016
Messages
146
SeekingClarity said:
Passed down through several generations. Apologies for the poor quality photo!

1a630a0486ed8988677d58d288c44275.jpg



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I love that ring.

I have a large amethyst in a very similar setting that belonged to my great-grandfather. It used to have a giant fake pink sapphire in it, but the stone cracked and was replaced with an amethyst. Yes, he was a bit of a character.
 

SeekingClarity

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Aug 21, 2016
Messages
134
Thanks, shaggy1! The more I read here, the more attached I am getting to the setting. I'm not actually sure whether it belonged to a man or woman originally. I had never thought of wearing the ring myself, though spending time on PS may be changing that...

I spoke with GSL this morning and they confirmed a few points. They can certify a miner's cut stone (has to be unset, as expected) and can also do an appraisal (but only of a full piece of jewelery, not a loose stone). In order for me to get an appraisal, I'd have to unset the stone, get it certified, then have it reset and appraised. This is great news, except that setting the stone is definitely a future project. I will plan on having the stone unset and certified for now, partly out of curiosity, but also to help enable an independent appraisal in the future.
 

shaggy1

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Aug 19, 2016
Messages
146
I hope you don't mind if I crash your thread with a picture of my great-grandfathers ring which is now set with an amethyst. I just find it so interesting that there is another ring so similar.

I hope you're able to get a good appraisal on the lovely stone.

Alas, no one in my family will ever be passing down diamonds. But I will save that for another forum.


3c80a4299600aba3c98047037c90e5f9.jpg
 

SeekingClarity

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Aug 21, 2016
Messages
134
What a beautiful ring, I love the dark purple color of the amethyst! (Makes me think my piece needs a bit of polish!) It's also exciting to see another heirloom piece of such a similar design. Curious to know whether resetting is easy to do, perhaps it would be possible to save and re-use the setting even if I repurpose the diamond.

Do you wear it often? Are your other rings/jewelry also yellow gold and if not, how do you feel about mixing and matching colors?
 

shaggy1

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Aug 19, 2016
Messages
146
SeekingClarity said:
What a beautiful ring, I love the dark purple color of the amethyst! (Makes me think my piece needs a bit of polish!) It's also exciting to see another heirloom piece of such a similar design. Curious to know whether resetting is easy to do, perhaps it would be possible to save and re-use the setting even if I repurpose the diamond.

Do you wear it often? Are your other rings/jewelry also yellow gold and if not, how do you feel about mixing and matching colors?

Thank you. I had the amethyst set, and my bench didn't mention it being a hard set. She did have to add a bit of gold to one or two prongs that had badly worn.

I wear it often, yes. It reminds me of my brother, father and grandfather, who were all named after my GGF.

The ring was purchased in Italy in the 1890s. I know this because my GGF came to the USA in 1901 at age 18 and he already owned the ring.

I mostly wear white gold but I don't mind mixing metals as long as the jewelry styles are similar. I often wear this ring with a white gold tennis bracelet. Or with a pearl bracelet.

I kind of like the artisan style of the setting so I hope you do keep it. I agree that it's not the best showcase for a diamond, though.
 

SeekingClarity

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Aug 21, 2016
Messages
134
That's a wonderful story behind your ring. I can certainly see why wearing it would have sentimental value. Personally, I don't wear any jewelry other than a watch (and one day I'll have a wedding band). It would certainly take some getting used to, but I like the idea of carrying an heirloom with me...


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