Craigslist 1.46 ct stone

[jkj]

How much is something like this worth with absolutely no cert? Basically a 1.46 Round Diamond Solitaire on a band. How much could it be evaluated for? They claim a jeweler offered 2800...

 

[waterlilly]

I'm sure you'll get answers from people that know a lot more than I do...but the basic answer is - it is impossible to know without details about Cut, Clarity and Color. These things effect price significantly. So you have to have it appraised to know it's true value.

Look at pictures of diamonds on a vendor site like WhiteFlash...see what stones of that size in different Cut, Color & Clarity ratings sell for. Take a look at the diamond in person and see how it performs - do NOT buy without an independent appraisal though.

Oh - and know this - you never get a "deal" on a diamond.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/18/2009 12:38:28 PM
Author: waterlilly
I'm sure you'll get answers from people that know a lot more than I do...but the basic answer is - it is impossible to know without details about Cut, Clarity and Color. These things effect price significantly. So you have to have it appraised to know it's true value.

Hi jkj

Waterlily nailed it, no way to tell unfortunately what this diamond is worth or whether the grading is accurate. An independant appraiser would be able to tell you more. Are you thinking of buying this diamond? If so be very cautious and definitely get an independant appraiser involved.

 

[jkj]

Of course I wouldn''t buy it without having it looked at. But any jeweler that looks at it is obviously not going to be the GIA or something. So how much can you even trust their numbers to begin with?

She says this is what a jeweler local to her said...
VS1 - VS2 clarity
JK Color
1.46 Round solitaire

 

[stitch]

I will be leery to buy something like this. The question is how do we know it is real diamond. I have personally seen moissanite (to untrained eyes) tested and passsed as a diamond with a diamond tester. I think all purchases from craiglist are final. If you can ask the seller to meet at an appraiser office, it would be a start.

 

[jkj]

Ok question number 2 is does anyone know a good place to appraise a ring close or in Waycross, GA. I called and asked a couple pawn shops and the guys there said they never give really anything more than 1k for something like that.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/18/2009 1:01:17 PM
Author: jkj
Ok question number 2 is does anyone know a good place to appraise a ring close or in Waycross, GA. I called and asked a couple pawn shops and the guys there said they never give really anything more than 1k for something like that.

There are 3 appraisers in GA, see below, I don't know if they are conveniently located?

GA appraisers

 

[jkj]

Jeez none even close to me.

 

[jkj]

whoa thanks great website!

 

[waterlilly]

Date: 12/18/2009 12:47:18 PM
Author: jkj
Of course I wouldn''t buy it without having it looked at. But any jeweler that looks at it is obviously not going to be the GIA or something. So how much can you even trust their numbers to begin with?


She says this is what a jeweler local to her said...

VS1 - VS2 clarity

JK Color

1.46 Round solitaire

?
I''m guessing you have more info by now, but I''m just checking back in. It doesn''t matter that you look at it before buying - that is not enough. Unless you know how to identify simulated stones, it''s risky. I wouldn''t believe anything anyone said to you (especially someone at a pawn shop) about the stone other than an independent appraiser. Keep your guard way up when buying from a private sale - no return policy and no way to get $ back after the fact. If the person selling knew the clarity and color she would have documentation to back it up. Good luck!! Let us know what you find out!

 

[jkj]

Well I basically told her I wouldn''t even consider it at around that price, and I haven''t heard back from her. Does that mean you wouldn''t trust a jewelry store appraisal?

 

[Trigon]

Have you checked ISA-appraisers.org?

 

[waterlilly]

Date: 12/18/2009 4:51:56 PM
Author: jkj
Well I basically told her I wouldn''t even consider it at around that price, and I haven''t heard back from her. Does that mean you wouldn''t trust a jewelry store appraisal?

Depends - is the person in the jewelry store educated as an appraiser? Just because someone works in a jewelry store doesn''t mean they have a clue about appraising diamonds.

Why did you tell her that? Just curious...if you don''t know any of the specs. The value is literally completely up in the air until you have it appraised. A quality 1.46ct stone could be worth 3x that price, or it could be a poorly cut I3 - "frozen spit" would be the technical term for describing it''s appearance.

If you have a budget in mind, you can make a post here about it and people are great at helping you find a quality stone in that budget.

 

[Dancing Fire]

jkj
take my advise...keep the money in your wallet.

 

[Dreamer_D]

How much is this 2005 car worth? At least, they say it is a 2005.

The person selling it says it is a Honda, maybe has 75k miles. But I don't know, it might be a Daiwoo with 250k miles, the odometer is broken and the decals are gone.

Is the car worth $2800?

Sounds pretty wierd when it isn't about diamond, eh? But it is the EXACT same thing. Without an accurate year, model, and milage, so to speak, you know nothing at all about the value of the diamond.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 12/18/2009 4:51:56 PM
Author: jkj
Well I basically told her I wouldn''t even consider it at around that price, and I haven''t heard back from her. Does that mean you wouldn''t trust a jewelry store appraisal?

Nope. You need an independent appraisal from someone who does not personally sell jewelry and who is hired by you, not the seller.

 

[HVVS]

I have never found any diamond that size on Craigslist in the 5 surrounding major cities, lol. Most of what is sold on the secondhand market or in pawn shops or even chain B&M jewelry stores is not as well cut or as well-pedigreed as the PS diamonds. So, if it''s a big diamond from Kay''s, you probably don''t want it anyway.

 

[swingirl]

I have looked for jewelry on CL and what I have noticed is that most people who sell on CL don''t have very good jewelry in the first place, don''t know what it''s worth, and often times are selling it for way more than it''s worth because they are comparing it to retail.

This isn''t true all the time and there are some nice pieces being sold for decent prices. But it''s difficult to get a "bargain" without good documentation and a third party to confirm.

 

[denverappraiser]

Date: 12/18/2009 12:47:18 PM
Author: jkj
Of course I wouldn't buy it without having it looked at. But any jeweler that looks at it is obviously not going to be the GIA or something. So how much can you even trust their numbers to begin with?


She says this is what a jeweler local to her said...

VS1 - VS2 clarity
JK Color
1.46 Round solitaire

This is the heart of your question. You’ve got a claim from a seller who is defending it with a unattributed claim from an unknown grader of unknown qualifications using unknown methodology and with a stated conflict of interest (the jeweler supposedly bid on it). To say that’s a weak basis for making an expensive decision is an understatement.

The way to protect yourself in a craigslist type of deal is to agree that the deal will be contingent on an independent inspection by a professional hired by YOU. Meet with the seller at the office of the appraiser and get it examined. For local clients the way I do these deals is to meet with both people, do the inspection in the presence of both and then give the diamond back to the seller and send them out to a waiting area outside. I then discuss the grading and valuation in private with the buyer. Everything goes in writing and is signed along with a statement of my qualifications and a statement that I'm not a participant in the deal and have no relationship with either party. If the buyer still wants to make a deal, they go talk to the seller and work out whatever they wish. If a deal is agreed to they come back in and I reinspect the piece to make sure nothing has changed during our private conversation and they do the deal on the spot and under my cameras, usually in cash. This all protects both the buyer and the sellers interests. My fees are paid by the buyer and are the same whether there’s a sale or not.

For out of town clients, it’s a little different. The seller ships the stone by insured mail to me and I evaluate and appraise it on behalf of the buyer. The report goes by email to the buyer. They again make a deal or not as they wish and, if they do, the buyer sends ME the money. When I’ve got both the money and the diamond as well as an agreed bill of sale between the two I send the funds to the seller and the stone to the buyer. If it falls apart for whatever reason I return the stone to the seller and the money to the buyer. All fees are borne by the buyer although they sometimes have an agreement where they split them in the form of allowing a discount on the deal or some such thing.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver