Do I need a GIA certificate from a respectable jeweler?

[tkm629]

Hello,

I have put a deposit down on a diamond after working with a well-respected jeweler to design the ring. The jeweler is located in Chicago and has been around for over 100 years as an estate buyer and wholesale jeweler with buying offices in NY, Chicago and Israel. He said he would give me what amounts to a glorified receipt for insurance purposes. It would come on their letterhead and include the specs of the diamond and ring along with the value. He said this is all I would need for insurance. They offer Jeweler''s Mutual insurance, but I''m also debating getting a rider to a renter''s policy.

I trust the jeweler but I still need to ask whether I should get a GIA certificate for the diamond? I am only recently educated on what to look for when buying, thanks to sites like this one, is reputation enough or do I need to get an independent appraisal?

Thanks.

 

[peridot83]

If the diamond has not been certified by an independent lab (GIA, AGS, EGL etc.), I would defiintely get it appraised. You don''t have to send it into the GIA labs for grading, but you can search for independent appraisers under resources for your own peace of mind before buying. Even if they are a reputable jeweler, this does not mean grading diamonds is a specialty.

If it is already certified, just not by GIA or AGS, it''s up to you whether you want to get it appraised or not. If it''s EGL just know it''s probably a few grades off on the color, and maybe a grade off in the clarity.

 

[brooklyngirl]

If I were you, I would definitely get that stone to an independent appraiser ASAP (prior to setting it). It''s great that you''re dealing with a reputable jeweler, but that''s no excuse not to make sure that you''re getting exactly what you are expecting.

I''m not sure what value the jeweler appraised your stone to be, but if an independent appraiser assigns it a lower or higher value, your stone will be insured for it''s proper value.

GL!

 

[oldminer]

I have had a great advantage over the years being a part of an old family business where many dealers were inclined to believe what was told to them by me or my father because of a long history of straight dealing. People who didn''t know us directly had often heard we were trustworthy and I''ll admit it feels good. It also leads into a zone of temptation where you know you can get away with a lie upon occasion if you want to risk it.

How can a consumer know for sure? When a person or a firm proclaims "Trust me" my first inclination is to distrust them. I am a trained skeptic, but I have been hurt many times by being a naive customer. Live and learn and all the other stock phrases apply.

An independent valuation is a smart and timely thing to do. Ten years from now would be a little late to find out. Do it and don''t for a minute think it is wrong to be sure and safe. Its your money. Either you will gain a lot of confidence in the seller''s integrity or you will find out they are not to be trusted in spite of their longevity. I''d sure like to hear from you if you ever find out. Best of luck!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Date: 12/19/2007 2:26:42 PM
Author: oldminer
When a person or a firm proclaims ''Trust me'' my first inclination is to distrust them.

Never truer words were spoken.

The only people I ever trust on initial meetings are those who show me the highest degree of trust with very little to base that on themselves.

 

[tkm629]

Thanks for confirming my thoughts on this. I too, would have been suspicious if he had said "trust me," but that wasn''t the case. I trust him based on their reputation but I will be taking the stone to an independent gemologist for an appraisal.