A few years ago I received a 1/2 carat diamond set in a gold ring. It was my grandfather's which he seemed to have no attachment to and it was kind of my "inheritance", if you will. My mother gave me a whole story about the diamond and how it was very valuable (she knew because it was given to her as an engagement ring 30-40 years ago). I didn't buy it so i took it for an appraisal for the insurance (this is in 2009). Guy tells me the stone is beautiful and ring in total is worth $3200 most of which is the diamond. Fast forward two years. I decide it's time to get rid of it. Jeweler tells me he will give me $300. Now, I know there is a difference between wholesale, retail, appraisal etc. but my question is, why such the HUGE difference? Something to the tune of $3K? Doesn't seem right to me. I feel like my appraiser messed up. Should I get this thing sent off for certification to get the most I can out of it, or isn't it going to be worth the 50 bucks to find out it's only worth $300? Or is %10000 really the type of mark-up that is seen wholesale to retail and should I be sticking this thing on ebay for $2-3K? I don't really know that much about diamonds, diamond reports, certifications or the market and I am not sure I want to bother learning. Too much to learn just to find out getting it certified wasn't really worth the cash when I don't really have the interest. Any help is appreciated!
Dan
Dan