For those who have gone custom, how do you know you''re getting the same stone back ?

[Customguy]

Call me paranoid, but I''m about to start a custom ring and I have slight concerns about shipping my stone to somone I''ve never met. The company is very well known and respected on this board, but at the same time has anyone ever wondered if the stone you ship is the one you get back? Is this a common question and concern or am I just being paranoid? Thanks for any info.

 

[decodelighted]

One way you can be sure is to have the stone appraised before you ship it & once again after the ring is finished. Stones have birthmarks & unique qualities than can usually be "verified". Some even have the GIA # inscribed on them. For easy identification.

But, I''d say there''s truly not much of a reason to worry if you are indeed using a well-respected vendor. Accidental swapping is almost unheard of .. and THEIVERY would put a place out of biz soon. Is one stone worth someone''s reputation? Especially when they get stones at a discount themselves & deal with stones all day long everyday. To YOU it''s a big deal .. to them it''s the daily grind. JMHO.

 

[oldminer]

Get a written, detailed receipt from anyone you leave your diamond with. Make a drawing of where the inclusions are. This will assist you in re-identification when you come back to pick it up. A detailed receipt should include depth, width, length, color, clarity, shape, weight, any laser inscription wording, and any surface blemishes, chips, nicks, cavities or pits in the diamond at the time it was left for work.

 

[jewelerman]

The best way to protect youself against switching is to educate yourself on the diamond that you own.First get an appraisal that has a full plotting of your diamond(a plotting is a drawing of the interior of your diamond that records many of the imperfections that the diamond may have)Only accept an appraisal that has a plotting of your diamond.Second get a 10 power loupe and learn how to find and identify a few of the imperfections in your diamonds.Third is to send a copy(a run-off,not the original) of the appraisal with the diamond when custom work is being done and the diamond is out of your care.This sends a message that you know about your diamond and its quality.Make sure that some where on the repair envelope that it is noted that the stone is free of chips or damage when it left your care and ask who will pay for a new diamond if the stone is lost or damaged while in their care(your insurance or the store).Make sure that the diamond is insured before it leaves your hands.The extra efforts are worth it when dealing with your jewelry. I would also work with a jeweler that has worked with people who you know and can reccomend them and that you can see the quality of their work.Good luck with the new ring,and let us see what it looks like.

 

[FireGoddess]

My stone has a girdle inscription.

 

[:)]

Use a loupe to find your ''birthmarks'', if your stone has any fluoro you can use a UV light to check for that too. If you are doing it in person you can map the stone with the person you are handing it over to and map it again together when you get it back. If you don''t go in person, you can send a copy of your grading report with the plot on it to the place you send it and have them confirm it on arrival.

 

[Lynn B]

From our online PS vendors, I would not worry ONE BIT about an intentional swap. An *accidental* swap -- maaaaaaaaaaybe, but even that is unbelievably rare (I would imagine). I have no doubt that many, many safeguards are in place to prevent that sort of thing.

With that in mind, every time my stone is out and back again, I just know by looking at it that it''s mine. I might loupe it just to read the laser inscription, but that is more for fun than any real "validation".

 

[N8-Star]

Get a "Gem Print".. I had one done on the stone I purchased before I sent it off to be mounted. It''s like a fingerprint of your stone... no two are alike.

 

[Sharon101]

I would imagine that in theory more is needed than just you knowing your stone as you would need proof that you indeed sent the stone you claim. So I guess an appraiser sounds like a very good idea.

The jeweller is also opening himself up to risk that someone doesnt pretend to send a diamond that they didnt etc. It probably works both ways with the risk of being taken advantage of.

And I am talking theoretically, as reputable dealers would not take the risk, it would not be worth their while.

 

[marcy]

My diamond has a serial number inscribed on it and trust me I''ve checked it before. I think knowing your diamond and how it looks under a loupe would be a good idea.