GCAL

[Marshalls]

Has anyone worked with GCAL, how are their services compared to the other Appraisals, how reputable are they, etc?

I am looking to purchase their services of GCAL Certification and also Appraisal, referenced here:
http://www.diamondid.com/pages/SERVICES/CERTIFICATES/Certificates_CUT_GRADE_GUARANTEED_CERTIFICATE.html

 

[Haven]

If you search for GCAL in the search box that will bring up some threads that discuss this particular service.

Stone-cold makes a commentary you will find interesting in this thread:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/purchase-advise-please.159659/?hilit=GCAL

Are you thinking about sending a stone in? If so, I'd send it to GIA.

 

[Gibson486]

Unfortunately, you will not know until everything is done. Never heard of that lab. For all I know, it could be a bunch of former people from GIA. That said, why take a chance. I'd rather deal with EGL. At least you know would you could potentially get.

 

[mrssalvo]

If you are buying from a reputable vendor like the one's you are in the process of dealing with there is no real reason to send the stone in for additional certifications from various companies. I think having an independent appraisal done to verify the stone is what the vendor says and then be able to have that appraiser view the diamond unset and then again set so they can do a write up of the setting for insurance purposes is really all you need. Personally, I wouldn't spend the money.

 

[Marshalls]

I wanted a light performance evaluation of the stone and most appraisals do not provide such evaluation. However, GCAL can do both an appraisal and a certification that includes light performance analysis. The question is how reputable are they?

 

[denverappraiser]

They've been through some chaos lately that included an acquisition and a divesture by a large public company but, at the end of the day yes, they are a reputable outfit and Mr. Palmeri is a highly capable appraiser and gemologist. Their diamond performance evaluation system is a bit cryptic and you sould make sure you understand it if you are interested it. It is NOT the same as either the GIA or AGS approach to cut grading.

 

[nfowife]

Do you have an ASET of your stone? Can that image and the details of the stone be put on the appraisal?

 

[oldminer]

GCAL is higly accurate and has earned the respect of many people in the trade, but it is not a universally acknowledge authoriuty internationally like the GIA. Their grades are guaranteed unlike most other labs. The light behavior grading they do is indeed cryptic, but it is based on direct measurement of light performance and certainly does have some degree of merit in helping a consumer to choose one stone from another. I would buy a GCAL graded diamond for color and clarity grading at the same price as a GIA graded diamond and with the same degree of confidence. However, I might end up needing a GIA report in order to sell the diamond.