GIA certificates..... Costs....

[pmptrading]

Hello,
A question about the GIA certificate.....
I am an Australian and I have got all my jewellery valued by an independant valuer. In Australia a valuer needs to be registered and he is liable for his judgement. The prices reflect RETAIL REPLACEMENT PRICE so they are over the top compared to Internet Diamond deals..... But the grading needs to be spot on - give or take 1 grading..... so he can''t say a P1 is a VS stone! But he can judge a stone P1 when some might say it is P2

A work colleque told me he paid A$7000- for an engagement ring for his wife ..... centre stone 0.6 F VS and 2 x 0.25 side stones SI1 G/H. Anyhow he told me he paid an additional A$2000- to get these stones certified..... I assume he means GIA. He told me the stones had to be removed in order to get a GIA ....
Personally I think this is far too $$$$ - to remove a stone should cost max $50-

My questions are as follows:-
1) can a GIA be done after you have purchases the diamond?
2) can they do a GIA with the stone in a ring ? Or does it need to be removed?
3) what does it cost for a GIA?
4) Any Australian contacts who can do a GIA?

Kind regards,

 

[denverappraiser]

1) can a GIA be done after you have purchases the diamond?

GIA will accept work from anyone. Details on how to submit a stone to them are here

2) can they do a GIA with the stone in a ring ? Or does it need to be removed?

GIA will only grade unmounted stones.

3) what does it cost for a GIA?

Here is their fee structure.

4) Any Australian contacts who can do a GIA?

GIA currently only does work at their lab in California and the lab in New York but I'm told they have one under construction in South Africa and are planning another in Surat India. There are lots of GIA graduates but only two GIA labs, neither in Australia. Anyone who wants to can send in the stone, which would include Australian jewelers and valuers. Presumably they would want to be paid for their service and some shipping and insurance costs will be required but I would think $1500 would cover it.

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

 

[pmptrading]

$1500- for a certification..... ARE YOU OFF YOUR TREE ????

I just read a link on this site about GIA and corruption? Something to do with SACKINGS/CHARGES from dodgy poeple at GIA!!!!

What if they are still dodgy and swap my stone?

Does a GIA add to the value of a stone?

 

[denverappraiser]

Date: 4/12/2008 9:05:16 PM
Author: pmptrading
$1500- for a certification..... ARE YOU OFF YOUR TREE ????

Perhaps you can find someone who will do it for less. Your friend paid more than this. You can always do it yourself if you prefer.

Date: 4/12/2008 9:05:16 PM
Author: pmptrading
And I have enjoyed reading about the corruption SACKINGS/CHARGES from dodgy poeple at GIA!!!!

Me too. It sure beats watching what's on network television.

Date: 4/12/2008 9:05:16 PM
Author: pmptrading
Does a GIA add to the value of a stone?

There are certainly plenty of folks out there who seem to think so. The stone is unchanged but it sure does seem to make it sell better. They apparently have a lot of satisfied clients.

ps. What charges? Last I checked there had yet to be charges filed against anyone.

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

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 4/12/2008 9:05:16 PM
Author: pmptrading
$1500- for a certification..... ARE YOU OFF YOUR TREE ????

I just read a link on this site about GIA and corruption? Something to do with SACKINGS/CHARGES from dodgy poeple at GIA!!!!

What if they are still dodgy and swap my stone?

Does a GIA add to the value of a stone?

PMP, If I remember correctly the matter was with some very big carat weight and Very expensive stones, and it was some years ago? (Please do correct me anyone if I''m wrong).
GIA enjoys the rep they have and the extra premium paid for their certified stones, exactly because they are Not "dodgy" - as compared to , say, EGL Israel or a "no name" lab which many would consider "dodgy" with their grades.
Yes a GIA certfication (or AGS) does add to the resale value of a stone.
And no, their rep means more than stealing your stone

Plus, if you educate yourself on what to look for ie. inclusions with a loupe, you can identify your stone when ever you have left it with someone.

 

[JogiaDiamonds]

Anyhow he told me he paid an additional A$2000- to get these stones certified..... I assume he means GIA. He told me the stones had to be removed in order to get a GIA ....

Certification doesn''t have to mean GIA, there are many quality labs in Australia.

As mentioned earlier, the GIA fee structure is very reasonable. Shipping and insurance for a 60 pointer from and back to Australia would cost about $400 using Fedex + third party insurer (if not already insured with jewellers block), however a carrier like Brinks *would* charge close to $2000 for shipping to and from the GIA.

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 4/13/2008 3:31:59 AM
Author: JogiaDiamonds

Anyhow he told me he paid an additional A$2000- to get these stones certified..... I assume he means GIA. He told me the stones had to be removed in order to get a GIA ....

Certification doesn''t have to mean GIA, there are many quality labs in Australia.

As mentioned earlier, the GIA fee structure is very reasonable. Shipping and insurance for a 60 pointer from and back to Australia would cost about $400 using Fedex + third party insurer (if not already insured with jewellers block), however a carrier like Brinks *would* charge close to $2000 for shipping to and from the GIA.

Mr Jogia, may I ask I''ve been informed there is only one "premium" lab so far in Australia (is it DCLA?. And even now its said they are too "young" and haven''t had enough volume of stones to really be considered anywhere on par with GIA or AGS..?
Basically my question is, if the OP wanted a premium placed on his stone through its cert, wouldn''t he surely still need to send it to the US?

And secondly, in your opinion where would you place DCLA''s grading ''strictness'' on a comparison to GIA and AGS ?
thankyou!