GIA VS NON-GIA NEED HELP

[techjeff]

I have a jeweler in the building I work in and I was talking to him about a diamond ring I''m going to purchase. I told him I''m looking around online and I found some great prices. This guy seems very nice but I want to know if his information is correct before I start to do possible business with him. He said he can sell me a diamond with the same specs I found online cheaper because he can get me diamonds that are NON-GIA. He said he is able to get me GIA diamonds but GIA diamonds cost more the non-GIA diamonds because they were inspected. If this is the case, then I''m fine with it. I just want to know if he is telling me the truth, is GIA diamonds more costly because they have the GIA stamp?

2nd question, should I always go with a GIA diamond for appraisal purposes?

Please answer both questions if

 

[denverappraiser]

Techjeff,

Question #1.
It’s true that GIA charges for their inspections and therefore a stone would theoretically cost more than an ungraded but otherwise identical stone. The problem is that diamond dealers will price different stones differently. I’m going to guess that this dealer has given you at least a weight, clarity and color and that the price was given based on this description. Right? This means that you are betting a significant amount of money on the accuracy of that description. If you are 100% confident in the sellers grading then no, you don’t need a lab exam. Then again, if you’re 100% confident in his grading, why are you asking this question?

I don’t understand question #2. What do you mean by appraisal purposes?

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[techjeff]

Sorry what I meant by question 2 is in order to get insurance on it I would need a GIA diamond to give to an apprasier so he may provide the value to the insurance company?

 

[Patty]

Your diamond does not have to have a GIA report in order to get an appraisal for insurance purposes.

Be careful of buying a diamond without a certificate. The reason it''s cheaper is not just because you are not paying the couple of hundred bucks for the GIA report...It''s cheaper because you have to trust your jeweler''s word on the color and clarity and cut of the stone. If he calls the stone an SI2 and it''s really an I-1 you will overpay substantially. Same thing with color.

 

[techjeff]

How much does the GIA test cost?

 

[denverappraiser]

It varies by the size of the stone and which report you want. Here is their current fee structure. If you don't happen to live in NYC or Carlsbad CA you will have to consider shipping costs as well.

You may find it educational to read through the tutorials under 'knowledge' at the top of the page here. There is quite a bit of discussion there and in this forum over what is, and what is not, gained by the various types of lab reports.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver