verticalhorizon
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2004
- Messages
- 840
I'll come right out and say it. I was a little dissappointed in my initial appraisal.
I know my little diamond isn't huge, but after spending months searching for the perfect rock over the internet, I wanted to be able to actually participate in something for a change! Both Jon @ GOG and David Atlass recommended Martin Fuller's office as top notch, so I booked my appointment.
At the inital visit to view the loose stone, my appraiser basically agreed with the cert, said it had a high dispersion and that was it. I felt very unsatisfied.
Weeks passed as I held onto the rock and then sent it away to be set. When I returned I had a much different and more plesant experience. Perhaps the appraiser was only having a bad day when I first went in. Perhaps I wasn't asking the right questions. Perhaps my expectations were simply off.
We communicated more about the diamond and I was able to even sit with Martin for a bit while he took microscopic photos for the appraisal report. We talked about his time at the JCK Vegas show and how I plan on popping the question. (Note: Don't ask me, it's a secret.)
At first, I was worried that I was not going to have enough documentation to feel adequately covered for insurance. That's not to say that I wouldn't be covered monetarily... I wanted to make sure that the report adequately described my diamond. I was so worried that I even had Richard Sherwood waiting in the wings, just in case (thanks Richard).
But in the end, I was pleased with the report, the photos, and professionalism that I received from Martin's office. They recommended that I re-appraise the ring every 3-5 years and that the rate is half the normal rate.
All in all, I would recommend Martin Fuller's office from my personal experience. However, if you don't live in the area or don't particularly care about being present during your appraisal, I have no question that Richard Sherwood and David Atlass are top notch as well, based solely on the advice they were willing to share with me.
As always, I am open to questions. Please feel free to PM me, if you prefer.
I know my little diamond isn't huge, but after spending months searching for the perfect rock over the internet, I wanted to be able to actually participate in something for a change! Both Jon @ GOG and David Atlass recommended Martin Fuller's office as top notch, so I booked my appointment.
At the inital visit to view the loose stone, my appraiser basically agreed with the cert, said it had a high dispersion and that was it. I felt very unsatisfied.
Weeks passed as I held onto the rock and then sent it away to be set. When I returned I had a much different and more plesant experience. Perhaps the appraiser was only having a bad day when I first went in. Perhaps I wasn't asking the right questions. Perhaps my expectations were simply off.
We communicated more about the diamond and I was able to even sit with Martin for a bit while he took microscopic photos for the appraisal report. We talked about his time at the JCK Vegas show and how I plan on popping the question. (Note: Don't ask me, it's a secret.)
At first, I was worried that I was not going to have enough documentation to feel adequately covered for insurance. That's not to say that I wouldn't be covered monetarily... I wanted to make sure that the report adequately described my diamond. I was so worried that I even had Richard Sherwood waiting in the wings, just in case (thanks Richard).
But in the end, I was pleased with the report, the photos, and professionalism that I received from Martin's office. They recommended that I re-appraise the ring every 3-5 years and that the rate is half the normal rate.
All in all, I would recommend Martin Fuller's office from my personal experience. However, if you don't live in the area or don't particularly care about being present during your appraisal, I have no question that Richard Sherwood and David Atlass are top notch as well, based solely on the advice they were willing to share with me.
As always, I am open to questions. Please feel free to PM me, if you prefer.