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Good Appraisal Story

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Brilliant_Rock
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Mar 9, 2004
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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.
 
Every appraiser is subject to having a bad day, but that is something that needs to be concealed, to the greatest extent possible, from clients. Every appraiser and every appraisal firm is going to be somewhat different, but wehen you are dealing with the top 5% of jewelry appraisers, your experience, in the overall, should seem excellent or at the least, very good.

Any appraiser looking to assist Internet clients knows the added responsibility involved because you may not be getting the facts on the diamond common in a normal retail sales pitch in a store. You are buying the diamond efficiently, but may need more information than normal.

Martin is a good friend and I would expect the best (or close to it) from him. I'm glad he eventually did right by you. It is good for people to know how you feel and who to place their trust in.

Lots of luck with the surprise popping of the question.
 
VH,




Who did the initial appraisal? Was it Gary or Etta? If it was Gary, I wouldn't be that disappointed, he has a very low key way. I brought in three idael cut RBs and his reaction was similar to yours. Only when I asked him they were good stones and probed him a bit did he open the blinds for sunlight and showed the different light patterns under different sources. I just don't think he wants to take up your time unecessarily sinc ethey charge by the hour.




On the return Martin seemed pretty cool and took pictures and teh office seemd genuinely interested and enthusiatic about the ring.




Anyways, glad it turned out.... what's the proposal countdown?
 
It was Etta who did the appraisal... and I'm not saying that she did have a bad day. I guess I'm just expressing that what I experienced that first meeting didn't meet my perceived expectations.

And yes, like noobie's experience, upon return with the finished ring, everyone got in on the act and made me feel very confident. I guess I just didn't really know what to expect.

I'm very pleased with the results.

PS: No hints about the big Q... y'all hafta wait.
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I have a nearly identical story to tell as VH. However, I never spent time with Martin. My report was less detailed (perhaps I didn't ask enough questions as VH did or didn't ask for enough pictures?) than GOG's reports. The appraisal value was set based on pricescope values and contacting others in the industry. Essentially, it proved that the stone was in fact the one listed on the certification. For the amount charged, I was unhappy ($150/hr... although they did give me almost 45 minutes free for a total of an hour because of the stone cut) because I trust GOG enough that they wouldn't swap my diamond. This appraisal just proved that I was an educated consumer and gave nothing in terms of "what if I really have to find a diamond like it in 10 years".

I decided to use GOG's appraisal for insurance, as I know I will not be able to find a diamond like this one for the exact same price that I paid for it. I am not horribly displeased with their office, I just believe that an educated pricescoper may get more out of Richard Sherwood or Dave Atlas (or be prepared to prod with 100's of questions when you arrive at Fuller's office). In the end, the appraisal was just a frustrating part about enjoying the ring anyway so I don't want to harp on it.
 
Squares... my sitting in with Martin wasn't a courtesy I don't think, it was an upsell. I had voiced concerns that the GCAL report didn't have an inclusion plot, so they recommended I add some photos (which was extra). Since I was there, I figured why not... the more info the better.

GOG inlcuded photos of the inclusions in their report, but I figured to just add them to the ind. appraisers report as well, just to be safe. The funny thing is, however, GOG's report, understandilby so, is still more detailed regarding the specifics of the diamond.
 
Squares and VH, I totally understand where you're coming from. I think we get spoiled by the great reports by Rich, Dave and Roc Doc. It's neat to see the toys and reports from the gadgets, but not all appraisers have them and not all of them would deem them necessary.




I really only wanted a cert verification since, my diamonds were AGS certified and I trusted the vendors. Fuller's office approach is that they will do only what you ask. So for me it was fine. I suggested that some packages may be more suitable and convenient for some people.




I passed on the pictures, since I got so many pictures from the vendors. I considered using Dave or Rich, but didn't want the extra shipping. Maybe I will some time in the future.




Another viewpoint on the fancy reports is that I think that they are neat to read and look at and in some way a validation of the fees charged, but what do you do with them two three, ten years from now, other than file them? On the other hand, I'd like to see one of Jonathan's GOG packages, hopefully I'll get to very soon.




I know how you guys feel, but I'd go back to Fuller. I really only wanted a trustworthy and qualified verification of what I purchased and a fair, reasonably comprehensive appraisal for insurance and I believe I received that. I would have liked a more opinionated view of what I bought, since everyone likes to hear that they bought a great diamond at a great deal and more enthusiasm, but I remember a thread in which Rich stated they have to walk a fine line between presenting facts, pro and cons and opinions and remain independent.




Anyways, I'm glad you guys like your stones.
 
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