Good Appraiser in Phoenix/Scottsdale?

[bowral1]

First let me say that yes I did a search with this exact title and found only a few blogs that weren’t much help and they were over 3 years old.

I live in the Phoenix area and my boyfriend just purchased an engagement ring. I went to resources on pricescope to find an appraiser and only 4 are listed. How is that possible? I live in the 5 largest city in the country and only 4 are listed on this website? I know there are more in the yellow pages, (I have looked) but I don’t know how to pick one. How do I know who is the best? Any UPDATED

thoughts?

The ring is set; the appraiser should be able to verify it is the stone on the GIA cert right? I read on one of the blogs that a person recommended giving the GIA cert to the appraiser before they appraise the ring? Isn’t that cheating? Aren’t they supposed to figure that out?

I have done most of my research lately on the diamond itself . . . . but now I am wondering about the appraisal.

Melissa

I guess there arent many PSers in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area . . . .

 

[denverappraiser]

Hi Melissa,

What it takes to be listed as an appraiser on this site is to be offering appraisal services WITHOUT pairing them with sales of competitive goods and backed up by at least moderate credentials. That rules out nearly everyone who calls themselves an appraiser. Believe it or not, it’s actually unusual to have 4 in the same city. There’s only 3 in my whole state for example. Some states, like Kansas and Missouri for example, don’t have a single one (in case you've never been there, Kansas City is not an insubstantial place). What it takes to be listed under ‘appraisers’ in the phone book is to pay the phone company for the listing.

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

 

[bowral1]

Ok, thanks so you are saying that any of those 4 appraisers should be sufficient? If the stone is set and I have GIA cert do I give it to them before they appraise, after, or they don’t even need to see it? Which scenario is the most common or the right one?

 

[denverappraiser]

Date: 5/9/2009 11:22:39 AM
Author: bowral1
Ok, thanks so you are saying that any of those 4 appraisers should be sufficient? If the stone is set and I have GIA cert do I give it to them before they appraise, after, or they don’t even need to see it? Which scenario is the most common or the right one?

The only Phoenix appraiser I know personally is Ray Mason in Scottsdale and he is definitely a qualified gemologist and appraiser. The others may be as well and I just don’t know them personally. I was answering your question as to why there are so many people out there who call themselves appraisers who aren’t listed on this site. By and large, the folks listed here tend to take their professions seriously and that’s a good sign. Who is best for you depends on what you want. I would look at their credentials first, read over their website and chat with them on the phone about what you are hoping to learn from your session and in terms of documentation. Not everyone offers the same sorts of services and complying with the minimum requirements of the insurance companies, although easy, is probably not what you want. By all means ask them what makes them better than their competition.

When you show the documents will relate to what you are trying to learn. I would take with you everything you have, tell them that you have them with you and discuss the topic prior to showing them. Every appraisal session should start with a discussion of your purpose and your objectives in seeking out the appraisal. For insurance purposes it’s important to include this information in the report (I usually include a scan of the GIA entire report as an appendix to my own).

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

 

[Regular Guy]

Meilssa,

Nei''s given you good advice, and a quick review of the resources area is most encouraging to me about Ray Mason, too. Consider asking him about reflector technology, though. Per other many posts here, and despite this guy both being local, and having invested cold hard cash in a megascope...it''s conceivable that given the very little actual need you''ll have to review this purchase again, you might go with someone else who not only also has a web site, but has invested the $125 for both an IS and ASET, too boot, and knows how to talk about these...in which case the mail, and several appraisers who actually post here might be considered, too.

Then again, he has a Lazare master set. That''s pretty cool. You really might just go with him, and whoever you go with, please let us know your feedback!

 

[D&T]

I''ve talked to Ray Mason, and have felt that he was helpful in my situation and may be going to him soon, but I''m glad to here that Neil knows him as well. He has been up front and has directed on what to do and how he will charge, and he seems very promising. Would love to hear your thoughts as well if you choose to go with him, good luck.

 

[bowral1]

Thank you everyone for the input, it was very helpful. I will give feedback on Ray once we get the ring appraised.

Melissa