Hello from a new expert!

[Lynne Loube]

Good Afternoon,

My name is Lynne Loube, and I was referred to this forum by a client of mine who had good things to say. I am a Graduate Gemologist with the GIA, and have been appraising diamonds for 35 years. I'm also a Senior Member of the American Society of Appraisers, as well as a Master Gemologist Appraiser, of which there are only about 40 in the U.S. In addition, I have taught classes at George Washington University, authenticated Martha Washington's jewlery at Mt. Vernon, taught Historical diamond classes at Rhode Island Univ. and G.W., and 19th century neo-classical jewelry at the Smithsonian Assoicates Master of Fine Arts Program in D.C. - and more, please see my website. I look forward to chatting with everybody here, and hope I can help out with any diamond questions you might have!


Best,

Lynne Loube

 

[bee*]

Welcome

 

[CharmyPoo]

Welcome welcome!

 

[Maisie]

Hello!

 

[Moh 10]

Very impressive credentials.
Welcome to PS.

PS is a interesting and influential place.
If you don't mind I'd love to pick your brain . . .

Do you use Idealscopes and ASET scopes, the GIA Diamond Dock or the HCA in your work?
which cut-grading scale, AGS or GIA, do you feel better about and why?
Is your status as a GG at risk if you ever disagree with GIA's policies?

And how do you handle the client who asks the loaded question, "What is my diamond worth?"

. . . I know. . . Tough Crowd.

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome aboard Lynne, great to have you here!

 

[Diamond*Dana]

Welcome to PS!

 

[marcy]

Welcome to Pricescope!

 

[strmrdr]

Welcome to PS.

Now for the new expert grilling, I will be nice.

I was just visiting your website.
I notice that you use the term independent appraiser in a different way than we do here.
We consider an independent appraiser to be someone who does not buy or sell diamonds.
I am curious as how you remain independent with your appraisals when you offer to buy and or broker the goods you are appraising?
That seems like a conflict of interest that cant be worked around to me.

Many diamond dealers and brokers also offers appraisals so it is the norm in the industry but not something that many people here consider to be the ideal situation.
If you take a little heat you will now know why.

I am looking forward to learning more about you and another expert is always welcome.

 

[DiamondFlame]

Welcome to PS, Lynne.

Excellent questions from Strm and Moh10. We''re always interested to hear an expert''s point of view.

 

[girlie-girl]

 

[whitby_2773]

hi lynne

always good to have one more expert here -

welcome!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/2/2009 2:37:39 PM
Author: girlie-girl

LOL!!! This emotie cracks me up GG!

 

[isaku5]

Welcome to PS, Lynne!

 

[sazza]

Welcome

 

[uncleezno]

Hi Guys,

I''m the one who used Lynne for an appraisal and let her know about this site and the community. I''m glad she received such a warm welcome from most of you, but it''s a little disappointing that one of the first posts immediately called her entire modus operandi in to question.

When I first got in touch in with Lynne to ask about an appraisal, she mentioned that she recognized the potential conflict between looking at stones purchased online as well as selling her own stones. After thinking about it, Lynne agreed to appraise my stone, and when I was at her office, there were no stones for me to look at, no little suggestions that she had anything better tucked away - quite the opposite. She was very impressed with my stone, with the level of understanding I''d achieved from scouring pricescope, and after putting the stone through a gauntlet of tests, she gave it her mark of approval. At no point in the process was there any pressure, there was no sales pitch, and there were no comments about the fact that I did all my research online. I am 100% satisfied with the work that Lynne did, and wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone from the Washington, DC area who doesn''t want to drive way out in VA to see Martin Fuller.

I know that my individual experience won''t assuage your doubts, stormrider, but it might behoove us to remember that there are lots of reasons why appraisers generally don''t want to work with people who purchase stones online, and one of them is a know-it-all, holier-than-thou attitude that''s easy to express when we''re all anonymous. I''m glad I came away from my appraisal with the confidence to recommend Lynne, and I hope she''s a valuable contact for anyone in DC.

 

[John P]

Date: 5/2/2009 3:35:49 PM
Author: uncleezno
Hi Guys,

I'm the one who used Lynne for an appraisal and let her know about this site and the community. I'm glad she received such a warm welcome from most of you, but it's a little disappointing that one of the first posts immediately called her entire modus operandi in to question.

When I first got in touch in with Lynne to ask about an appraisal, she mentioned that she recognized the potential conflict between looking at stones purchased online as well as selling her own stones. After thinking about it, Lynne agreed to appraise my stone, and when I was at her office, there were no stones for me to look at, no little suggestions that she had anything better tucked away - quite the opposite. She was very impressed with my stone, with the level of understanding I'd achieved from scouring pricescope, and after putting the stone through a gauntlet of tests, she gave it her mark of approval. At no point in the process was there any pressure, there was no sales pitch, and there were no comments about the fact that I did all my research online. I am 100% satisfied with the work that Lynne did, and wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone from the Washington, DC area who doesn't want to drive way out in VA to see Martin Fuller.

I know that my individual experience won't assuage your doubts, stormrider, but it might behoove us to remember that there are lots of reasons why appraisers generally don't want to work with people who purchase stones online, and one of them is a know-it-all, holier-than-thou attitude that's easy to express when we're all anonymous. I'm glad I came away from my appraisal with the confidence to recommend Lynne, and I hope she's a valuable contact for anyone in DC.

Hi uncleezno. It's great that you had a quality experience. Even better that you put Ms. Loube in-touch with PS!

Sometimes the written word can seem more impersonal than a face-to-face... My perception was that alongside his welcome Strmrdr noted terminology on Ms. Loube's site that's a hot-button here and asked her the question about it.

It's true that on the island of Pricescope the term "independent appraiser" has been long-defined as someone who doesn't sell gems or jewelry. There are several such independents who post here and they're not involved in buying or selling of stones, only full-time third-party appraisal. This is no judgment about use of the term elsewhere, simply a "heads-up" for those who travel Pricescope (like clarifying that use of the word "football" outside of America may imply soccer, and not the old pigskin).

PS is a strong community because of the transparency and consistency of terms used here. In that spirit I saw Strm's post as a "heads-up" and opportunity to clarify, not criticism.

Lynne - Welcome, best wishes and we look forward to your contributions.

 

[LD]

Date: 5/2/2009 3:35:49 PM
Author: uncleezno
Hi Guys,

I'm the one who used Lynne for an appraisal and let her know about this site and the community. I'm glad she received such a warm welcome from most of you, but it's a little disappointing that one of the first posts immediately called her entire modus operandi in to question.

When I first got in touch in with Lynne to ask about an appraisal, she mentioned that she recognized the potential conflict between looking at stones purchased online as well as selling her own stones. After thinking about it, Lynne agreed to appraise my stone, and when I was at her office, there were no stones for me to look at, no little suggestions that she had anything better tucked away - quite the opposite. She was very impressed with my stone, with the level of understanding I'd achieved from scouring pricescope, and after putting the stone through a gauntlet of tests, she gave it her mark of approval. At no point in the process was there any pressure, there was no sales pitch, and there were no comments about the fact that I did all my research online. I am 100% satisfied with the work that Lynne did, and wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone from the Washington, DC area who doesn't want to drive way out in VA to see Martin Fuller.

I know that my individual experience won't assuage your doubts, stormrider, but it might behoove us to remember that there are lots of reasons why appraisers generally don't want to work with people who purchase stones online, and one of them is a know-it-all, holier-than-thou attitude that's easy to express when we're all anonymous. I'm glad I came away from my appraisal with the confidence to recommend Lynne, and I hope she's a valuable contact for anyone in DC.

First of all - a warm welcome to Lynne! I look forward to hearing your opinions.

In response to your post uncleenzo, IMVHO if somebody comes to PS and introduces themselves as an "expert", posters are entitled to ask questions - especially after visiting a website that raises issues. Karl has made a valid point that most of us prefer to have our gemstones valued/appraised by people who are truly independent. I don't think that he was doing anything other than asking a question. I'm glad that your experience with Lynne was a good one and look forward to her answers.

ETA - John we were posting at the same time but I'm glad to see our thinking is aligned!

 

[Lynne Loube]

Good question. American Society of Appraisers take an oath of ethics. That''s why there are very few of us. very few people in my opinion can make a living doing jewelry appraisals.
I am basically a wholesaler, having supplied Nordstrom for 8 years with estate and antique diamond jewelry.

I wear two hats. I do not sell diamonds to appraisal clients. Period the End. If I don''t like the stone I tell the buyer to return it and ask the seller for a better stone.

If I did prostitute my ethics no one would send their clients to me. and many of the jewelry stores in D.C. area send their client''s to me.

I buy diamonds from those that have been referred and I do sell second hand and antique diamonds to referrals only.

A.S.A. ethics does not prejoratate against this practice. I have a fiduciary obligation to any client that comes to me for advice and an appraisal.

As far as what''s is worth? there are many values of what is it worth? What''s it worth to sell to someone? What''s it worth to insure it? What is the wholesale to a dealer for this stone?

How much profit is my seller making? Those are confidential questions that are answere between the apprraiser and her client.

People have to make a profit, how much profit is up to each seller. Remember the diamond dealer that looses money on every sale but makes it up in volume??? Lynne.

 

[Lynne Loube]

Any appraiser can disagree with a GIA certificate. Remember they are only human beings. All of us in the business have seen strange grading in some GIA stones. If there is a big differential the client is told that the appraiser disagrees. And in the insurance doc I may state that the stone is two grades better, or sometimes one grade darker etc.

If the client wishes to return the stone and get another stone that''s o.k. A friend of mine was second opinion at GIA and we all agree that we have to look at each stone and make a decision based on our opinions. and hey what about the customers that want a stone graded when it''s in a mounting??? duh.

What''s under the prongs????

Look everyone, don''t buy a paper, buy a stone, make sure it''s "sexy" in trade words, and make sure the stone speaks to you.

Are you buying a diamond? or are you buying a paper? Lynne

talk to you later!!!!!!!!!!!! bye buy!!!!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Welcome Lynne
Dave Atlas is a respected person here who also ran an appraisal service and side by side specialized in old cut diamond sales. He has always been considered "independant" because "he" is independant

It is OK to sell and appraise, but Storm is right to question you, as this is a consumer siding island

Date: 5/2/2009 1:59:35 PM
Author: Moh 10
Very impressive credentials.
Welcome to PS.

PS is a interesting and influential place.
If you don''t mind I''d love to pick your brain . . .

Do you use Idealscopes and ASET scopes, the GIA Diamond Dock or the HCA in your work?
which cut-grading scale, AGS or GIA, do you feel better about and why?
Is your status as a GG at risk if you ever disagree with GIA''s policies?

And how do you handle the client who asks the loaded question, ''What is my diamond worth?''

. . . I know. . . Tough Crowd.

Moh asked some good questions. Could you address those too fot the audience Lynne?

And welcome

 

[diagem]

Welcome..., PS is a great place to learn and contribute...
But the level of knowledge is high..., a lot of consumers are enriched with knowledge which can make a lot of pro''s look and sound uncomfortable...

Date: 5/2/2009 4:49:35 PM
Author: Lynne Loube
Good question. American Society of Appraisers take an oath of ethics. That''s why there are very few of us. very few people in my opinion can make a living doing jewelry appraisals.
I am basically a wholesaler, having supplied Nordstrom for 8 years with estate and antique diamond jewelry.

I wear two hats. I do not sell diamonds to appraisal clients. Period the End. If I don''t like the stone I tell the buyer to return it and ask the seller for a better stone.

If I did prostitute my ethics no one would send their clients to me. and many of the jewelry stores in D.C. area send their client''s to me.

I buy diamonds from those that have been referred and I do sell second hand and antique diamonds to referrals only.

A.S.A. ethics does not prejoratate against this practice. I have a fiduciary obligation to any client that comes to me for advice and an appraisal.

As far as what''s is worth? there are many values of what is it worth? What''s it worth to sell to someone? What''s it worth to insure it? What is the wholesale to a dealer for this stone?

How much profit is my seller making? Those are confidential questions that are answere between the apprraiser and her client.

People have to make a profit, how much profit is up to each seller. Remember the diamond dealer that looses money on every sale but makes it up in volume??? Lynne.

Can you elaborate a bit on the highlighted? What type of stones? rounds or fancy shapes? Or antiques perhaps?
I am asking as the majority of Diamond appearances fit certain taste buds...

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 5/2/2009 3:35:49 PM
Author: uncleezno
Hi Guys,


I''m the one who used Lynne for an appraisal and let her know about this site and the community. I''m glad she received such a warm welcome from most of you, but it''s a little disappointing that one of the first posts immediately called her entire modus operandi in to question.


When I first got in touch in with Lynne to ask about an appraisal, she mentioned that she recognized the potential conflict between looking at stones purchased online as well as selling her own stones. After thinking about it, Lynne agreed to appraise my stone, and when I was at her office, there were no stones for me to look at, no little suggestions that she had anything better tucked away - quite the opposite. She was very impressed with my stone, with the level of understanding I''d achieved from scouring pricescope, and after putting the stone through a gauntlet of tests, she gave it her mark of approval. At no point in the process was there any pressure, there was no sales pitch, and there were no comments about the fact that I did all my research online. I am 100% satisfied with the work that Lynne did, and wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone from the Washington, DC area who doesn''t want to drive way out in VA to see Martin Fuller.


I know that my individual experience won''t assuage your doubts, stormrider, but it might behoove us to remember that there are lots of reasons why appraisers generally don''t want to work with people who purchase stones online, and one of them is a know-it-all, holier-than-thou attitude that''s easy to express when we''re all anonymous. I''m glad I came away from my appraisal with the confidence to recommend Lynne, and I hope she''s a valuable contact for anyone in DC.

Glad to hear she did a good job for you.
A personal experience carries a lot of weight.

To stay within the rules of the board I don''t have contact information posted because I am not a trade member.
Anyone that has a pressing/legitimate need to get a hold of me off board can contact the PS administration.
He has my contact information.

As far as asking the question it is a very important question to ask as a consumer advocate.
I gave it a lot of thought on how to ask it and not sound unwelcoming.
I honestly am interested in the answer plus it is in the spirit of PS and my role here.

 

[risingsun]

Date: 5/2/2009 3:35:49 PM
Author: uncleezno
Hi Guys,

I''m the one who used Lynne for an appraisal and let her know about this site and the community. I''m glad she received such a warm welcome from most of you, but it''s a little disappointing that one of the first posts immediately called her entire modus operandi in to question.

When I first got in touch in with Lynne to ask about an appraisal, she mentioned that she recognized the potential conflict between looking at stones purchased online as well as selling her own stones. After thinking about it, Lynne agreed to appraise my stone, and when I was at her office, there were no stones for me to look at, no little suggestions that she had anything better tucked away - quite the opposite. She was very impressed with my stone, with the level of understanding I''d achieved from scouring pricescope, and after putting the stone through a gauntlet of tests, she gave it her mark of approval. At no point in the process was there any pressure, there was no sales pitch, and there were no comments about the fact that I did all my research online. I am 100% satisfied with the work that Lynne did, and wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone from the Washington, DC area who doesn''t want to drive way out in VA to see Martin Fuller.

I know that my individual experience won''t assuage your doubts, stormrider, but it might behoove us to remember that there are lots of reasons why appraisers generally don''t want to work with people who purchase stones online, and one of them is a know-it-all, holier-than-thou attitude that''s easy to express when we''re all anonymous. I''m glad I came away from my appraisal with the confidence to recommend Lynne, and I hope she''s a valuable contact for anyone in DC.

I don''t know how much time you have spent on this forum. Anyone presenting themselves as an expert should be expected to be asked questions about how they approach their work. Why this is disappointing to you, I am not sure. Her modus operandi is of the upmost importance if she is going to post and offer advice as an expert. I''m happy to welcome her to the forum, but do want to understand her methods of appraisal and her expertise in the field. All of our independent appraisers have provided such information. No one has meant any disrespect.

 

[oldmancoyote]

Date: 5/2/2009 4:49:35 PM
Author: Lynne Loube
[snip]
People have to make a profit, how much profit is up to each seller. Remember the diamond dealer that looses money on every sale but makes it up in volume??? Lynne.

That''s a good one. LOL. And welcome!

 

[Porridge]

Welcome Lynne

Looking forward to reading your contributions and hopefully learning from you

Thanks for joining

 

[rickster123]

Welcome Lynne

Speaking of appraisals.........ballpark, how much is the going rate for an independent ring apraisal? If I buy from WF or GOG should I still get an appraisal? Do the chain brick and mortars do appraisals or will I need to find an independent appraiser? Thanks

 

[Catmom]

Hi and welcome, Lynne!!

It''s always exciting to have another expert join us. I look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[Tuckins1]

Welcome!

 

[Regular Guy]

Hi, Lynne,

I''m from DC metro, too.

I''m also a semi-old dog on this board, and can share that your participation is welcome. Know, too, that this board gets into discussions about how to provide self service as a "performance junkie," and if you can be responsive to it...if not a national, then a local audience will increase their way to your door.

I''m not an expert, but enjoy recommending them.

To get a further flavor, see my thread here for some approaches I''ve found helpful. The questions from Moh 10 are consistent with it, too. I do think, though, it may be completely legitimate to come up with different answers to the same questions, so long as they work.