*****HELP - Appraisal results not match GIA*****

[civictypesi]

From "Show me the ring" - didn't know how to move it. I should clarify that the problem I have isn't so much as the appraisal doesn't match the report as is the underlying concern - did I receive a diamond that's of lower quality than the one I paid for? I cannot tolerate any level of deception, as I'm sure no one else can either. how subjective is the "excellent" cut vs. the "good" cut?


we purchased a diamond from Union Diamond and placed a custom order for the ring with them.

We weren't able to get it appraised until almost a month after the purchase because we had some trouble setting up an appointment time with the appraiser listed under Pricescope. Nonetheless, the one we went to yesterday appears to be very good - an independent appraiser, nearly 60 years of experience and president of the jewelry appraisal club here in our state (very impressive resume). Very very very friendly old man.

We paid for a stone whose cut is "excellent" (per GIA report) but the appraisal report says "good" - problem?? While carat weight, color, and clarity all match, I am concerned about overpaying and wondering if we could have paid less for this "good" diamond seeing how "cut" is the most important of the 4 C's. In other words, did we purchase a "good" stone at the cost of an "excellent" cut? How is this possible? It certainly isn't due to wear and tear - during the month of trying to get an appointment wth the other appraiser, it had not been worn (sat in the box).

Should I call Union Diamond and if so, what to say? Today's my 29th day (they have a 30-day policy). Whose fault is this? GIA (it's second tier compared to AGS), Union Diamond, appraiserl, mine? Has anyone else had a diamond appraised and the appraisal did not match the GIA or AGS report? Is this common? Please share.

My other question is if you have a lot of side stones (say channel like), is it possible for the total carat weight (of the channel of diamonds) to be off? the appraisal report's description was about 0.03ct shy of what was described in my order from Union Diamond (I counted all the side stones and they are all there and appear to be the same weight).

In case you're interested, the independent appraisal value came out to be similar to that estimated by Union Diamond ($2000 shy of jeweler)

If it is a case I should open up, I am not looking for another center stone w/ the same 4cs, as I like my ring a lot (and so did the other customers at the appraisal place). I think Union Diamond did a good job with my ring - it's just I simply want to get what I originally paid for. I'm sad that my stone may not have an "excellent" cut (since that was the 1st factor I looked at)

 

[Modified Brilliant]

Hi civic,
Before worrying about all the issues that you raised here...please understand that you should
feel free to call the appraiser on Monday. Did you discuss your concerns with the appraiser?
Did you share the GIA report cut grade findings with him? A "mounted" diamond will sometimes
not grade out exactly as a loose diamond due to visual limitations.
I'm sure a discussion with your appraiser will put your mind at ease regarding the diamond that you purchased.
The clarity plot and measurements are just two initial ways to compare ..there are many more.

I'm surprised that you left the appointment with so many unanswered questions.
I usually ask 4 or 5 times during the appointment if "you have any questions."

www.metrojewelryappraisers.com

 

[Big daddy 48]

I wouldn''t be concerned. Union jewelers should stand behind there products 100%. A 30 day return policy should and probably won''t have an affect on an inaccurate report or diamond.If it''s something wrong on their part I am sure they will fix it.As far as the side stone I have noticed no matter where you buy expect for it to be off by up to .5 CTS. One question though,did you go to a real appraiser or a jewelry store?

 

[civictypesi]

bigdaddy - independent.

modified - SO went.

 

[strmrdr]

If the stone matches the report then it is a GIA EX.
I would be asking the appraiser what grading system he used to get the good rating.
I would want it noted on the report that it is a gia EX as it effects the value.
I think if the stone matches the report the problem is with the appraiser not Union or the diamond.
I would call Union and give them a heads up on it and ask to reserve the right to return if there does turn out to be a problem with the diamond.
That shouldn''t be an issue.

 

[strmrdr]

0.03ctw or 0.03ct per stone on the sides?
What is the total ct weight and how many stones?

 

[Richard Sherwood]

It''s more likely an appraiser grading issue than not. As Jeff states, the stone being mounted may have affected his analysis. GIA has the luxury of grading the stone loose.

And to be 3 points off on a total weight of melee (1/3 ct? 1/2 ct total weight?) is not a big deal. Again, the appraiser is estimating, while the selling vendor has the exact weight.

Talk to the appraiser before you begin to think negatively of the vendor. Union Diamond has an excellent rep.

 

[Big daddy 48]

As I said before, call Union tomorrow and make them aware of the appraisal. They are a reputable company from what I know and I wouldn''t worry to hard about it. I didn''t know the stone was appraised mounted as that could have an effect on the report. I usually have the stones removed from any setting before having them appraised. Don''t lose any sleep over it though. You have a GIA certificate,you purchased from a reputable place,etc.

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 8/2/2009 10:05:00 PM
Author: Richard Sherwood
It''s more likely an appraiser grading issue than not. As Jeff states, the stone being mounted may have affected his analysis. GIA has the luxury of grading the stone loose.

And to be 3 points off on a total weight of melee (1/3 ct? 1/2 ct total weight?) is not a big deal. Again, the appraiser is estimating, while the selling vendor has the exact weight.

Talk to the appraiser before you begin to think negatively of the vendor. Union Diamond has an excellent rep.

Ditto.

 

[geoffreysnow]

Since the GIA report says "excellent" you paid for and got a GIA "excellent" graded diamond. It sounds like the appraiser is using his own grading metric and the specs of your diamond don''t fall within his parameters for "excellent" (if there even is one).

You ask whose "fault" this is, and Union Diamond certainly isn''t at fault if the diamond they sold is the one with the matching GIA report.

 

[tallchickbarbara]

Hi Civictypesi,

I believe I know the exact ring(s) you''re referencing as I believe that I had helped a bit with your purchase. The diamond was indeed certified an Excellent Cut Grade by the GIA, however what I think *may* have happened is that your appraiser, if he''s more of an "old school" appraiser, he may still be using the older AGS standard table parameters for what the AGS used to deem "Ideal", and those parameters only went up to 57.5% on the table. This particular diamond''s table fell just outside of that which may be why he *personally* disagrees with the GIA''s grade, however, the AGS has revamped it''s cut grading system and now that the GIA grades cut for rounds, they are allowing slightly larger table percentages to fall into an Excellent cut category. I hope this sheds a little light - as I mentioned, this may or may not be the reason for your appraiser''s differing opinion to what the GIA called the cut, but, it may.

Also, as Mr. Sherwood mentioned, please keep in mind that your appraiser is estimating the weight of the side stones and without taking each individual diamond out of the setting to weigh them, he''s giving you his best guess.

As always, you can call me directly or any of my staff at any time with your questions. We''re here to help however we can.

 

[denverappraiser]

I’m with all of the above in suggesting that you start by talking to your appraiser. Assuming that there’s no dispute that it’s the correct stone for the report, and assuming that the appraiser even knows that the GIA report exists, then there should be no dispute that it’s ‘excellent’ on the GIA cut grading scale. As mentioned above, there are other grading scales that they may be using and it’s up to the appraiser to explain to you what they are doing and why they chose to do it the way they did. Presumably it wasn’t by your request.

Do call Union though, explain to them the situation and ask for a specific extension of the 30 day return while you work it out. I think the problem is almost certainly with your appraiser, not with either Union or GIA but it’s important you get it worked out and an extension of a week or so should take the pressure off while you deal with it. It''s reasonable for them to want you to get on with it but I doubt the 30 days is meant to be a boundary for folks with a legitimate need to take longer for a decision.


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

 

[Rockdiamond]

All excellent advice given so far- with one notable exception.
I would consider it irresponsible for a manufacturing jeweller to be off by .50cts ..or even .05cts on side stone weight.
Consumers have EVERY right to expect such accuracy unless they are buying a used item, or estate piece.

 

[Richard Sherwood]

Date: 8/4/2009 1:53:31 PM
Author: Rockdiamond
All excellent advice given so far- with one notable exception.
I would consider it irresponsible for a manufacturing jeweller to be off by .50cts ..or even .05cts on side stone weight.
Consumers have EVERY right to expect such accuracy unless they are buying a used item, or estate piece.

He said the appraiser''s (estimated) weight was off by 3 points from the manufacturer''s (weighed) weight, Dave.

3 points off on an estimation is no big deal, but I agree with you that the manufacturer''s weight should be (and usually is) accurate.

 

[Rockdiamond]

Date: 8/2/2009 9:21:08 PM
Author: Big daddy 48
I wouldn''t be concerned. Union jewelers should stand behind there products 100%. A 30 day return policy should and probably won''t have an affect on an inaccurate report or diamond.If it''s something wrong on their part I am sure they will fix it.As far as the side stone I have noticed no matter where you buy expect for it to be off by up to .5 CTS. One question though,did you go to a real appraiser or a jewelry store?

Great point Rich- an apprasier estimating weight pretty much guarantees it won''t be exact- we also agree that a consumer certainly should expect exact weights from the manufactuer, or seller.