How do I package my loose diamond to be shipped?

[geckodani]

Hey all - I''m sending my diamond off to Pearlman''s tomorrow - but have no clue how to package it. It''s in a baggie in the safe right now.

I''m sending it USPS Registered Mail, but nowhere does it offer suggestions as to how to package it. Help a girl out?

 

[Upgradable]

Okay. You can get everything you need at the post office.

Seal your diamond in a regular white mailing envelope with all the diamond info, your name, phone #, reference # (if Julian gave it to you). Take it to the post office. Somewhere they should have packaging (at no cost) for priority mail. I first put the white envelope in a floppy mylar-like envelope and seal it, then put that inside a cardboard envelope and seal it, then put that inside one of the flat rate boxes they have. It''s about the size of a shirt box.

Then take it to the clerk and tell them that you need registered mail. They will have you seal all edges of the box with paper tape and a squirt bottle of water. Once you do that, tell them you also want it to go priority, with online trackable delivery confirmation with signature. Confirm with them that it is insured for the full replacement amount of your stone.

I know that Julian gave you the name and address to put on the package. It should take about 4 days, not counting Saturday or Sunday, to arrive.

 

[geckodani]

Date: 9/25/2008 5:00:28 PM
Author: Upgradable
Okay. You can get everything you need at the post office.

Seal your diamond in a regular white mailing envelope with all the diamond info, your name, phone #, reference # (if Julian gave it to you). Take it to the post office. Somewhere they should have packaging (at no cost) for priority mail. I first put the white envelope in a floppy mylar-like envelope and seal it, then put that inside a cardboard envelope and seal it, then put that inside one of the flat rate boxes they have. It''s about the size of a shirt box.

Then take it to the clerk and tell them that you need registered mail. They will have you seal all edges of the box with paper tape and a squirt bottle of water. Once you do that, tell them you also want it to go priority, with online trackable delivery confirmation with signature. Confirm with them that it is insured for the full replacement amount of your stone.

I know that Julian gave you the name and address to put on the package. It should take about 4 days, not counting Saturday or Sunday, to arrive.

You''re an angel - thanks Upgradable!

 

[neatfreak]

I sent mine in a baggie to Mark @ ERD. Nothing wrong with the baggies!

I did wrap the baggie in an envelope though and then did the same thing as Upgradable.

The one thing I would suggest is to go to the post office and get all your supplies and then PACKAGE IT AT HOME. You don't want the postal employee's prying eyes to see that you are putting a diamond or jewelry in there KWIM?

 

[Upgradable]

Now, we''ll see how Pearlman''s packages theirs when mine comes tomorrow!!

 

[panda08]

Date: 9/25/2008 5:06:20 PM
Author: geckodani

Date: 9/25/2008 5:00:28 PM
Author: Upgradable
Okay. You can get everything you need at the post office.

Seal your diamond in a regular white mailing envelope with all the diamond info, your name, phone #, reference # (if Julian gave it to you). Take it to the post office. Somewhere they should have packaging (at no cost) for priority mail. I first put the white envelope in a floppy mylar-like envelope and seal it, then put that inside a cardboard envelope and seal it, then put that inside one of the flat rate boxes they have. It's about the size of a shirt box.

Then take it to the clerk and tell them that you need registered mail. They will have you seal all edges of the box with paper tape and a squirt bottle of water. Once you do that, tell them you also want it to go priority, with online trackable delivery confirmation with signature. Confirm with them that it is insured for the full replacement amount of your stone.

I know that Julian gave you the name and address to put on the package. It should take about 4 days, not counting Saturday or Sunday, to arrive.

You're an angel - thanks Upgradable!

Hi Geckodani! Oooh, how exciting that you're sending your diamond off to Pearlman's!

Upgradable's suggestions are great. I'll throw in what I did, in case you're interested. I bought a shoebox sized box and paper tape at Office Depot and packaged my diamond up at home. I put my diamond in a small envelope and put it in a small 4x2 paper jewelry box I had at home. I cushioned the diamond inside the box with some packing paper. Then, I crushed up some more packing paper inside the larger box, placed the smaller box inside, and crushed some more packing paper until the larger box was full and I made sure that there was no rattling sound. I placed my note to the jeweler re the diamond info, etc. on top of everything and then sealed up every edge in the box with the paper tape.

I sent mine registered mail and priority with delivery confirmation and insurance. The clerk stamped every edge of the paper tape, I guess to ensure security. I'm anal so I made sure the dollar amount on the insurance was correct and that the mailing confirmation with the package number matched the one the clerk stuck on the box before I left. You can check the status online at www.usps.com. I sent mine from CA to NY and it took almost a week and a half. So much for priority...

 

[stone-cold11]

Don''t depend on the USPS office to supply you the paper tape. It depends on the clerk on duty, some just do not want to help you, so I suggest get your own paper tape and package it at home first.

 

[geckodani]

Thanks for the help everyone! I was clueless.

I will package it at home and then take it in.

 

[:)]

Date: 9/25/2008 7:19:55 PM
Author: geckodani
Thanks for the help everyone! I was clueless.

I will package it at home and then take it in.

Actually I don't think you CAN package it at home (I know a couple of people suggested this, unless something has changed) - the PO made me unpackage what I packaged so that they could re-package with their special tape - they may let you bring a box from home but I wouldn't tape it up until you get there and they watch you - I believe it has to do with the insurance aspect - they have to document that they personally sealed all edges, etc.
Although I haven't sent anything lately, after that first time I just took my baggie with me (with contents well wrapped in tissue paper inside it) and they gave me a box and taped it. I do put a million of the self stick address labels on the baggie just in case the box is damaged/contents fall out, etc...

 

[Upgradable]

Date: 9/25/2008 7:48:16 PM
Author:

Date: 9/25/2008 7:19:55 PM
Author: geckodani
Thanks for the help everyone! I was clueless.

I will package it at home and then take it in.

Actually I don''t think you CAN package it at home (I know a couple of people suggested this, unless something has changed) - the PO made me unpackage what I packaged so that they could re-package with their special tape - they may let you bring a box from home but I wouldn''t tape it up until you get there and they watch you - I believe it has to do with the insurance aspect - they have to document that they personally sealed all edges, etc.
Although I haven''t sent anything lately, after that first time I just took my baggie with me (with contents well wrapped in tissue paper inside it) and they gave me a box and taped it. I do put a million of the self stick address labels on the baggie just in case the box is damaged/contents fall out, etc...

You can pack it at home, but any tape you have on it they''ll make you remove and replace with their paper tape that absorbs the stamp the use.

 

[stone-cold11]

Ya, they just need the paper tape. At least that is the case for me in Raleigh, NC, just last month. Unless it is different policy for different location... then every advice we gave is worthless.

 

[swingirl]

My local post office does not supply you with paper tape. I had to got to the office supply store and buy my own. It is special tape that does not have any plastic so if you try and remove it it tears. Not Office Depot, not a drug store, but a real office supply/stationary store. The reason for paper envelope is that you don't want the store rattling around in the box.

 

[geckodani]

Thanks for the help all! I am going to the local post office on my lunch to confirm what I need to do. I''ve got my little lady in a baggie, in a small box, that has my name all over it, in a padded envelope, that I am then going to put in a flat-rate box. I will check on the taping situation at lunch.

Thanks all!

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Although I haven''t sent any loose stones, I have received a lot of them in the mail.

I prefer to have them packed inside a small gem or pill box, well cushioned with cotton wool. The box can then go inside a padded envelope.