How to get a stone certed?

[buffd]

I am in the middle of a purchase with a local dealer for an uncerted stone. I would like to have the stone graded(AGS,GIA or EGL) prior to purchase and would be glad to pay the fee if the stone measures up. My question are how much do each of these grading services charge? If my stone comes back with better numbers than currently listed does the retailer have a right to increase the price? What is the general turnaround time for grading? Thanks in advance for your time.

Jeff

 

[diamondsman]

your best bet is to tell the person you are buying it from,that if the stone comes back no less than certain color,clarity,cut, you will take it.If it comes back better than you still pay the same price, it should not matter to him.

 

[EdSkinner]

Usually the cost of the cert depends on the weight. I only have accesss to a price list for GIA from 1994, at that point the jewelers cost was $120.00 for a carat stone. I talked to someone last week who just got a 1.00 ct. stone certified and it was the same price. Turn around time for GIA is 6 weeks. Off hand I do not know AGS or EGL prices or turn around.

 

[icelady]

Jeff,

The only one I am familiar with is GIA since I just went through the process to have a diamond certed by them. The cost for my RB (1.37ct) was as Ed said, around $118 plus shipping. I had my gemologist/jeweler send it in for me, it had to be loose. The cert took approximately 3 weeks and was done through the Carlsbad California GIA gemlab.

As Diamondsman stated, I would make it clear that if it comes back with better numbers, you will still be paying the same price he quoted you. Also, you will want to reserve the right to decline the stone if it comes back with lesser numbers. You may still have to pay for the cert either way.

Hope this helps.