Info on A Detailed Appraisal for a Antique Style Cushion

[trueblue101]

Hello All,

I am in the process of getting my antique style engagement ring insured and I have some questions. Since I am getting a replacement type of insurance policy, I need to obtain a very detailed appraisal that doesn't leave the insurance company much wiggle room in terms of replacing what I had.

As most of us know, no two antique style cushions will look the same, so what details do you think are imperative to put in the appraisal? I have listed some but would love your suggestions.

Here is what I came up with:

carat weight; clarity; color; degree of fluorescence; measurements including total depth, table diameter, crown angle, pavilion angle, girdle thickness, culet size & ASET image.

Do you thimk that a sarin and idealscope report are necessary for antique style reports?

Also, I live in NYC and I was hoping that someone could receommend a good appraiser.

How much do you think a detailed appraisal would cost?

Thanks!

 

[oldminer]

Is the diamond already set or not? The details you may want have to be done on an unset stone. No matter how detailed the report is, finding an identical replacement for an old cut diamond is nigh impossible. If the diamond is a modern reproduction of an old cut diamond, then the same brand of repordcution is going to be about as close as a replacement would ever get. No one cuts old cut diamonds to previous specifications on a lost stone......With diamonds, very similar is about as good as "identical" ever gets.

 

[trueblue101]

Is the diamond already set or not? The details you may want have to be done on an unset stone. No matter how detailed the report is, finding an identical replacement for an old cut diamond is nigh impossible. If the diamond is a modern reproduction of an old cut diamond, then the same brand of repordcution is going to be about as close as a replacement would ever get. No one cuts old cut diamonds to previous specifications on a lost stone......With diamonds, very similar is about as good as "identical" ever gets.

Hi Oldminer:

Thanks for the response. The diamond is actually already set. Will this prevent the appraiser from adequately describing the diamond?

I understand that I will never get a duplicate but I was just hoping in the event of a loss, the appraisal will contain enough info to allow me to pick something similiar to what I had.

Thanks again!

 

[oldminer]

A set diamond cannot be measured as thoroughly as an unset one. If you tend to be a perfectionist about numbers and measurements, then only unset will do. An engineer loves numbers and that's what works for them. A romantic is far less excited by measurements and much more open to beauty in their eye. Most of my clients accept measurements done after mounting, but those who present an appraiser with an unset diamond certainly may get much more data concerning the cut parameters of their diamond provided their appraiser is well equipped wiith the proper tools. Still, a replacement diamond will never be identical. You might find a replacement for a lost diamond that is quite different yet looks great and you like it even more than the first stone. Then the numbers and parameters will have no meaning at all. It is a very personal decision.

Most diamonds can be unset, measured fully and reset. Unless the setting method is unusual or hammer set in a bezel, the diamond likely could be pulled out, measured and reset without a problem.

 

[trueblue101]

A set diamond cannot be measured as thoroughly as an unset one. If you tend to be a perfectionist about numbers and measurements, then only unset will do. An engineer loves numbers and that's what works for them. A romantic is far less excited by measurements and much more open to beauty in their eye. Most of my clients accept measurements done after mounting, but those who present an appraiser with an unset diamond certainly may get much more data concerning the cut parameters of their diamond provided their appraiser is well equipped wiith the proper tools. Still, a replacement diamond will never be identical. You might find a replacement for a lost diamond that is quite different yet looks great and you like it even more than the first stone. Then the numbers and parameters will have no meaning at all. It is a very personal decision.

Most diamonds can be unset, measured fully and reset. Unless the setting method is unusual or hammer set in a bezel, the diamond likely could be pulled out, measured and reset without a problem.

Hi Oldminer,

Once again thank you so much for your detailed response! Does the appraiser unset and set the diamond? Are they qualified to do so (I do not that in an insulting way, I just want to make sure they know how to do this)? Or do I have to go back and ask Leon Mege to do it?

Let me ask you this: my boyfriend received the ring a couple of months back and although I am not engaged yet, I just recently saw the ring and I am unhappy with one set of prongs and was thinking about bringing the ring back to get fixed (I may just be being picky but the whole reason I went with Leon was for his claws so I really want them perfect).

Considering I would like to get the appraisal done on the unset stone, how do you recommend I do this? Should I first do the appraisal and then just bring back the unset stone to Leon so he can mount it and fix the claws?

Thanks!