Jeweler opinions vs GIA certificate

[doctab]

Hi folks, I recently bought an engagement ring from diamonds on web. It''s a G VS2 ex/ex 1.03 carat with no flourescence. There are of course a few more factors but i''m providing the ones i know off the top of my head right now. It is laser inscribed from GIA and i have what appears to be a valid, genuine certificate for it. My question is in regards to how ACCURATE that certification is if jewelers i have spoken with, do not at all validate what my certificate says.

I took the ring to 3 jewelry stores just out of curiosity to see what they would say and for my own sense of assurance that since im paying for a laser inscribed diamond and gia certification, that its accurate. Well, all three of the jewelers first asked me where the diamond was bought, i did not tell them DOW, i just said a jewelery store in the area. They then examined the diamond and literally each category, except carat size, was NOT lining up with what my report says. G became H or I, VS2 became SI 1 or 2, shine, cut, etc were all just not at all accurate in comparison to the report. Obviously for me this was pretty disconcerting. And it seemed that the folks looking at the diamond were knowledgeable or appeared to be experienced based on how they were talking, but its my best judgement on that, i really dont know. Oh and the laser inscription IS there and it does line up with the certificate and i have gone to the GIA site and made sure the certificate is valid. So i think its fair to assume that the diamond i have is the diamond the GIA certificate describes.

Question i have is what to make of these differing opinions? I mean, i asked the stores i went to, ''if I say i have a GIA certificate that indicates G VS 2 etc etc, and you guys tell me its NOT vs 2 but something else for instance, then whom do i believe?'' I mean GIA is a big company, its pretty well known and as far as i can tell, its considered a GOOD idea to get something certified by them, but in light of hearing differing opinions and what seemed to be a sort of blase attitude about the importance of the GIA certificate i really am a bit confused. They almost made it sound like GIA certificates are not always accurate and its just how it is. Not something i''d really like to hear after spending thousands on a diamond. Sorry for this being so long but if anyone can enlighten me with opinions or helpful information id appreciate it. Thanks so much for the help.
DB

 

[lovegem]

go to an independent appraiser.

 

[LGK]

Yup, only an independant appraiser will be worth your time. People who sell jewelry want your business, and if it means convincing you to return something purchased elsewhere, sadly many of them will go that route. Its just a conflict of interest, plain & simple, and if they're offering a free opinion, you do get what you pay for usually.

That being said it isn't impossible that your diamond is a low G almost an H; even GIA certs are opinions... but it's not terribly likely. And sometimes you'll get appraisers who are tighter graders on color or clarity than others, too. What you want to see is someone using master stones to grade color (and preferably not CZs) or that machine GOG describes (colorimeter? mmm, too lazy to look it up).

The Pricescope appraiser locator tool is a good way to find local independants.

Good luck!

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome to Pricescope,

As LGK says, colour and clarity grading can be subject to opinion - to put your mind at rest, use this tool to find an appraiser in your area - https://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx

 

[purrfectpear]

Another significant factor in the difference in color grading is that GIA graded your diamond unset, upside down against master stones. Any subsequent attempts to grade color whether by a jeweler, or even an independent appraiser will not be as accurate while the diamond is in a ring setting.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/27/2008 8:52:28 AM
Author: purrfectpear
Another significant factor in the difference in color grading is that GIA graded your diamond unset, upside down against master stones. Any subsequent attempts to grade color whether by a jeweler, or even an independent appraiser will not be as accurate while the diamond is in a ring setting.

I believe that is generally allowed for if the diamond is being examined set by those who know what they are doing and are familiar with the process - of course this may not be the case here!

 

[denverappraiser]

‘Accurate’ grading is an interesting can of worms. Allow me to ask the standards, qualifications, methodology and motivations of these ‘jewelers’? If what you got was a free opinion, I suggest that you got what you paid for -- Some worker in a jewelry store who gave their opinion of what they saw.

Having said that, let’s assume you hired a real appraiser, asked them to grade the stone, they used the best methodology available to them and their conclusion is something different from GIA’s. It happens all the time. Now what? Who’s right?

In most cases, by definition, GIA is. The appraiser is estimating what GIA would call it if presented to them and GIA is reporting what they DID call it when it WAS presented to them. Even if they are wrong on some theoretical cosmic standard, and even if GIA could be reasonably expected to provide a different answer if the stone were resubmitted, they are right in the marketplace as it sits. Assuming it's the correct stone and it's undamaged, it’s a GIA/VS2/G. If you don’t show the GIA document to the appraiser, don’t discuss the differences and the reasons for them than you’ve missed the point of your appraisal.

Some GIA/VS2/G’s are better than others. Everyone here will agree with that. Often it’s because of information that’s not contained on the report at all, often it’s because of variations within the grades, often it's because of grading limitations imposed by the mounting and occasionally it’s because of an error at the lab. For shopping purposes, this is important and useful information and it sounds like this is what you were trying to learn. Is your stone the one described on the report and how does it stack up to other GIA/VS2/G’s in the marketplace? Those are valid enough questions but it sounds like this isn’t either what you asked or what they provided. You asked for a ‘free’ blind grading under less than optimum circumstances from a competitive seller. I’m not at all surprised this resulted in a misunderstanding. Not to sound self serving but I’m with the above, if you want a real appraisal, hire a real appraiser.

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