laser inscription

[mastermitchell]

I just purchased a 1.08 G-FL round brilliant diamond for an engagement ring. The stone is graded by GIA and does not have an inscription on it. Since there are not inclusions to plot I thought that it might be better to send the stone back to GIA to have the cert. number inscribed. Is this a good idea? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dockman3]

Hi, and welcome to Pricescope!

As to your question, I would say that it probably won''t need it. If it truly is FL, then that will be just apparent as the inclusions would be. Also, the dimensions should be enough to identify it. In other words, the dimensions and lack of inclusions should be enough to identify it if need be.

I don''t know exactly what GIA''s policy is with laser inscription, but my guess would be that they would have to regrade it for them to put a laser inscription on it. I doubt they will take a diamond with a grading report and just inscribe it. They will at least have to double check that it is the same stone, so they might as well regrade it. I don''t know for sure though.

 

[mastermitchell]

Thanks! I did call GIA to see what the protocol would be if I were to send it back in and they told me that any cert that is older than 60 days would need to have a new report to accompany the inscription. So, I would have to pay for shipping to and from, a new report, and the cost of the inscription.

 

[dockman3]

In that case, I honestly would not pay all of that just to make sure that a jeweler didn''t switch my stone out if I ever got it reset or repaired. You can always tell that from the FL, as those are very rare, and then dimensions of every diamond are unique as well, or at least relatively unique. The exact weight of the unmounted stone is also a good number to have to more than two decimal places, if you can get it. I would say that is all the security you should need.

 

[zebramoray]

A stone that like that, I would like to have the inscription on there. And when it was set in it''s setting, I would tell them to turn it so I could see the inscription from the side (from a lope of course)..

 

[Regular Guy]

If it happens you wanted it also appraised (nice to do for insurance), you could do a two-fer, and have them also add the inscription. I believe Chris''s shop (associated with Dave Atlas) in Philly and PGS in Chicago could do readily. The bonus with them doing it is you also get a valuation for insurance, while you get the inscription. The ring can be mailed to them, or maybe someone else local to you could do this, too.

 

[Rye]

Date: 7/21/2008 10:06:25 AM
Author: zebramoray
A stone that like that, I would like to have the inscription on there. And when it was set in it's setting, I would tell them to turn it so I could see the inscription from the side (from a lope of course)..

Is it possible to see an inscription number using a loupe? I thought you needed a stronger magnifier, but maybe not??

 

[mastermitchell]

From what I understand, inscriptions are very difficult to see with a 10x loupe, but easier to see with a 20x loupe.

 

[NewEnglandLady]

I can''t make out the numbers on mine with my 10x loupe, but can see it very clearly with my 20x loupe.

If having the inscription will give you peace of mind, it''s probably worth it. I wouldn''t have gotten mine inscribed had it not already been done, but knowing it''s there is nice, too.

 

[K9]

I''m on the boat in favor of having the number inscribed on the girdle. I think with a flawless stone it''d just be easier and there would never be any question. I can also confirm that it''s easy to spot with a 20x loupe.

For me, it''d be a nice piece of mind to have the number on the girdle.

 

[zebramoray]

Ya.. I can see my GIA laser inscription with a 10x loop.. It''s takes some squinting, but I can read it..

 

[AndyMN]

Date: 7/22/2008 11:31:50 AM
Author: mastermitchell
From what I understand, inscriptions are very difficult to see with a 10x loupe, but easier to see with a 20x loupe.

This is true. GIA''s inscription service is really good. There are a few thoughts that occur to me. The inscription is a nice idea for security and protecting it in a casual manner. The reason I say casual is because someone intent on ripping you off could just polish off the inscription, and now they have a FL diamond with no inscription.

Here is something I do. When a customer drops off a ring with a flawless diamond we go to the scope and I zoom in much farther than 10X (the power at which a diamond is plotted). It''s typically possible to find an identifier that doesn''t appear on the plot. Not only might this be a tiny clarity characteristic, it could also be a unique facet junction, etc. We note it and that is the reference again when they pick it up.