Loose Engagement ring

[isolpj]

Hello all. I will be purchasing a loose fancy yellow diamond from an online store in the next couple of weeks. My question has to deal with recommendations on appraisers and places to get that diamond set into a white gold or platinum engagement ring.

Is there an appraiser that you recommend in the Los Angeles area?

Is there a particular jewler that people have had luck with in setting a loose diamond into an engagement ring that is also in the Los Angeles area?

Are there any issues that I should be aware of when getting that diamond shipped to these local jewlers?

I would like to check the ring out before I say the final word on the purchase and would like some real world experiences on local jewlers.

Thanks for your help

isolpj

 

[jenwill]

ISOLPJ-

I am still a relative newbie to this posting thing, but after lurking for awhile I have found that these question come up often.

1)Is there an appraiser that you recommend in the Los Angeles area?

There is a link on the first page of this website that lists trusted appraisers- there are several in the Los Angeles/San Diego area.

2)Is there a particular jewler that people have had luck with in setting a loose diamond into an engagement ring that is also in the Los Angeles area?

Can't help too much with this one, but the search page seems to be very good at bringing up even the most remote references to the keywords put in, so I might try that if I were you.

3)Are there any issues that I should be aware of when getting that diamond shipped to these local jewlers?

I think that the best bet is to find an appraiser, make and appointment and have the stone shipped to them. Some can be booked for awhile, so I would try to make this my first course of action. Once the stone is sent to them, you can see what it is like before you purchase (if the person selling you allows that- otherwise make sure they have a no questions refund policy of at least 15 days for turn-around time to get it back to them.)If the stone is to your liking, and appraises well, and you have already paid for it, you can take it with you then.

When bringing to the jewelers to have it set, make sure that you draw an inclusion plot on a piece of paper that you both agree on, and have them sign it with you. This way you can match it when you pick up your piece of finished jewelry.

Common recommendations on this site seem to be, don't get a stone appraised anywhere that sells jewelry too- as they may try to dissuade you on the quality to get you to purchase from them instead. If you want to have the piece re-appraised after it is finished, discuss this with the appraiser ahead of time- they may give you a slight discount on the second appraisal, as it may not need the thoroughness of the 1st one- just to confirm that the stone is the same and undamaged from setting, and then figure new value based on setting.

I am sure that you will get a lot of good feedback from this site, as I have only read what seem to be honest opinions, and learned a great deal from the regulars here.

Edited for verbosity....man i write as much as i talk!