Los Angeles-based appraiser recommendation needed

[HappyNewLife]

Hi there,

I’ve been noticing my wife’s 1.7ct solitaire ring has been looking hazy. I chalked it up to the fact that she rarely cleans it and that anything compared to my 2.937 ACA is going to look “different”. So in the past few days she took the ring off to give her hand a break (it leaves a mark) and I thoroughly soaked it and cleaned it in dawn soap and a brush. It’s still hazy. So I ordered a 30x loupe to check the GIA inscription. It’s NOT there. The cert does say it’s inscribed (cert below). I checked my ACA, I checked my teeny .33ct ACA, I checked my crappy .7ct zales diamond - I can clearly make out all those inscriptions! My wife’s ring has been sized twice and also had prongs adjusted when the diamond got loose. I suppose it’s possible that a prong is covering the inscription, but now I’m worried it was switched even moreso. I’ve reached out to David Klass to see if he’d take a look, but is there a list of appraisers based in LA somewhere? (I did try to find it). Is there a better way to clean the crap out of it, in case that’s why it’s hazy? Thank you!

https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=5166309760

I’ll try to take some pics to show the haziness tomorrow. It’s 2:30am. Whoops.

 

[arkieb1]

It's under the drop down "Resources" Tab above but here, click on the state you are in and where you live and it should give you recommended appraisers;

https://www.pricescope.com/appraisers

 

[kenny]

I've read that the black stuff in GIA's inscriptions can wear away.

After that finding it, let alone reading it, will be tricky but not impossible.
With the diamond in one position in the tweezers, try rotating your body 360 degrees slowly so your angle to light source changes.
Then rotate the diamond in the tweezers a bit and repeat.
Good luck.

Also, some kinds of gunk are very stubborn, so I'd bring it to a jeweler to get it steam cleaned or cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Don't panic yet. since this is a SI1 stone you can check the inclusion locations with the GIA report map after you clean the stone.

 

[HappyNewLife]

Thanks guys. I’m going to have David Klass look at it for me this week since I live in LA. I tried finding the inscription again this morning with fresh eyes - it just isn’t there. Maybe it’s under a prong. I bet her diamond gunk is just being stubborn since she never cleans it. I’m not panicking yet.

 

[Lorelei]

Don't panic yet. since this is a SI1 stone you can check the inclusion locations with the GIA report map after you clean the stone.

My American Boyfriend gives good advice as usual. <3

 

[Dancing Fire]

My American Boyfriend gives good advice as usual. <3

Welcome back my Brit GF.... don't be a stranger...

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome back my Brit GF.... don't be a stranger...

I'll try not to be, I missed you!

 

[HappyNewLife]

Here's an update for anyone who might be interested. I met with David Klass today - HOW DID I NOT KNOW he's in LA? In a word, he is AWESOME. He assessed my wife's ring and couldn't find the inscription either. He was able to get the diamond rotated and sure enough, the inscription matched and was under a prong. He also helped me secure the prongs (the diamond had shifted), thoroughly cleaned and polished it and gave me thoughts on the diamond (why it's hazy). He's also going to be working on a small RHR project for me, so I handed off a 3-stone ring and he assessed those diamonds as well. I'm super grateful for him! Also, now that the gunky diamond is clean, it looks better. Still not ACA level, but much better! Some pics below (sorry, it's impossible to get both diamonds to show arrows at the same time - I suck!) (note: I wasn't driving)

 

[MissGotRocks]

Glad you found out that the stone hadn't been switched - got to be a relief.
Do you see color difference between her G and your I face up?
I always thought it was kinda cool that you both had sort of identical rings. I think it may be time to buy another diamond. . .just sayin'!

 

[Dancing Fire]

Beautiful pair of classics!!

 

[HappyNewLife]

Glad you found out that the stone hadn't been switched - got to be a relief.
Do you see color difference between her G and your I face up?
I always thought it was kinda cool that you both had sort of identical rings. I think it may be time to buy another diamond. . .just sayin'!

You can totally tell that her G is whiter. I think it’s closer to F, based on my own bias. It’s an icy white.