Need advice on buying an uncerted diamond..

[meepcat]

I realize this is close to blasphemy, but I''m looking at the option of buying an uncerted diamond.

The jeweler can send the diamond out to be certed by GIA, and I expect it won''t be very high on their chart. However, I looked at the diamond in-person, and save for some inclusions and a thick girdle, it was BEAUTIFUL. I could clearly see the hearts and arrows, with the cut, to my eye, seemingly Very Good.

This is the process I thought would be applicable to this situation:

1. Have jeweler send diamond to appraiser
2. Have jeweler send diamond to GIA for certification
3. Buy diamond from jeweler

I live in the San Francisco area. I''ve heard of Nancy Stacy, but it seems to me her rates are pretty high(?). Are there any other notable appraisers that I could talk to; is it possible that going with the jeweler''s appraiser (jeweler has been in business a long time), or is that not recommended by PS folks? Also, could someone explain the process of getting a diamond certed by GIA, or point me to the link where this is explained already?

Thank you so much!

 

[MissAva]

The jeweler would need to send the stone out to GIA and have them issue a grading report.

I am a client of Richard Sherwood, and I would recommend him. You could make an appointment with him and overnight the stone to him.

 

[JulieN]

If you send it to AGA, you could skip step 2.

 

[sanfranciscoellen]

Unless you plan on selling it someday, I would personally take it to Nancy Stacy and skip the cert process. I believe you''ll get more info from a great ind appraiser for less cost. If she verifies that the stone is a good deal and "is what it is" and you love it, why do you need a cert? In the end, it will be cheaper and you''ll have the stone on a finger much faster.