No Independent Appriasers here. An option?

[hanshananigan]

Hi folks!

There appear to be no indpdt appraisers in town, but I have an itch to get my lovely fiancee''s ring appraised. It''s for her piece of mind, really. ''Bought a .92ct, F, princess cut, etc, w/ GIA cert diamond w/setting from a local store (not mall) with recommendations from two families who have done years of business with the store. The gem is etched with a serial # to match the GIA cert.

The problem started when we began looking for wedding bands. In the 3rd store we were in (in a mall), I noticed the e-ring''s gem looked yellow compared to the 5 smaller diamonds in a band of the same color grade. The salesman suggested a guess of "I" color, and from what I''ve researched, it certainly didn''t look colorless. We cf''ed the ring (in setting) to a GIA F-rated ring of approx size and setting in the store, and to me, they looked the same, so I figured it was a matter of bad lighting and that the wedding band had a different (and cleaner) setting than her e-ring.

In any case, now my fiancee''s a bit freaked that the original vendor may have swapped stones. I don''t think so-this was one instance of a hundred that I noticed any color. Nevertheless, an appraisal''s in order (and I should have when I bought it!).

In short, there''s no indpdt appraisers in town (Richmond, VA), so I wonder what we should expect to be charged for someone to look at the gem, make sure the serial number matches the cert, and give a quick eyeball to see if the gem approximates what is on the cert. Any guesses for price range and proper method of contacting a store?

THANKSTHANKSTHANKS!!!!
Scott

 

[Regular Guy]

Ordinarily I''d suggest using the mail, and one of the featured appraisers here. But given your specific concerns, and location, you might want to call the appraiser I used here in Norther Virginia, Martin Fuller, who''s well regarded generally, and just take a drive up.

 

[hanshananigan]

Thanks Ira,
We have family in that area and might try to get there. Any thoughts it might cost, though, just to have someone down here look at the stone and match the serial # and eyeball whether the stone seems to match?

 

[Regular Guy]

Not sure what to advise. Get a $10 loupe and you can match the cert with serial number yourself. But, you want an appraisal, right? He''ll charge $150 - $175 per hour, and although mine went to $225, that probably because I talk a lot, not them. Call them to get an estimate, based on describing your need.

Also, maybe a non-independent appraiser in a jeweler down there can do this for you, so you can get a document for insurance purposes, at least.

But call them, no harm.