Ordering online: set or unset?
- Thread starter alechope
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pqcollectibles
Ideal_Rock
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If you are buying a H&A, I'd get the diamond unset and enjoy viewing the patterns. That's what I did. The cost to return ship was worth the experience!
If you are buying the diamond and set from one Vendor and planning on having the diamond verified by an independent appraiser, go unset. The appraiser can arrange to have the diamond set after verification.
As far as returns/refunds on a set diamond,.... Ask the Vendor you plan to work with about their policies.
If you are buying the diamond and set from one Vendor and planning on having the diamond verified by an independent appraiser, go unset. The appraiser can arrange to have the diamond set after verification.
As far as returns/refunds on a set diamond,.... Ask the Vendor you plan to work with about their policies.
definitely get it unset!!!! You need to look at it for awhile and have it appraised before you commit to a setting. I made that mistake with the first one. I did have it appraised but later realized I didn't like it. I spent $300. to have it set ...ouch. I would have rather put that towards to the stone. good luck!!!
I think this is the correct order (but I am no expert)
1. You can order a loose stone on-line and have it sent to an independent appraiser. The appraiser will verify the stone's properties.
2. Then you can have the stone mounted.
3. After it is mounted, you can take it back to the appraiser for an update. This usually costs $25-50. They will give you a certificate to give to the insurance company.
Experts please confirm for him (and me!),
JorgeP
1. You can order a loose stone on-line and have it sent to an independent appraiser. The appraiser will verify the stone's properties.
2. Then you can have the stone mounted.
3. After it is mounted, you can take it back to the appraiser for an update. This usually costs $25-50. They will give you a certificate to give to the insurance company.
Experts please confirm for him (and me!),
JorgeP
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JorgeP has nailed my quandry. I don't really care if I get to see the stone loose before it's set (I have a ~1 month time limit for ordering / buying /setting /getting it), so I'd like to cut out unnecessary steps, fun though I'm sure the unset diamond would be to look at.
Thus, do I have it sent to an appraiser, and from him to be set by someone other than the original vendor, or can I have the vendor set it, then have it checked / appraised after having been set? And then, if it doesn't check out, I presumably wouldn't have to pay for the diamond or the setting? I guess I can ask the vendor that sort of thing.
Where are the best places to send diamonds for independent appraisal?
Thus, do I have it sent to an appraiser, and from him to be set by someone other than the original vendor, or can I have the vendor set it, then have it checked / appraised after having been set? And then, if it doesn't check out, I presumably wouldn't have to pay for the diamond or the setting? I guess I can ask the vendor that sort of thing.
Where are the best places to send diamonds for independent appraisal?
magna2
Shiny_Rock
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An appraiser can still appraise the diamond once it is set. It'll be harder for him to get the actual weight of the stone once set but he can still confirm a diamond's measurement, quality (color/clarity), etc.
Now if you would like to see the heart pattern, you can only see it in the unset stage. Once mounted in a setting, you can only view the arrow pattern. Unless you plan on snapping pictures of the hearts pattern for prosperity sake, avoid the hassle of running around or shipping back and forth to have the diamond set.
Having said that, if you are concern that you may not like the diamond and want to have it appraised before setting than go by the way of purchasing loose and get it appraised to ease your mind. It all depends on the amount of assurance you need prior to making a purchase. And being an expensive expenditure, I don't blame you for wanting it appraised first.
Now if you would like to see the heart pattern, you can only see it in the unset stage. Once mounted in a setting, you can only view the arrow pattern. Unless you plan on snapping pictures of the hearts pattern for prosperity sake, avoid the hassle of running around or shipping back and forth to have the diamond set.
Having said that, if you are concern that you may not like the diamond and want to have it appraised before setting than go by the way of purchasing loose and get it appraised to ease your mind. It all depends on the amount of assurance you need prior to making a purchase. And being an expensive expenditure, I don't blame you for wanting it appraised first.
Mara
Super_Ideal_Rock
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I'd feel comfortable ordering from certain online vendors and having it set without me seeing it first. But some people would want to check out the H&A patterns, or have their appraiser take a look at it, or maybe just aren't too sure how much they trust a vendor or similar. If you are on a tight timeline and don't feel the need to get the stone unset only to send it back to have it set...then just have it set at the vendor you buy it from. Before they set it, I would have them take pictures of it unset for you, so you at least have that from a history perspective (kind of fun). Then when you get it, you can get it appraised (or not) and you're all set.
We are looking at getting a small ACA for my fiance's wedding ring at some point soon and I would love to see the stone unset, even if it's only .25c. We got my stone and played with it for a few weeks with the loupe and all that...would be great to do that with his esp since his will be an ACA and I am sure quite amazing. Plus we aren't in a hurry at all, our wedding is not til May 2004!
We are looking at getting a small ACA for my fiance's wedding ring at some point soon and I would love to see the stone unset, even if it's only .25c. We got my stone and played with it for a few weeks with the loupe and all that...would be great to do that with his esp since his will be an ACA and I am sure quite amazing. Plus we aren't in a hurry at all, our wedding is not til May 2004!
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I think that if you are getting a certified diamond you should have it set by the company you are purchasing, 99% of our customers prefer that.
reasons:
1)We are responsible if the stone chips in the setting
2)Appraisal can work with the certificate as long as it is a world known lab, to verify if the charecteristics of the stone and can usually measure the diameter, even though it is in a ring.
3)stone will not be switched deliberatley or by mistake when you have it set by someone that you don't know, (and they might blame it on the internet co.claim that it was not them.)
4)you get it much cheaper then most jewlers charge for the ring and setting as we do much bigger volume and make our money on the diamonds not on the mounting.
5)you get a gift box with the ring in it ,so you can present it faster if you are in a hurry.
I go with getting it all made up where you getthe job done in one place only.
just my 2 cents of experience
reasons:
1)We are responsible if the stone chips in the setting
2)Appraisal can work with the certificate as long as it is a world known lab, to verify if the charecteristics of the stone and can usually measure the diameter, even though it is in a ring.
3)stone will not be switched deliberatley or by mistake when you have it set by someone that you don't know, (and they might blame it on the internet co.claim that it was not them.)
4)you get it much cheaper then most jewlers charge for the ring and setting as we do much bigger volume and make our money on the diamonds not on the mounting.
5)you get a gift box with the ring in it ,so you can present it faster if you are in a hurry.
I go with getting it all made up where you getthe job done in one place only.
just my 2 cents of experience
Ok...
Now, about appraisal.
1) Who are these independent appraisers? How do I find one? How do I know if they're trustworthy? Ie, how paranoid should I be?
2) Is this whole laser inscription thing worthwhile?
3) So... If the consensus seems to be to get the place I buy the diamond from to set it (which seems fine to me), do I have them send it to the appraiser of my choice, then back to them for setting, or do I have it set first, then to appraiser, then to me? Is there danger in this multiple-changing-of-hands? On the other hand, I do have ready access to microscopes that I could use to locate whatever inclusions are reported on the lab grading sheet, which is probably a pretty good indicator that you've gotten the stone you paid for, right?
Thanks to all for the advice, BTW. *Extremely* helpful!
Now, about appraisal.
1) Who are these independent appraisers? How do I find one? How do I know if they're trustworthy? Ie, how paranoid should I be?
2) Is this whole laser inscription thing worthwhile?
3) So... If the consensus seems to be to get the place I buy the diamond from to set it (which seems fine to me), do I have them send it to the appraiser of my choice, then back to them for setting, or do I have it set first, then to appraiser, then to me? Is there danger in this multiple-changing-of-hands? On the other hand, I do have ready access to microscopes that I could use to locate whatever inclusions are reported on the lab grading sheet, which is probably a pretty good indicator that you've gotten the stone you paid for, right?
Thanks to all for the advice, BTW. *Extremely* helpful!
canadiangrrl
Brilliant_Rock
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- Jun 10, 2003
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Hi Alechope,
There are a couple of regular contributors to this forum who are independent appraisers. Two that contribute frequently are Rich Sherwood and Dave Atlas. Many posters have used one or the other for their jewelry appraisal needs and have been quite satisfied. They are both seasoned professionals and I don't think you can go wrong with either.
This is the way we are doing it - we ordered the stone, and had it shipped to the dealer (in this case, DCD.) DCD checked the stone out for us, and gave it a thumbs up. They were open to answering any questions we may have had about the diamond, and dealing with any potential concerns/issues. We had chosen a setting from DCD, and had them set the stone for us. Once the ring had been completed, we requested that DCD then send the finished ring to Rich Sherwood for an appraisal. Rich will then send the ring and appraisal back to us.
If there had been any problems whatsover with the ring (not that we were anticipating any) Rich would have notified us immediately. An independent appraiser is there to serve as your professional "eyes." He/she is being paid by you to act in your best interests.
You may wish to have the stone evaluated by an appraiser prior to having it set. There are many that choose to go this route. A Sarin or Megascope report can't be run on a diamond in a setting. Some wish to have independent testing done on the diamond. If you feel more comfortable having the stone appraised prior to having it set, then by all means, do it. We just didn't feel it was a necessary step, and preferred to have the entire ring appraised upon completion.
As for laser inscription, I can't really give you an answer on that, since it wasn't something that concerned me when we were searching for our diamond. As it happens, this diamond is AGS certed and comes with an inscription number on the girdle of the stone.
There's a certain amount of trust involved in making any purchase site unseen. And needless to say, this isn't just any purchase.
Having an independent appraiser involved can definitely help to lessen the anxiety.
There are a couple of regular contributors to this forum who are independent appraisers. Two that contribute frequently are Rich Sherwood and Dave Atlas. Many posters have used one or the other for their jewelry appraisal needs and have been quite satisfied. They are both seasoned professionals and I don't think you can go wrong with either.
This is the way we are doing it - we ordered the stone, and had it shipped to the dealer (in this case, DCD.) DCD checked the stone out for us, and gave it a thumbs up. They were open to answering any questions we may have had about the diamond, and dealing with any potential concerns/issues. We had chosen a setting from DCD, and had them set the stone for us. Once the ring had been completed, we requested that DCD then send the finished ring to Rich Sherwood for an appraisal. Rich will then send the ring and appraisal back to us.
If there had been any problems whatsover with the ring (not that we were anticipating any) Rich would have notified us immediately. An independent appraiser is there to serve as your professional "eyes." He/she is being paid by you to act in your best interests.
You may wish to have the stone evaluated by an appraiser prior to having it set. There are many that choose to go this route. A Sarin or Megascope report can't be run on a diamond in a setting. Some wish to have independent testing done on the diamond. If you feel more comfortable having the stone appraised prior to having it set, then by all means, do it. We just didn't feel it was a necessary step, and preferred to have the entire ring appraised upon completion.
As for laser inscription, I can't really give you an answer on that, since it wasn't something that concerned me when we were searching for our diamond. As it happens, this diamond is AGS certed and comes with an inscription number on the girdle of the stone.
There's a certain amount of trust involved in making any purchase site unseen. And needless to say, this isn't just any purchase.
ok, I'm closing in on a diamond, and hopefully will be ordering soon.
Now! If I more or less trust these folks, I can have the diamond: set by the company, sent to the appraiser, then sent to me, correct? And then, with his appraisal, I can have it insured if I wish?
one other question: what are the pros and cons of, say, 4-prongs versus 6-prongs? Is it purely aesthetic preference, or is there more going on here than that? Is there one y'all would recommend more for a ~1 ct. diamond?
Thanks so much yet again!!
Now! If I more or less trust these folks, I can have the diamond: set by the company, sent to the appraiser, then sent to me, correct? And then, with his appraisal, I can have it insured if I wish?
one other question: what are the pros and cons of, say, 4-prongs versus 6-prongs? Is it purely aesthetic preference, or is there more going on here than that? Is there one y'all would recommend more for a ~1 ct. diamond?
Thanks so much yet again!!
Mara
Super_Ideal_Rock
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4 prongs tend to make the stone look slightly more squarish (also depending on width of prongs....slim prongs hide themselves better) while 6 prongs tend to make the stone look slightly more round due to placement of the prongs.
I personally would not 6 prong a 1c stone, because I don't think 1c is that big, and I would not want the prongs to take up alot of room on the stone. I would only 6 prong maybe a 1.5c+ stone (personal preference). But I know others have 6 pronged a 1c stone and been happy with it....it's a personal thing.
I had our stone set into 4 prongs and asked to have them made as small as possible to minimize the squarish look. Its really a preference thing, take a look at some 4 and 6 prong settings in person with 1c or similar stones (B&M's will have these) and see what you like to look at.
I personally would not 6 prong a 1c stone, because I don't think 1c is that big, and I would not want the prongs to take up alot of room on the stone. I would only 6 prong maybe a 1.5c+ stone (personal preference). But I know others have 6 pronged a 1c stone and been happy with it....it's a personal thing.
I had our stone set into 4 prongs and asked to have them made as small as possible to minimize the squarish look. Its really a preference thing, take a look at some 4 and 6 prong settings in person with 1c or similar stones (B&M's will have these) and see what you like to look at.
canadiangrrl
Brilliant_Rock
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- Jun 10, 2003
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It's truly a matter of personal preference. The six-prong setting gets my vote because it's such a timeless look. Six prongs will make the stone look round instead of slightly squared off. It also makes the diamond look a little bit like a flower in my eyes.
Six prongs are also more secure than four, and the prongs tend to be thinner & less clunky looking.
Edited because I neglected to answer your question - yes, those are the steps you can follow with respect to ordering your ring, having it set, and having it appraised for insurance purposes. Have the vendor ship the completed ring to your chosen appraiser, who will in turn ship the ring back to you once the appraisal has been completed.
Edited because I neglected to answer your question - yes, those are the steps you can follow with respect to ordering your ring, having it set, and having it appraised for insurance purposes. Have the vendor ship the completed ring to your chosen appraiser, who will in turn ship the ring back to you once the appraisal has been completed.
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