- Joined
- Jun 29, 2008
- Messages
- 10,261
Shaun please stop going into attack mode. It's not necessary to take things to such a personal level. I don't think anybody was doubting your knowledge or skill.
Having said that, I'd like to be blunt. You're not a trained gemmologist. It doesn't matter how long you've spent using a microscope it doesn't mean you can't be duped (and, like me, you've said this has happened to you). Only labs with highly sophisticated equipment can give definitive answers. Some of us have microscopes and knowledge to use and larger than average gemstone collections but it doesn't mean we're always right. Some of us have taken courses. However, without the necessary equipment we can have a feeling and are "normally" right just on instinct alone but that's not definitive.
Trained Appraisers can be duped as they are only human! There are excellent fakes and treatments out there that can't be assessed by microscope/inclusions alone. As I said, only lab testing will give definitive answers.
If in doubt and it's within your budget and you want to have 100% assurance then send to a lab. If you're happy with your own expertise then don't. If I bought a gemstone as valuable as a Pad on Ebay and I thought it was real, I'd be sending it off for certification immediately. That's my personal choice and it may not be yours.
Having said that, I'd like to be blunt. You're not a trained gemmologist. It doesn't matter how long you've spent using a microscope it doesn't mean you can't be duped (and, like me, you've said this has happened to you). Only labs with highly sophisticated equipment can give definitive answers. Some of us have microscopes and knowledge to use and larger than average gemstone collections but it doesn't mean we're always right. Some of us have taken courses. However, without the necessary equipment we can have a feeling and are "normally" right just on instinct alone but that's not definitive.
Trained Appraisers can be duped as they are only human! There are excellent fakes and treatments out there that can't be assessed by microscope/inclusions alone. As I said, only lab testing will give definitive answers.
If in doubt and it's within your budget and you want to have 100% assurance then send to a lab. If you're happy with your own expertise then don't. If I bought a gemstone as valuable as a Pad on Ebay and I thought it was real, I'd be sending it off for certification immediately. That's my personal choice and it may not be yours.
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