Process of shipping loose diamond

[whatamilookingat]

Hi everyone, I'm trying to begin the process of having a loose diamond set. We decided to do a semi? custom job with Ivy and Rose, but have never sent a loose diamond out before.

I just have a few questions about the process. Ilya said to send it through UPS. I figured maybe put it in a ziploc bag, then an old jewelry box, then wrap it so it's not obviously jewelry. Does this sound safe? Is UPS reliable? We are mostly familiar with doing things through FedEx and would prefer that, but they seem to want us to use UPS.

I also wonder if sending it with a label that says Ivy and Rose right on it is safe? Will it announce to people who may know the company, "Hey, there's jewelry in there."

I was also a little apprehensive because we don't pay anything right now since they need to have the diamond in hand to finalize anything, so we are just sending the diamond in with no order slips or agreements about what we're doing or anything. Is this normal?

Sorry if I seem paranoid. I know Ivy and Rose is a very reputable company, and they have been very timely and professional in their responses to us. I just want to do this the right way and not be sorry we didn't do our due diligence. Thank you.

 

[Bron357]

I sent a pink sapphire from Australia to Ivy & Rose for setting. I bought a lovely pre loved setting from them. I used a plastic gem jar and a small box, so the parcel size wasn’t too small. I just wrote pink crystal on the shipping forms and sent it tracked, signed for delivery. It got there no worries, they set my sapphire into the ring setting I’d bought from them and sent it back to me.

 

[whatamilookingat]

I sent a pink sapphire from Australia to Ivy & Rose for setting. I bought a lovely pre loved setting from them. I used a plastic gem jar and a small box, so the parcel size wasn’t too small. I just wrote pink crystal on the shipping forms and sent it tracked, signed for delivery. It got there no worries, they set my sapphire into the ring setting I’d bought from them and sent it back to me.

I'm glad to hear how smoothly your project went. I've heard good things about Ivy and Rose, and so far we are very happy with our interactions with them as well.

You didn't have any qualms about writing the name of a jewelry store for the address portion on your package? If everyone does this without problems I guess I'd feel more at ease. Thank you for your help.

 

[xxxxxx]

If you insure the shipment I wouldn’t be worried at all!

 

[kb1gra]

Considering they used to be called "Diamond zone" I think Ivy and Rose is less risky.

I have sent things using vendor names all the time. That said they have always sent me a label, I think due to insurance reasons.

 

[Slickk]

I have shipped stones to different vendors. I typically use USPS insured and signature required and have never had a problem. I think UPS allows a higher insured amount for jewelry(?) than Fedex.
My last shipped stone, the jeweler sent me a UPS label. Good luck.

 

[lovedogs]

Ups is reliable, and I wouldn't worry about the name "ivy and rose" being on the box. As long as you ship it according to their instructions and insure it, you will be fine.

 

[1ofakind]

The last time I had to send several things of higher value and it made me a bit anxious too. UPS had to verify what was in the package because of the insurance amount. They took me in the back room where I could see them do the final packing with the address label and everything was in my sight the entire time. I felt very good about that. Everything that has been shipped to me from vendors has also been UPS...never had an issue (knock on wood!).

 

[meesmom]

You could send it registered mail. which is super safe but super slow...and you have to that silly tape the PO has that needs to be wetted, ugh. I second insuring. I usually zipper bag, box, and use one of those bubble padded envelopes. It looks inconspicuous, and if someone messes with it, it will be obvious ( I use a lot of packing tape, so that it needs to be ripped open).

I send out jewelry all the time, and I've only had one piece ever lost. It was a Babylicious pendant by Barry Kronen. But it was found and sent to me, 2 weeks later.

 

[denverappraiser]

I don’t know about Ivy but often retailers will have insurance that specifies particular shipping methods. Ask them. As a general rule, USPS registered mail is the safest and most secure shipping method available to individuals shipping from a US address to another US address.

Packing is fairly easy. Double box. Put the piece in a plastic bag and tape it to the inside wall of the inside box. Put the address information on both boxes as well as on a note inside. Make sure to include who YOU are and what you want so the jeweler can do the job or at least contact you for further instructions. Include a packing list with things like certs, appraisals, boxes, and anything else in the package that isn't disposable packing materials. Don’t use words like Gems and Jewelry on the outside of the package and if you are worried about the company name, use acronyms. My company is American Gem Registry, llc. for example. People send me things addressed to AGR lab, or use my personal name. A warning here. I’m in a fairly large building. There are hundreds of companies here. Others are even worse. Make sure to get suite numbers right, especially if you’re going to use a name that the carrier might not recognize.

UPS and FedEx retail services both have fairly severe insurance limits and they are not the same for all services available. Make sure you understand what you are buying. I’ll add that another common scenario is for the jeweler to pull a FedEx or UPS ticket so that THEY are the shipper of record. This is so they can use 3rd party insurance companies. It’s a good reason and normally consumers can’t do it. In these cases, follow the jeweler’s instructions to the letter. They’re usually not that hard.

 

[whatamilookingat]

Thank you everyone for your help! I will be referencing this thread when we send the stone out. I know it's an easy process, but I'm the anxious type and want to do it right. You've all helped me feel more at ease about the process.

 

[oldminer]

Please read the list of prohibited items UPS publishes:
https://www.ups.com/gb/en/help-center/shipping-support/prohibited-items.page

A jewelry industry dealer with certain arrangements may provide you a UPS label for an unset diamond to be sent with private insurance coverage, but UPS will not cover the loss of unset gems. If they know what is in the package, they will not even transport it. You must have a label provided by a dealer who has this ongoing arrangements with UPS. Don't just assume you can do the shipping and be insured by declaring a value. It won't work.

 

[whatamilookingat]

Please read the list of prohibited items UPS publishes:
https://www.ups.com/gb/en/help-center/shipping-support/prohibited-items.page

A jewelry industry dealer with certain arrangements may provide you a UPS label for an unset diamond to be sent with private insurance coverage, but UPS will not cover the loss of unset gems. If they know what is in the package, they will not even transport it. You must have a label provided by a dealer who has this ongoing arrangements with UPS. Don't just assume you can do the shipping and be insured by declaring a value. It won't work.

Thank you so much for this information. We will be in contact with Ivy and Rose to see how to best move forward from here.

 

[headlight]

When I sent my two (large) stones to Brian Gavin for recutting they had me do through USPS Registered mail. There is a specific procedure for packaging that they will help you with at the post office. (You don’t need to tell them it’s a diamond.). Items being sent Registered are handled in a specific way, separate from regular mail. My package was insured for well over $60,000.

 

[whatamilookingat]

When I sent my two (large) stones to Brian Gavin for recutting they had me do through USPS Registered mail. There is a specific procedure for packaging that they will help you with at the post office. (You don’t need to tell them it’s a diamond.). Items being sent Registered are handled in a specific way, separate from regular mail. My package was insured for well over $60,000.

Good to know. I just looked up FedEx earlier and it also had prohibited items including fine jewelry and both cut and uncut gems. It seems USPS may be our only option unless we get a label from the vendor. We were hesitant to use USPS because we have heard local stories of packages going missing at the post office, but many people on this forum seem to have no issues. Thanks for the information.