Question about appraisals

[NJGuy]

I just discovered this site today so I''m a bit of a novice at this.

I have a couple of questions. How do you really know if they GIA cert you are given is for the diamond they are showing you? I know you could match the inclusions on the diamond with the inclusions shown on the report, but what about a VS1 clarity. Will you still be able to do this? How do you know the report goes with the diamond?

My second question is, when you get your diamond appraised how do you know they are returning the same diamond you gave them? Wouldn''t it be easy for them to swap and give you a lower quality diamond? Does this ever happen? How do you guard against this?

Thanks in advance.

 

[dimonbob]

Welcome to the forum.

Two very good questions. You started out asking about appraisals. Then you ask about how you would know the certificate matched the diamond. While you are at the appraisers have him place the diamond in the microscope and focus in on the inclusions so that they match the plot on the diamond grading report. You will then see for yourself. If they don't match up, someone has messed up big time and would probably like both the diamond and the cert back. Things like that do happen, but not usually on purpose.

Usually when you get an appraisal, you are sitting in the room with the appraiser. Just keep your eyes open and don't say much. When I was doing appraising, I always had the owner sitting across from me. But they knew I charged by the time, not the job. If they started asking questions, I just stopped and looked at them and answered any questions. If they got too chatty, I reminded them that the clock was running. Back to switching diamonds. I have never had first hand knowledge of some appraiser switching anyone's diamond. I suppose it could happen. Just hold off asking them to look at the inclusions and the certificate so you can see them together until the appraiser is done with the diamond. That is a sure fire way of knowing you have your diamond back. If you have a branded diamond like some that are sold on the internet, you can also check the laser inscription on the girdle of the diamond.

 

[Richard Sherwood]

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How do you really know if they GIA cert you are given is for the
diamond they are showing you? I know you could match the inclusions
on the diamond with the inclusions shown on the report, but what about
a VS1 clarity. Will you still be able to do this? How do you know
the report goes with the diamond?
-----------

There are many characteristics which an appraiser can check to verify that the stone matches the cert. These would include:

The carat weight
The length, width and depth measurements
The color
The fluorescence
The clarity, with inclusions verified against diagram
The table size
The crown height (if an AGS or EGL cert, or Sarin/Megascoped stone)
The crown angle (if an AGS cert, or a Sarin/Megascoped stone)
The girdle thickness
The pavilion depth (if an AGS or EGL cert, or Sarin/Megascoped stone)
The pavilion angle (if an AGS cert, or a Sarin/Megascoped stone)
The culet size
The polish and symmetry grade (particularly the symmetry grade)

There's not going to be any two stones which will match up in all these details. Diamonds are like snowflakes, no two are ever exactly the same.

For a quick matchup, carat weight, LxWxD measurements, fluorescence and a clarity diagram matchup usually suffices. It's not that hard really, and with a little coaching you will be able to recognize your own diamond every time.

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My second question is, when you get your diamond appraised how do you
know they are returning the same diamond you gave them?
-----------

If you have a while-you-wait appointment setup for your appraisal, you'll be able to watch the process. I always take elaborate pains to make sure the diamond never leaves the client's sight while performing an appraisal. I also start and end every appraisal by weighing the stone in front of the customer, and showing them how to identify the "grade maker" inclusion, or some other characteristic of the stone.

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Wouldn't it be easy for them to swap and give you a lower quality
diamond? Does this ever happen? How do you guard against this?
-----------

In actuality, this happens very rarely. If you operate with well known, recommended appraisers with established history and references I would say the chances of it occurring essentially drop to zero. They make their living doing appraisals. One instance of them getting caught doing something stupid and their whole livelihood is destroyed. It's just not economically smart, not to mention illegal, immoral and unethical. I can't imagine it happening, for example, with anyone listed on the PriceScope recommended appraisers list.

However, in answer to your question how to guard against this, I would have the appraiser show you at least three ways in which to identify your diamond upon picking it up. The quick matchup I mentioned above of carat weight, LxWxD measurements, fluorescence and locating a grade maker inclusion that clicks with the diagram should work well. This doesn't take long, and can be shown to you upon dropping off and picking up your diamond.

Also, use your "antenna" and "gut instinct". If anything about the appraiser sets off your alarm bells, or if he's unhelpful, uncooperative or generally has a bad attitude, blow him off. There's plenty others who would love to have your business.