Question about mailing and insuring diamonds

[jaysonsmom]

Ok, not sure if this is a stupid question…..How should I mail a diamond ring to be reset? What mailing service is the most reliable, and how should I label the item and insure it? This is the first time I’ll be doing something like this, and I’m really nervous. It’s my e-ring, appraisal value is $8K, and I don’t have insurance on it. I am purchasing another setting from an on-line dealer, and they are going to set the stone for me. I don’t want them to mail me an empty setting, and then pay an outrageous amount of money to have it set by a local jeweler that I didn’t purchase the setting from. Please help.

 

[denverappraiser]

jaysonsmom,

I wouldn''t count on the local jeweler charging an unreasonable fee without asking them. They may be less than the shipping costs and they will almost certainly be faster.

In answer to your question, if you are sending the ring from a US address to a different US address, most people prefer to use USPS registered mail. You can buy specific insurance at the post office to cover the value of your package while it''s in their care.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA
Independent Appraisals in Denver

 

[pearcrazy]

US Postal service, UPS, and FedEx will all ship reliably. Just make sure you purchase enough insurance to cover the diamond if they lose it.

Don''t have the outside of the package marked with anything that indicates what might be inside. For example, if you are shipping to say Fred''s Diamonds and Jewelry, make sure the package only says something Like-- FDJ attention: Fred Anything else might be a temptation for someone working in shipping to steal it. I have my theory that something similar happened to me as I was mailing a payment to a jeweler.

 

[jaysonsmom]

What if the vendor is not in the US. Is there a higher risk? Most local jewelers I''ve asked are charging around $200-$350 to set a 1.50ct stone. Is this unreasonable? For that amound I could''ve just purchased a setting locally. I thought I was saving by ordering a setting from an on-line vendor.

 

[pearcrazy]

That setting fee seems awfully high to me, I think I''d ask around some more. I had my diamond head replaced on my existing mounting and the jeweler set my diamond for $65. My diamond was 1.12 but I don''t think the size would have impacted his fee one way or the other. UPS and FedEX should be able to ship worldwide with no problems. There''s just the time factor, cost of shipping two ways, and the possibility of the ring being lost or stolen each way.

 

[Regular Guy]

Also...and I''m sure DCD has a lot of experience mailing diamonds...but when they mailed the finished diamond, set in the ring, to the appraiser, it was a known protocol that the box would be within a box...maybe 4 - 5 boxes. Possibly there was some protection at work...not sure of the entire strategy (maybe Jim will share?), but his jeweler probably did this to make it not look like there was a ring inside...more like a bulky sweater.

The drill seemed like it was part of their tradition.

 

[pqcollectibles]

Have you checked with the Vendor you are purchasing from to learn what their normal proceedures are??

Most Vendors want you to contact them first before shipping an item to them. The Vendor will most likely give you a Return Authorization Number (RAN) and instruct you on the form of shipment they require. In the US, that''s typically USPS Registered Insured mail. If the Vendor is outside the US, they may have a preferred method of shipment.

 

[denverappraiser]

Date: 2/25/2005 2:47:50 PM
Author: jaysonsmom
What if the vendor is not in the US. Is there a higher risk? Most local jewelers I''ve asked are charging around $200-$350 to set a 1.50ct stone. Is this unreasonable? For that amound I could''ve just purchased a setting locally. I thought I was saving by ordering a setting from an on-line vendor.

shipping back and forth to a vendor across international borders can be a significant pain because of customs delays, paperwork, taxes, etc. Where are you? Perhaps someone can recommend a jeweler in your neighborhood who they can recommend. That fee seems pretty high unless there are some very strange things going on with the design.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA
Independent Appraisals in Denver

 

[pqcollectibles]

That setting fee does seem high!!

Just curious, but if the diamond goes out of the States, won''t Kimberly Cert info have to be filed?? If so, won''t that require a jeweler or appraiser to complete??

 

[fire&ice]

For an individual, USPS Registered mail isn''t the quickest BUT - it''s by far the safest. Fed ex will not insure jewelry over $500.00, if they will at all. Most vendors have shipper''s insurance privately. In that case, use the vendor''s choice.

If you are overseas, I don''t know what is the best way. Ask the vendor what works well for them. They should know the procedures.