Questions about appraisal

[kthan]

I am currently in the process of selecting stones across the vendors and have some questions about independent appraisal.

For reference, I''ve contacted an indepdendent appraiser (Richard Drucker) recommended by PS. But, he doesn''t allow the vendor to
send the stone directly to him for appraisal. I have to purchase the stone first and bring it in person for appraisal.
I don''t know if this is normal or not. But, I want to ask if in-person appraisal (: bring the stone and have it appraised) is better than
remote appraisal (not attended at appraisal)? I don''t think so because many reputable appraisers will personally contact me
about the appraisal, as well as the appraisal report (correct me, if I am incorrect) Then, how about purchase process? It seems to me easier and convenient to buy the stone after appraisal. how about your opinions?

Also, I was told that to appraise a loose stone is more accurate than the stone with setting. It seems to be more conveient as well because I can do it locally. To me, the stone is for my aunt overseas. So, all I have to do is to have the stone set in a simpliest 14k ring. But, I am wondering how easily (and safely) I can have it set at a local jeweler. Since the stone is not purchased at a store, I am little worried about the case (I may not get the same stone as I bought... am I too far?), just in case. I do know there is a laser inscription for this purpse. Is it really worth? I know it is not returnable once inscribed. How about for future trading (to a new stone)?

How thoroughly do I get the stone appraised? The main purpose of appraisal seems to be to confirm the inital evaluation of the certificate (GIA, AGS, etc.), other reports (like Sarin reports) and images. But, how about the additional categories (like brilliance, sparkle, integrity, H&A pattern, etc.). Different appraisers have different categories to be appraised. Some have more categories than others. I do not know how much useful to have the stone examined in these additional categories.

Do I have to get an fair price analysis (estimate)? I would happy if my stone values more than I paid. But, I don''t know if I need to have this estimate at the time of appraisal (some appraisal reports do not include this part).

Given the information, if I decide to go with remote (out of state) appraiser, who would you recommend to try? I know everyone listed in PS is excellent. That''s why it seems to be more difficult to choose.

Thank you for your advice in advance.

 

[Richard Sherwood]

Date: 9/16/2005 5:23:38 PM
Author:kthan

1. For reference, I've contacted an indepdendent appraiser (Richard Drucker) recommended by PS. But, he doesn't allow the vendor to send the stone directly to him for appraisal. I have to purchase the stone first and bring it in person for appraisal. I don't know if this is normal or not.

Richard Drucker is a fine appraiser. I'm not sure why he doesn't allow stones to be sent directly to him, but I suspect it is because he is a cautious man, and that is a security measure of some sort.

2. But, I want to ask if in-person appraisal (: bring the stone and have it appraised) is better than remote appraisal (not attended at appraisal)? I don't think so because many reputable appraisers will personally contact me about the appraisal, as well as the appraisal report (correct me, if I am incorrect)

You're correct. The main advantage to an in-person appraisal is that you will be able to view the diamond personally. That's always a lot of fun.

3. Then, how about purchase process? It seems to me easier and convenient to buy the stone after appraisal. how about your opinions?

I would tend to agree.

4. Also, I was told that to appraise a loose stone is more accurate than the stone with setting. It seems to be more conveient as well because I can do it locally.

Yes. A loose stone appraisal is the most accurate, although most appraisers can work around a mounted stone pretty well, especially if it has thorough documentation to start with (especially a major lab report and accurate OGI or Sarin report).

5. To me, the stone is for my aunt overseas. So, all I have to do is to have the stone set in a simpliest 14k ring. But, I am wondering how easily (and safely) I can have it set at a local jeweler. Since the stone is not purchased at a store, I am little worried about the case (I may not get the same stone as I bought... am I too far?), just in case. I do know there is a laser inscription for this purpse. Is it really worth? I know it is not returnable once inscribed.

Your major lab report and appraisal should suffice for stone identification. Laser inscription is nice, but not necessary.

The main thing you want to pay attention to in regards to a jeweler setting the diamond is that they are of high integrity and have an excellent diamond setter. Try and choose a jeweler referred by friends, family or even other jewelers. Note also that many jewelers will not accept responsibility for a stone not purchased at their store, but if they have an excellent setter that's probably a moot point.

Personally, if it were me, I would take the extra time, trouble and shipping charges to have the selling vendor mount the stone after having it appraised, if you want it appraised loose. Or possibly have them set it and have it appraised mounted. That way you don't have to worry about somebody not assuming responsibility in the remote chance of any damage occurring. The selling vendor will accept responsibility in that event.

6. How about (laser inscription) for future trading (to a new stone)?

It shouldn't be a problem, but you might ask the vendor up front to be sure.

7. How thoroughly do I get the stone appraised? The main purpose of appraisal seems to be to confirm the inital evaluation of the certificate (GIA, AGS, etc.), other reports (like Sarin reports) and images. But, how about the additional categories (like brilliance, sparkle, integrity, H&A pattern, etc.). Different appraisers have different categories to be appraised. Some have more categories than others. I do not know how much useful to have the stone examined in these additional categories.

I just do it all instead of relying on other people's opinions. I figure that's what I'm getting paid for. An impartial, unbiased, knowledgeable second opinion on everything represented. The more thorough the better. It's the one point in time you're going to have to make sure that everything's as it should be. It doesn't help to find out later that it wasn't.

8. Do I have to get an fair price analysis (estimate)? I would happy if my stone values more than I paid. But, I don't know if I need to have this estimate at the time of appraisal (some appraisal reports do not include this part).

Most appraisers will give you a retail figure for insurance purposes. You need an appraisal with retail replacement value in order to insure the item.

9. Given the information, if I decide to go with remote (out of state) appraiser, who would you recommend to try? I know everyone listed in PS is excellent. That's why it seems to be more difficult to choose.

I hear that Neil guy in Denver is pretty good, if you can catch him sober. That RockDoc fellow in Boca Raton is supposed to have a deadly eye and instrumentation up the wazoo, but be careful his report doesn't throw your back out. That Oldminer fellow gives RockDoc a run for his money with instrumentation, but he's not as pretty.

Then I hear there's a few other good appraisers out there too...

10. Thank you for your advice in advance.

No problem, my pleasure.

 

[currada]

Well since Richard Sherwood isn''t going to toot his own horn- I''ll do it for him. I used Richard recently
and was very happy with the service I received. He allowed me to send a sapphire I was considering
directly to him for a pre-purchase appraisal. He contacted me within 48 hours of receiving the stone
and emailed me with the preliminary info so I was then able to decide if the stone was what the seller
claimed it to be and if it was even a contender.

I have had several appraisals here locally- ones where I was on hand- but I didn''t feel like I received more
detailed info just because I was there. I actually received more info from Richard than I received from the
appraiser that I was able to sit with during the process.

The others listed by Richard are just as great- I just haven''t had a chance to use them.

Darlene

 

[Richard Sherwood]

That was an interesting sapphire that Darlene had sent to me.

Represented by the dealer as of Burma origin, it turned out to be Sri Lankan. If I remember correctly, he also thought it was unheated, but it turned out to be a heated stone. (He was going on his own observations and what he had been told by the private individual he had received the sapphire from, and had not had the stone verified yet by a knowledgeable lab. I don''t think it was deliberate misrepresentation.)

Still and all, it was a gorgeous sapphire for a reasonable price. Darlene passed on it only because she was looking for an unheated Burma in particular.

 

[kthan]

Richard, Thank you for your detailed answers to my question.

I visited the web page of your lab and tried to see a sample report. But, I couldn''t see it. It would be great
if you let me know the way to see it. Also, if possible, can you let me know how long it would take to have an appraisal
done after you received the stone?

I also agree with currada that in-person appraisal doesn''t necessarily give
more info about the stone except I can physically see it. That''s why we need to request a highly reliable appraiser
for getting detailed and accurate info about the stone. As someone mentioned in the other thread, what I want to get
from an appraiser is not only a highly accurate (technical) raw data about the stone, but trustworthy comments on
the stone from a professional human.

 

[Richard Sherwood]

Date: 9/17/2005 8:56:49 PM
Author: kthan

I visited the web page of your lab and tried to see a sample report. But, I couldn''t see it. It would be great if you let me know the way to see it.

I haven''t got the sample reports loaded on the site yet. If you''ll pm me with your email address I''ll send you some scans of sample reports.

Also, if possible, can you let me know how long it would take to have an appraisal
done after you received the stone?

I''m running a 3 to 5 business day turn around time right now.

As someone mentioned in the other thread, what I want to get from an appraiser is not only a highly accurate (technical) raw data about the stone, but trustworthy comments on
the stone from a professional human.

I''m highly qualified as a human.

 

[mrssalvo]

Any of the appraisers here are super and I would feel comfortable recommending any of them. Rich actually did my appraisal several months ago. I shipped a ring to him. He was very quick to answer all my nagging emails

and the actual folder of info on my stone (appraisal) was awesome. skybluewater posted some of the pics from his appraisal by Rich in this thread

 

[kthan]

Thanks mrssalvo. I saw a sample report from Richard.

Richard, I hope the vendor I will work with for my stone will be able to send it to you.

 

[ame]

Date: 9/17/2005 10:14:48 PM
Author: Richard Sherwood

Date: 9/17/2005 8:56:49 PM



I''m highly qualified as a human.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHHA! That''s awesome.

 

[BigVig]

Anyone have an experience with Gem Secure based in Los Angeles to share (good or bad) ?

Also, what sort of information should I require from my appraiser in order to have the best possible protection/documentation when/if I ever have an insurance claim? I''m guessing the more detailed, the better.

Finally, what is a fair rate for an appraisal of a loose round diamond, roughly 1.3 ct

 

[RockDoc]

Date: 9/19/2005 4:28:18 PM
Author: BigVig
Anyone have an experience with Gem Secure based in Los Angeles to share (good or bad) ?

Also, what sort of information should I require from my appraiser in order to have the best possible protection/documentation when/if I ever have an insurance claim? I''m guessing the more detailed, the better.

Finally, what is a fair rate for an appraisal of a loose round diamond, roughly 1.3 ct

The fees are comsurate with what the appraiser provides. Check the appraisers link here on the forum at the top of the page, you can see most of the information as to what the appraiser charges, what he is able to do, his educational credentials, and the equipment he has.

Link to each one''s website, then I''d suggest you call the appraisers you are impressed with and chat with them about the assignment. Then selecting who you''d prefer will be a lot easier.

Rockdoc