recommendation on appraisal/certification

[topcatskin]

i have recently purchased a stone from a company that supplies their own certification. Before i get the stone mounted, should I get it certified by one of the gem companies, GIA, etc? For appraisal purposes, is it better to have the stone certified, or is an appraiser able to appraise accurately by looking at the stone in a mount? Also, can a stone be certified after mounting?

IF the answer is YEs, get the stone certified before mounting, then how do I find a local company that does that (MD). Should a person keep eyes on, should I be leery of certifications and appraisals that require more than a day?

Some companies like NSC provide their own certiifcation? How accurate are these typically?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Kismet]

Some of the experts can chime in here, but I wouldn''t think you''d necessarily need to send it to a lab. You should bring it to an appraiser to make sure you''ve received what the paperwork says you''ve received, and I would do this before it''s mounted, especially if you''re sending it out to be mounted. Although it''s unlikely that you''ll need it, it''s nice to have a check that the stone you gave the jeweler is the one you received in return.

And, of course, we need pics here too so that we can ooh and awww over it.

 

[topcatskin]

thanks...i will

 

[Fly Girl]

Date: 6/27/2008 4:21:01 PM
Author: Kismet
Some of the experts can chime in here, but I wouldn't think you'd necessarily need to send it to a lab. You should bring it to an appraiser to make sure you've received what the paperwork says you've received, and I would do this before it's mounted, especially if you're sending it out to be mounted. Although it's unlikely that you'll need it, it's nice to have a check that the stone you gave the jeweler is the one you received in return.

And, of course, we need pics here too so that we can ooh and awww over it.

I think this is good advice. Personally, I don't worry too much about appraisals if I didn't pay all that much for the stone. But, I am currently looking at a ruby, and since I'm paying a premium for an unheated, burmese ruby (and I will be sending it out to be set to a place I have never used before), I am taking it to an appraiser before having it mounted. Just want to be sure I get an unheated burmese ruby back after it has been set.

As for finding the appraiser, there is a list on PS of appraiers by state. (link) I found mine from a recommendation by a local jewelry designer who specializes in colored stones.