Recommended to see an appraiser before buying?

[princesultan]

Hello everyone,

Just wondering, if you have a GIA report, is it still generally good to go see an appraiser before buying a loose diamond? Is there a point? Thoughts?

 

[princesultan]

Forgot to add, should I see the appraiser before I purchase the stone, after the ring is completed or for both?

 

[Gypsy]

Why would you want to or need to? If it's a mindclean issue, sure. Otherwise I see no value in it. You are buying the GIA specs based on the document. In each spec there is a range -- there are High and Low G's there are borderline VS-SI stones. Even if the individual appraiser doesn't agree with the GIA document 100% the GIA document is what sets your price.

Also a good vendor like BGD (Brian) or Infinity (Paul and Wink and John) or GOG (Jon) will be able to you if they think the GIA document is generous or not. If you have concerns just get the right expert at the vendor you are working with on the phone and say... listen I know that color and clarity are ranges. Can you examine the stone against GIA masters and tell me if you think the stone is a high G or a low one, or if the clarity grade is strict or lenient.

 

[TravelingGal]

With a respected PS vendor, I wouldn't now. But I've been here for years and have more knowledge. Back when I was getting engaged, I wanted an appraiser to see it...if only to verify I was getting what the paper said. I also was a noob, so she gave me the thumbs up on the optics of the stone...as we all know with cushions, the GIA report doesn't tell you how it will perform. She said it was one of the nicest she'd seen, so that helped me a lot. The stone was pulled out of virtual inventory that WF just sold to me, so I didn't really have much to go on. And I wanted an independent appraiser to tell me about the optics, NOT the vendor selling it to me.

Back then, 90 bucks spent with Jennifer Thornton Davis was well worth it for a lifetime of peace of mind for a diamond I'd never give up.

 

[princesultan]

I was told to see an appraiser from a friend but he doesn't really know what he's talking about either. I was just wondering if it's common practice to see one before purchasing the stone or after making the ring. I'll be buying from a reputable jeweler locally who has done work for my family and friends. The diamond also has a GIA report. The report was dated 2007. To me the diamond looks great, I just don't know if people usually get these things looked at before actually buying it. Maybe the appraiser will point to something wrong with the diamond?

 

[TravelingGal]

I was told to see an appraiser from a friend but he doesn't really know what he's talking about either. I was just wondering if it's common practice to see one before purchasing the stone or after making the ring. I'll be buying from a reputable jeweler locally who has done work for my family and friends. The diamond also has a GIA report. The report was dated 2007. To me the diamond looks great, I just don't know if people usually get these things looked at before actually buying it. Maybe the appraiser will point to something wrong with the diamond?

WF sent the stone directly to my appraiser. I didn't have to purchase it. She verified what the report said, then sent it back to WF. They then set it and sent it BACK to Jennifer, where she confirmed again that the stone was what I had purchased. At that point, she did the full appraisal on the ring and my husband picked up the ring from her. It was a really nice way to do it, IMHO, at the time.

 

[princesultan]

I was told to see an appraiser from a friend but he doesn't really know what he's talking about either. I was just wondering if it's common practice to see one before purchasing the stone or after making the ring. I'll be buying from a reputable jeweler locally who has done work for my family and friends. The diamond also has a GIA report. The report was dated 2007. To me the diamond looks great, I just don't know if people usually get these things looked at before actually buying it. Maybe the appraiser will point to something wrong with the diamond?

WF sent the stone directly to my appraiser. I didn't have to purchase it. She verified what the report said, then sent it back to WF. They then set it and sent it BACK to Jennifer, where she confirmed again that the stone was what I had purchased. At that point, she did the full appraisal on the ring and my husband picked up the ring from her. It was a really nice way to do it, IMHO, at the time.

I see what you mean. It's a bit different since I have to bring it myself. But you had the stone appraised a day then the ring. I see.

 

[princesultan]

any other thoughts?

 

[rubybeth]

I wouldn't bother, just get the complete ring appraised within the return window (and before you propose!) so if there are any major issues, you're covered.

 

[princesultan]

I wouldn't bother, just get the complete ring appraised within the return window (and before you propose!) so if there are any major issues, you're covered.

i guess getting the full ring appraised includes the appraiser also comparing the diamond to the GIA report? or usually does a full ring appraisal only include the craftsmanship of the ring?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

An appraisal of the finished ring will include the diamond and setting and you will provide the GIA report. But your jeweler should provide you that for free, and by all means tell him you do NOT want an inflated appraisal...you want it to reflect what you paid. You will overpay insurance premiums if you get a "feel good" inflated appraisal.

And no, I wouldn't have a GIA ceritified stone appraised ordinarily. The only thing I'd question is why the GIA report is so old. If the stone was sitting in the store for the past 5 years, it should be fine. But if it was a trade in or has been worn, then it needs an updated report because stones can be chipped.

 

[denverappraiser]

There are a few basic reasons to get a lab graded stone appraised as part of the shopping process.

1) The seller told you something that you don’t understand, don’t believe or just want to bounce of an independent expert before you proceed.


2) The seller can’t or won’t provide data you want as part of your decision (for example, IS and ASET images, Sarin scans, etc.)

3) Confirm that the stone matches the report and that it’s undamaged and unaltered since the date of examination.

4) To provide independent documentation of condition prior to sending it to a 3rd party setter.

5) To discuss the various issues with someone who isn’t vested in the transaction prior to the final commitment to buy the stone.

There are more. It really boils down to what it is you want to know about the stone, what the seller is able to provide and what your own comfort level is about relying on the salesperson for information.

 

[bagelboy]

Since your GIA report is from 2007, I would most definitely have the diamond appraisal done before you buy it. Make it a condition of the sale. It may be chipped on the girdle. If your appraiser gives you an OK, then have it set by the vendor in the ring. Ask the vendor if he has insurance to replace the diamond should it be chipped during the setting process. After your ring is done take it back to your appraiser to have it checked again. Most appraisers do this all the time and the two appointments are included and charged in one bill.Your appraiser should also be able to determine a replacement value for the jewelry insurance you will now need. So will need an accurate value and not an inflated value. But I would have the diamond inspected by an expert BEFORE I bought it. Just a few bucks more for a huge and sentimental purchase. I think most people would have a used car checked by their mechanic not rely solely on the honesty of the seller. Just for peace of mind. I think somewhere on Pricescope is a list questions to ask your appraiser. Have it appraised!!!

 

[princesultan]

thanks for the help. i'm leaning towards just getting it appraised when the ring is done. the jeweler said that he has a very loose return policy so that if there's a problem with it that i can return it no problem.

 

[elliemay]

thanks for the help. i'm leaning towards just getting it appraised when the ring is done. the jeweler said that he has a very loose return policy so that if there's a problem with it that i can return it no problem.

Make sure you get that return policy in writing!

 

[bagelboy]

I'll second elliemay's idea, get a written return policy!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Yup, in writing, pay with a credit card too because they have protection policies in place. Yes, it sounds paranoid, but its not. "Friend of a friend" jewelers seem to cause many issues on these boards, as do cash purchases and "trust me" return policies.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Well, with a report that old, I'd probably get it appraised again as it's most likely a traded-up diamond. It's best to side on caution and if the diamond has a chip, getting it set could make things worse. Also, I would say it depends upon how much you're spending. If it's a large purchase, then spending a few hundred to get it checked out is entirely justified.

Also, as Dreamer said, there are often problems with buying from "friends" and "friends of family." Those people are running a business just like everyone else and need to make money to keep going.

 

[princesultan]

thanks for all the tips. i think at this point i view getting an appraisal at the end of the process as saving a step (instead of getting an appraisal of the diamond before it being put in the setting and after it's put in the setting). if i get a written return policy on the finished ring, then essentially if i get the finished product appraised, it should work out to be the same, correct? there's really no reason for me to go twice in my mind.

 

[oldminer]

My appraiser buddy from Denver who posted above is dead on. We don't really need to see every diamond before you buy them, but there are many times where an appraiser has been of assistance to a consumer. Just think of deciding to have surgery without a second opinion. A second opinion is not a requirement, but when something is of great importance TO YOU, then you have the right to make sure everything is okay. Not everyone needs or desires such second opinions, but there is good reason to consider having a second opinion when a decision is challenging or has areas that are in doubt.

You and quite a few other consumers now may know a lot about your selected diamond, but in the overall, consumers know only a tiny fraction of what a professional knows and understands. We are really very open with information here, but you won't see an appraiser putting a value on a diamond they have not seen in person. Why? Because there are simply more variables than what is contained in a GIA or other lab report. No firm documents the exact nature of an individual diamond to the extent that it is really described in full and forever.

It is way better to have a professional consult before you make a purchase than months or years later only to find out there was some issue that you never knew about, or more recent damge that you can't put a date on since it might have always been there.

This isn't a tactic to scare anyone. The answer depends on the level of importance the purchase is to you personally. Not every purchase is that important, for sure.