Ring Lost by Appraiser Prior to Purchase!

[ab1234]

True Story:

- Researched on PriceScope to find a reputable dealer for an e-ring.
- During appointment with dealer identified the center stone (princess, 2.0ct)
- Took center stone to reputable appraiser for second opinion (recommended by dealer but also with good feedback on pricescope)
- Appraiser provides good service, runs megascope on center stone, gives report, etc.
- For color matching purposes, appraiser helps select (2) 0.5ct side stones
- I pay $3000 deposit to dealer for stones and ring
- Stones sent to ring maker / setter
- Two weeks later, dealer calls and says ring is done - I ask dealer to bring stones to appraiser for verification
- Dealer calls me, says that stones are at appraiser
- I call appraiser, set up appointment to come in and look at stones
- When I arrive at the appraiser''s, the ring can''t be found! Police report filed, etc., etc.

I''m not upset with the dealer (who is going out of his way to help me find a replacement, offered my deposit back, etc. - also, he seems just as upset as I am, and who still owned the stone) but I was so happy and excited about the stones I''d selected. I am disappointed with the appraiser who evidently didn''t secure the stones that are so important to me. The special day I had planned will likely have to be postponed too while I find new stones!

Do I have any options? What do you think I should do?

Thanks!
"Lost"

 

[DiamondExpert]

Sit tight until the appraiser exhausts all avenues of recovery...if appraiser had the finished ring, he/she probably still does and it''s been misplaced...unless of course the appraiser was victim of a theft/burglary.

If it was lost in transit, often packages can will show up sooner or later.

At least you''re not out any $, but the aggravation can be substantial.

 

[denverappraiser]

Eeek!

What does the appraiser have to say? Do they agree that they had the ring in their possession and have lost it or are they saying it never arrived from the dealer? Do they have insurance? It sounds like you know quite a bit about the missing piece (weights and descriptions of the various stones, details about the mounting, etc.) so valuing the damages doesn’t seem all that difficult but the logistics could be pretty painful for everyone.

That’s a remarkably generous offer from the dealer. Given the facts above, they seem like a purely innocent victim although sometimes these stories change as they develop. Assuming that it isn’t located, the liability will probably fall to the appraiser or the carrier, depending on when it was lost, and the dealer is offering to fight this battle for you. Say thank you and accept. The appraiser is, no doubt, completely disassembling their shop looking for it and it may be worth giving them a little time to complete this task. The happiest answer by a lot is for it to be found. If it's not, have the dealer ask them for a check and start the shopping process over again. Be loyal to this dealer, they are going way over backwards for you.

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

 

[strmrdr]

Start the search over with the dealer who is treating you right and hope in the mean time it shows up is about all you can do.
sucky situation

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 3/5/2006 4:13:08 PM
Author: strmrdr
Start the search over with the dealer who is treating you right and hope in the mean time it shows up is about all you can do.
sucky situation

Ditto. Man that stinks. Good luck!!!

 

[Richard Sherwood]

The ring will probably turn up. They almost always do, unless outright thievery is involved, which is rare.