Separate appraisals for stone and finished ring?

[Jhonts]

Please excuse my ignorance, but I have a question about appraisals that I haven''t found the answer to in the PS forums (which may mean it''s a very silly question!):

I''d like to get an appraisal of a loose stone I purchased from a PS vendor in order to verify quality/value before setting the stone. But I imagine I''ll also want an appraisal of the finished ring, for insurance purposes, once the stone is set. In that case, must I get two separate appraisals? How have other people handled this?

Thanks,
Jhonts

 

[Regular Guy]

Although I got my appraisal after the ring was set, your approach is the more rigorous, and will have the potential to provide better info. I think the custom is that the same guy sees it on both ends of the process, but the document is only drawn up at the conclusion, and after the ring is set, after it''s been reviewed the first time. The cost is then more incidental for the second visit.

But check me.

 

[bopitaddict]

i came across an appraiser who did a ''package'' deal, they appraised the loose stone, and then after i had it set, they appraised the final product... it was a bit more, but maybe you can ask your appraiser whether they do that or not.

 

[denverappraiser]

I do this regularly. It’s actually the usual request for my internet customers. They would like a report about the diamond on which to base their diamond shopping decisions and then would like a final report that described the completed piece for the benefit of their insurance company and in order to get an opinion on the other materials and craftsmanship in the piece.

It’s worth noting that in most cases, it will void your return privilege on the diamond if you have it set by a 3rd party during the examination period. Make sure to read the fine print on the return program from your diamond dealer if you are planning on using an appraiser as part of your shopping process.

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

 

[drk]

I got my stone appraised loose, and am having it checked again after it''s set to get the final appraisal for insurance purposes (and to check that all went well with the setting process). My appraiser (in Toronto, so CDN$ here) charges $75 for the loose stone appraisal and $35 for rechecking it and looking at the finished product. They said that I could have it all checked at once after it was set, but because I only have a GIA cert, they wouldn''t then be able to confirm the ideal cut of the diamond which I fell is critical for me to have on my insurance certificate. If I''d had an AGS certed diamond where the crucial angles are all on the cert, they would have confirmed it to be the diamond in the certificate with a cut grade of XX.
My appraiser said as long as they did the initial appraisal and I know that appraisal number when I bring the piece back in, they can check it quicker and give me the reduced price for appraisal number two.
I''d probably get two separate appraisals if I were you. There should be a discount on the second one - makes sense because they''re not doing quite as much work.

 

[oldminer]

We have always included a final report on the finished item of jewelry at no further cost, other than shipping if required. From manufacturers or sellers with a good history, we can take the mounting description directly from them and produce a final report immediately with no added shipping, but for those who really want the best, most secure way, we certainly are willing to have the piece come back to us for a second look. I truly recommend the most careful method, but it does cost a few dollars of shipping and it will consume a couple added days before you get the final product.

Appraisers are there to serve you and you have many choices. If you are asked to pay a great deal more for a final report after you have paid the full fee for a loose diamond report, I''d say you were being misused a litttle. Of course, if the initial report was quite inexpensive to begin with, then another partial fee may be fair. We have tried to set our flat based based on what the overall consumer wants to have and we flex as necessary to accomodate whatever we are asked to do within reason.

 

[Jhonts]

Many thanks to everyone for all your help! You answered an important question for me, which really helped me in a bit of a time crunch (I''m aiming to announce our proposal at imminent family event).

Through the PS list, I have contacted a local appraiser who offered me a reasonable "package" deal that includes only a nominal fee for the final product analysis. I''m headed in today, and I''ll be sure to let you know how it turns out.

Best,
Jhonts