Translating a 1974 appraisal and other questions.

[iceshopper]

I''ve been givan a ring to use as trade in or to sell to help with the purchasing of an engagment ring for my gf and I was also given an old appraisal of the ring from 1974. It is a diamond solitaire on a 14k yellow gold mounting (just a plain circle) valued at $2495. The diamond''s stats are:

.83 Carat
AA Grade
VVS

I understand that the VVS is clarity but I thought it would also include a 1 or 2. Did they not use those ratings back then?
What is the AA Grade? Does it have something to do with color which is not mentioned on the appraisal anywhere else?

Now for the part that has me worried. I''ve been working with a jeweler to have a custom ring built and his appraiser looked at my stone to help determine what the trade in value might be. The stone was examined in the setting. His estimate was a SI1 clarity, G color, and about .70 carats. Is it possible to be that far off on the appraisal of a stone when it''s still in a mounting or do I need to be worried that the jeweler may be trying to scam me? They offered me $500 for trade in but did say they wouldn''t be able to judge the size of the stone accurateley until it was taken out of the mounting and that may increase the value of the diamond. This all happened before my friend found their old appraisal.

Thanks for any help you can offer!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/12/2008 10:11:18 AM
Author:iceshopper
I've been givan a ring to use as trade in or to sell to help with the purchasing of an engagment ring for my gf and I was also given an old appraisal of the ring from 1974. It is a diamond solitaire on a 14k yellow gold mounting (just a plain circle) valued at $2495. The diamond's stats are:

.83 Carat
AA Grade
VVS

I understand that the VVS is clarity but I thought it would also include a 1 or 2. Did they not use those ratings back then?
What is the AA Grade? Does it have something to do with color which is not mentioned on the appraisal anywhere else?

Now for the part that has me worried. I've been working with a jeweler to have a custom ring built and his appraiser looked at my stone to help determine what the trade in value might be. The stone was examined in the setting. His estimate was a SI1 clarity, G color, and about .70 carats. Is it possible to be that far off on the appraisal of a stone when it's still in a mounting or do I need to be worried that the jeweler may be trying to scam me? They offered me $500 for trade in but did say they wouldn't be able to judge the size of the stone accurateley until it was taken out of the mounting and that may increase the value of the diamond. This all happened before my friend found their old appraisal.

Thanks for any help you can offer!

Welcome to Pricescope!

The AA grading you mention isn't widely known it seems, but it is a method that has been used, although it doesn't appear to be used by the major labs to the best of my knowledge. Here is an example here.

ttp://www.indygem.com/diamond-melee-sq.htm

What might be best, is to get an independant appraisal done on your diamond, tell the appraiser what your plans are and they can advise you on price. There is a big difference between VVS clarity and SI which shouldn't be too difficult for a pro to see with a loupe, so I would get an appraisal by a third party, to make sure you have the true picture. Also the guide I linked above claims AA is VS not VVS. Here is a tool you can use to find an appraiser in your area.

https://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx

 

[jewelerman]

I would take the diamond to a certified independant appraiser and start over with the grading process.There is a huge diffirence in the clarity grading of a VVS and an SI1 quality diamond.The stone should have been taken out of mounting and cleaned and weighed before an offer for trade was made.

 

[Modified Brilliant]

A few thoughts...

Are you sure that the 1974 appraisal is for this particular ring?

"AA" could just be part of an "in house" or "store" grading system, meaningless to the outside world.

I would suggest seeing an independent appraiser... weigh the stone loose, grade for color, clarity and cut.

Then you will feel confident about your diamond.

www.metrojewelryappraisers.com

 

[kcoursolle]

I would probably just get a new independent appraisal just to have a better idea. It''s not that expensive (around $100) and it doesn''t take that long. They will do an excellent job at telling you everything you need to know about your diamond. It''s hard to say exactly what the old appraisal means and the value of your ring could have changed tastically over the past 35 years. To find an independent appraiser in your area go to the resources tab, then appraisers, then your area.

 

[Munchkin]

If I remember correctly, diamond color was once rated at A, AA, B, etc. When standards were modernized, diamond color began at D to prevent confusion with the old system.

I suspect that your appraisal was likely done by the in house jeweler from the original store. If they were trained in the old system, I would not be surprised that that was how they graded the stone. Come to think of it, I'm not sure when the system changed, so that may have what was being used universally.

I have seen in house appraisals which are fairly non-specific with regard to color, clarity, etc - especially with pieces of my mom's from the 70s. I suspect (guessing here) that independent appraisals were not as widely sought.

I would absolutely contact an independent appraiser. 1. Carat is weight. You can't weigh a diamond if it is in the setting still. You may be able to approximate based on diameter, but roughly. 2. Diamonds are color graded face down. That is also not done in a setting. I would get a second opinion from an impartial party.

 

[iceshopper]

Thanks so much to everyone that''s taken the time to reply. It looks like I''ll be taking the stone out of the mounting and getting an independent appraisal before I make any decisions. It makes me feel better knowing that a diamond is unable to be graded correctly while it''s in a setting, but I am still a little miffed that the jeweler I''ve been working with decided to offer me a trade in price without thoroughly examining the stone!