What HAPPENED?!

[wishinpink]

I got my pretty 0.91 carat Regent cut diamond that I bought from a private seller in the mail, and took it to an independent appraiser.

This was the appraiser- http://www.jewelryvaluationservices.com/Slelecting_an_Appraiser.htm I would not recommend going there- seemed like she didn't explain a lot of what was going on, and tried to rush through the whole thing.

The diamond was GIA certified as an H VS2, and then my appraiser said it was an H Si-2! She said the feather was larger than marked in the GIA report... can feathers grow? Naturally she appraised the diamond for less than was originally paid for it when the private seller bought it from GOG.
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/1938/ this is the diamond.

What happened? =( I've already paid for the diamond to the private seller, who was awesome to work with, and I plan on keeping it, but I'm a bit sad because I didn't get "what I paid for," and the only person I have to blame is GIA or this independent appraiser! I love the diamond, bugs me that I thought I was getting something else than what I got!

 

[strmrdr]

Get another opinion,
I recommend sending it to Neil since he is closest of the PS appraisers.
http://www.gemlab.us/

 

[swingirl]

I am no expert but could it be the appraiser just wasn't familiar with regents? And if they are not being cut anymore does that make the price go up or down?

You love your stone and are satisfied with the price. Enjoy it! It's a beautiful stone and very unique.

 

[arjunajane]

Hmmm.yes, feathers can grow - but I''m not sure about from a VS2 to an SI2 in such a short time..
I second Strm, I know it costs more $, but please get a second opinion. Neil would be a great appraiser for you to visit, he will take the time to explain to you, which sounds like this lady did not.
sorry about your stress!

 

[neatfreak]

Well, things can certainly happen with some types of inclusions and with wear, which is why we recommend getting stones independently appraised BEFORE purchase if you are purchasing from a private party.

But it sounds like whats done is done? I would also send it to Neil and go from there...let''s hope that it was just a mistake.

 

[wishinpink]

I''m so upset!!!! I''m a student so the money used to get an appraisal is SUBSTANTIAL for me! What if this lady didn''t make a mistake? From VS2 to SI2 is such a huge difference and I feel like it''s so unfair!!!!! If I pay more money to get this diamond appraised and it''s still supposedly an SI2, then what?

I couldn''t sleep last night because I was so sad. It''s either the GIA''s fault or the appraiser''s fault, or the feather grew. And none of those things are things I can get money back from! How could a feather grow?!

The pricing difference between a VS2 and SI2 is over a thousand dollars difference, so it''s like my money evaporated for no cause!!!


AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 10/11/2008 12:21:33 PM
Author: wishinpink
I'm so upset!!!! I'm a student so the money used to get an appraisal is SUBSTANTIAL for me! What if this lady didn't make a mistake? From VS2 to SI2 is such a huge difference and I feel like it's so unfair!!!!! If I pay more money to get this diamond appraised and it's still supposedly an SI2, then what?


I couldn't sleep last night because I was so sad. It's either the GIA's fault or the appraiser's fault, or the feather grew. And none of those things are things I can get money back from! How could a feather grow?!


The pricing difference between a VS2 and SI2 is over a thousand dollars difference, so it's like my money evaporated for no cause!!!



AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Unfortunately this is the reason we tell people to get appraisals before purchase is because things can happen with diamonds. They may be hard, but they can crack, chip, etc. and often do with a good thwack. It's certainly within the realm of possibility that the private seller thwacked it and the feather grew.

If it's still an SI2 after a second appraisal then you do one of two things:

1. Kick yourself for not getting it appraised beforehand and chalk it up to inexperience. Then ENJOY your diamond!

2. Try and go back to the private seller, explain that it wasn't appraised as it was sold, and get your $ back and start again.

I think those are your options here.

 

[neatfreak]

I do believe that in your previous thread here: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/whats-the-safest-way-to-buy-a-diamond-from-a-private-seller.95742/ you were advised to get it appraised before you purchased it. This is exactly why we advise that unfortunately because things happen.

Let's hope that Neil has something different to say than the original appraiser.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/11/2008 12:31:10 PM
Author: neatfreak
I do believe that in your previous thread here: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/whats-the-safest-way-to-buy-a-diamond-from-a-private-seller.95742/ you were advised to get it appraised before you purchased it. This is exactly why we advise that unfortunately because things happen.

Let's hope that Neil has something different to say than the original appraiser.

Ditto, and with this thread here I remember and we advised the appraisal....https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/i-think-i-found-the-diamond-please-help.95581/

I am so sorry Wish that things haven't gone the way you planned. Look, I wouldn't panic especially as we don't know the skill and experience of the appraiser you used, but I would see Neil as strm suggests if you can and see what his verdict is. If the clarity is off I know it must be so disappointing, but you still have a gorgeous diamond.

 

[bgray]

I have had many stones appraised for various reasons--in very case the the appraiser's assessment differed from the cert or prior appraisal. There is also human nature as a factor here. Appraisers LOVE to show they know what they are doing and be super critical................thats actually a good thing but it doesnt always make for accuarcy. Iif possible why dont you take it to GOG and ask them if they think it matches the original cert--meaning did the feather change. Appraisals--quite frankly often arent worth much more than the paper they are printed on. They tell you the stone is REAL and approximately what the cert or person is stating it is but other than that they certainly arent gospel or definitive regarding value. If the stone was "thwacked" so hard as to expand a feather I would imagine that there would be a chip or something somehwere else on the stone. (this doesnt sound right to me.) I had a GIA certed stone that had "negligible fluorescence" and the appraiser insisted it was "moderate to strong" ............

 

[wishinpink]

Guess what - I did have it appraised before I bought it. The appraiser was acting as our escrow and this is what she told me-

The diamond matches up to the GIA cert, you may send the money. So I called my boyfriend and he sent the money to the private seller via paypal. I did EXACTLY what you guys told me to do!!! I wasn''t trying to be stupid!

I went home, read the appraisal, and the appraiser NEVER EVEN TOLD ME that the diamond was supposedly an SI2!!! I saw it on paper when I got home! All the appraiser told me was hmm looks like a larger feather than marked, and gave me a dollar retail replacement value for insurance and told me to send the money!


It wasn''t my fault =(

 

[Lorelei]

Wish I am not blaming you, I must have misunderstood, from your first post I thought you said you received the diamond in the mail then had it appraised once you had bought and received it- sorry about that! I am confused though, you said the appraiser said that the diamond matched the GIA report and that you could send the money - well why didn't she tell you that she thought the clarity was lower than that of the report.... if she graded it as SI2 and the lab grade was VS2?

Ok you and the appraiser looked at the diamond together then she tells you the clarity grade is lower AFTER you bought it? I would have thought it an important piece of info when they are supposed to be acting in your interests. Wish, I would really recommend you contact Neil to get a professional and expert opinion on this diamond. DON'T panic about that feather please - I am sure if you get a good appraisal this whole thing can be straightened out - it is rare that feathers deteriorate, but Neil or another good independant appraiser will be able to tell you more and set your mind at ease.

 

[wishinpink]

I''m starting to feel paranoia-- what if the feather is GROWING?!


I read this-
"Feathers: Small cracks within the stone, similar in look to broken glass. Small internal feathers are harmless (other than lowering the clarity rating of the diamond), but large feathers can become a problem because the crack can grow as the diamond ages"


I''m so sad! My heart was set on the regent- cut. GOG only allows trade in for diamonds $500 more. This diamond was $4732 when purchased by the private seller, and the only other regent on there that is comparable is the 1.11 that is $4716.

I am freaking out!

 

[bgray]

wish--i wouldnt be so freaked--that it looks larger than marked is not defintive. please take it to GOG.

 

[wishinpink]

Oh, it''s fine! I know you guys aren''t blaming me- what really happened is the appraiser got the diamond in the mail, and we opened it together.. I should''ve been more clear.

 

[bgray]

Date: 10/11/2008 12:51:08 PM
Author: wishinpink
Oh, it''s fine! I know you guys aren''t blaming me- what really happened is the appraiser got the diamond in the mail, and we opened it together.. I should''ve been more clear.

now i am confused--i thought you said the appraiser called you and said it was fine. if the appraiser said it matvhed but it didnt that seems.............sleazy

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 10/11/2008 12:51:08 PM
Author: wishinpink
Oh, it''s fine! I know you guys aren''t blaming me- what really happened is the appraiser got the diamond in the mail, and we opened it together.. I should''ve been more clear.

Ahhh gotcha. It is really odd though that she would tell you it matched when it doesn''t? Is it possible that maybe she made a mistake on the report? Have you talked to HER thoroughly about it?

 

[wishinpink]

Actually- the appraiser flat out never told me that my diamond was SI2... I saw it on the report when I got home! =0

She only remarked- The feather is much larger than show on report. And typed away printed stuff stapled it all together and whisked me out of her office.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/11/2008 12:56:08 PM
Author: wishinpink
Actually- the appraiser flat out never told me that my diamond was SI2... I saw it on the report when I got home! =0

She only remarked- The feather is much larger than show on report. And typed away printed stuff stapled it all together and whisked me out of her office.

The appraiser was supposed to be verifying that the diamond matched the report, that the colour and clarity were accurate and although she remarked that the feather was in her opinion larger than the one on the report, she didn't elaborate by saying that she thought as a result the clarity grade was lower? I am not a professional or an appraiser but I hope one of the experts can chime in to advise you. I know that clarity grades can have some variance, but that is a big difference IMO. You thought you were purchasing an H VS2 and she graded it H SI2 and didn't tell you, would you have reconsidered this purchase or negotiated any other aspect of it, as you may not have wanted to buy it with the lower clarity grade? I hope one of the appraisers or other experts can chime in to advise you Wish.

 

[wishinpink]

Date: 10/11/2008 12:59:11 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 10/11/2008 12:56:08 PM
Author: wishinpink
Actually- the appraiser flat out never told me that my diamond was SI2... I saw it on the report when I got home! =0

She only remarked- The feather is much larger than show on report. And typed away printed stuff stapled it all together and whisked me out of her office.

The appraiser was supposed to be verifying that the diamond matched the report, that the colour and clarity were accurate and although she remarked that the feather was in her opinion larger than the one on the report, she didn't elaborate by saying that she thought as a result the clarity grade was lower? I am not a professional or an appraiser but I hope one of the experts can chime in to advise you. I know that clarity grades can have some variance, but that is a big difference IMO. You thought you were purchasing an H VS2 and she graded it H SI2 and didn't tell you, would you have reconsidered this purchase or negotiated any other aspect of it, as you may not have wanted to buy it with the lower clarity grade? I hope one of the appraisers or other experts can chime in to advise you Wish.

I know! I'm feeling more and more mad at the appraiser! She was even answering phone calls during my appointment!

I think I'm going to call her and ask what the heck happened! I want her to look at it again more clearly- but I don't want to pay her again.. I don't know what to say!


I have spoken with the seller and she says that the appraiser must have messed up because she did not thwack the diamond.. ^_^;; it has been sitting in storage at consignment at GOG and not been thwacked around I gues. She also thinks this clarity difference is weird and dubious though!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/11/2008 2:17:59 PM
Author: wishinpink

Date: 10/11/2008 12:59:11 PM
Author: Lorelei

I know! I'm feeling more and more mad at the appraiser! She was even answering phone calls during my appointment!

I think I'm going to call her and ask what the heck happened! I want her to look at it again more clearly- but I don't want to pay her again.. I don't know what to say!

Wish, I am sure one of the experts will see this and be able to advise you, I know that sometimes there can be a difference between the lab's opinion and that of the appraiser, but I would like to hear one of the pro's advise here. Personally I think a new appraisal might be the best thing, but as you are a student and have already paid out once, lets see what advice we can get here as to whether it would be advisable to go ahead and get a new appraisal or not, or to contact the original appraiser to get her to reevaluate.

 

[wishinpink]

Date: 10/11/2008 12:55:13 PM
Author: bgray

Date: 10/11/2008 12:51:08 PM
Author: wishinpink
Oh, it''s fine! I know you guys aren''t blaming me- what really happened is the appraiser got the diamond in the mail, and we opened it together.. I should''ve been more clear.

now i am confused--i thought you said the appraiser called you and said it was fine. if the appraiser said it matvhed but it didnt that seems.............sleazy

no no. .I didn''t explain it well. I''m sorry! What happened was- the seller mailed my diamond to the appraiser. ( I didnt'' really get it in the mail). The appraiser and I opened it together. Then she "appraised" it and told me to send money. I had my bf paypal the money to the private seller via calling him by cell phone. The seller received the money and sent an email confirming receipt of money and called to confirm as well. The appraiser gave me the diamond and the report and sent me out the door- she was on the phone so I just... took the report and diamond and left!

Then I went home and read the report and it said my diamond was an SI2 and that''s when I started freaking out!

 

[Modified Brilliant]

Date: 10/11/2008 2:17:59 PM
Author: wishinpink

Date: 10/11/2008 12:59:11 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 10/11/2008 12:56:08 PM
Author: wishinpink
Actually- the appraiser flat out never told me that my diamond was SI2... I saw it on the report when I got home! =0

She only remarked- The feather is much larger than show on report. And typed away printed stuff stapled it all together and whisked me out of her office.

The appraiser was supposed to be verifying that the diamond matched the report, that the colour and clarity were accurate and although she remarked that the feather was in her opinion larger than the one on the report, she didn''t elaborate by saying that she thought as a result the clarity grade was lower? I am not a professional or an appraiser but I hope one of the experts can chime in to advise you. I know that clarity grades can have some variance, but that is a big difference IMO. You thought you were purchasing an H VS2 and she graded it H SI2 and didn''t tell you, would you have reconsidered this purchase or negotiated any other aspect of it, as you may not have wanted to buy it with the lower clarity grade? I hope one of the appraisers or other experts can chime in to advise you Wish.

I know! I''m feeling more and more mad at the appraiser! She was even answering phone calls during my appointment!

I think I''m going to call her and ask what the heck happened! I want her to look at it again more clearly- but I don''t want to pay her again.. I don''t know what to say!


I have spoken with the seller and she says that the appraiser must have messed up because she did not thwack the diamond.. ^_^;; it has been sitting in storage at consignment at GOG and not been thwacked around I gues. She also thinks this clarity difference is weird and dubious though!

Dear Wish,

I''m sorry to hear about your situation. Although it is the weekend, attempt to contact the appraiser to clear up these issues.
I can''t speak for other appraisers and their habits.... but a client should always have your undivided attention (no phone calls).
Also, the time that you spend with an appraiser is "YOUR TIME." You are paying for professional advice and consultation.
I might ask 3 or more times throughout the appointment if my client has any questions at all about anything.
I never EVER want my client to leave my office without helping to find answers to any questions. Follow up calls
and e-mails are always encouraged. An appraiser is working for YOU and should be looking out for your best interests.
Please follow up with the appraiser and let us know what transpires.

www.metrojewelryappraisers.com

 

[wishinpink]

Date: 10/11/2008 2:28:01 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 10/11/2008 2:17:59 PM
Author: wishinpink

Date: 10/11/2008 12:59:11 PM
Author: Lorelei

I know! I''m feeling more and more mad at the appraiser! She was even answering phone calls during my appointment!

I think I''m going to call her and ask what the heck happened! I want her to look at it again more clearly- but I don''t want to pay her again.. I don''t know what to say!

Wish, I am sure one of the experts will see this and be able to advise you, I know that sometimes there can be a difference between the lab''s opinion and that of the appraiser, but I would like to hear one of the pro''s advise. Personally I think a new appraisal might be the best thing, but as you are a student and have already paid out once, lets see what advice we can get here as to whether it would be advisable to go ahead and get a new appraisal or not, or to contact the original appraiser to get her to reevaluate.

Aghh - I feel so bad! I didn''t even pay out the money for the appraisal- my boyfriend did (he''s a student too.) I picked out the diamond and he paid for it, and now there''s stuff wrong with it? I don''t want to cause him to keep spending money... I feel guilty even though technically IT WAS THAT APPRAISER"S FAULT.. or so I think.

I could get the diamond recerted by the GIA for half the cost of certification- but then if it still comes back as H VS2 I have to go get another insurance appraisal =P.

I called the appraiser lady but she won''t pick up the phone probably because it''s Saturday! You guys are right- i probably need another insurance appraisal but I can''t help but think this lady owes me to get it right-

If I lose my H VS2 regent cut diamond- I''m going to get back a radiant cut H SI2 diamond. This is ridiculous! =(

 

[Lorelei]

Thanks Jeff!

 

[wishinpink]

This is what it says on my report-

Loose Diamond
Pictured is a loose regent-cut diamond weighing 0.91 carats. The stone is accompanied by GIA report #13085327. A copy is included with this report.

Diamond Grading Report

Shape and Cut: Radiant
Weight: 0.91 Cts. (actual)

Proportions: Very Good
Depth- 64.94%
Table- 67.0%
Girdle: Medium- extremely thick
Culet: Closed

Finish
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good

Clarity: SI-2

Color: H
Flurrescence: None (lw)


Then a picture of a radiant with a scribble on it and Legend: Feather

Total approximate Retail Value: $4515.00
9.00% Tax: $406.35
Total Approximate Retail Value Including Tax 4912.35

Four thousand nine hundred twenty-one dollars and thirty-five cents.

Signature of Preparer: Janet Connor Stevens, GG, ASA Master Gemologist Appraiser

 

[wishinpink]

Discrepencies I''ve noticed-

Shape and cutting Style- One says modified square brilliant the other says RADIANT
Culet- One says none other says closed (does this mean the same?)

Then the clarity says- VS2 versus SI2...

 

[Modified Brilliant]

Hey wish,

Is the spelling of "fluorescence" your typo or the appraiser''s???
Just wondering....

Jeff

 

[neatfreak]

Is it possible that she confused your stone with another? I know it seems far fetched, but a radiant is quite different from a regent!

 

[Modified Brilliant]

GIA uses the term "square modified brilliant" to describe your cut. They will use generic terms usually.

A culet may be described as "none" (GIA) "pointed" or I suppose "closed" (not a typical term)

Jeff