What to bring to the appraiser?

[pixley]

Hi all,
Could someone please direct me to a thread that spells out what to bring to the appraiser? I delivered my stone to my local appraiser who was supposedly turning around appraisals fairly quickly having just returned from holidays, but his office assistant tells me that 7 - 10 day turnaround is normal and that he's waiting for someone to call him back regarding the cut information. Should I have brought in my GIA cert??? I didn't because I wanted a fresh analysis. Moreover, why does he need to get cut information from someone else??? I didn't anticipate having to leave "my precious" for 7 - 10 days after having been initially told that it would be a 2 day turnaround. In his defence, we rarely see cushions where we live, but I'm a bit baffled.

 

[choro72]

I''m interested as well...Anyone?

 

[oldminer]

People work at different rates of speed and some folks have a backup in work occasinally, but 7 to 10 day turn around does not sound as if appraising is a priority for your expert. Are they doing other things? An appraisal of a diamond does not take days to accomplish on its own.

 

[denverappraiser]

Where are you?

Most of my new purchase type of work is done while the client waits and watches. I never take possession at all. I ask people to bring everything they have. Lab reports, prior appraisals, store receipts, warranty cards, boxes, everything. The first step in the assignment, prior to looking at any of this, is a discussion with the client about what they are trying to accomplish. If an independent grading of the stone is called for we do it right then, prior to looking at the other documentation. Why, I hear you ask?

One of the questions always asked is if the stone is the same one described on the report and, if there are any differences between my grading and the prior grading to discuss them. The straightforward way to do this is to have the reports on hand and to allow the appraiser to look at it immediately following the inspection. The customers almost always have a preformed opinion about the grading and attributes of the piece and where they think the value conclusion should be. Almost always, this opinion is based on the very documents we’re discussing. It’s nearly impossible to have a useful discussion about them without having them present.

The other big reason is that the lab report is part of the product. An AGS/2.00/F/VS1/Ideal is not the same product as an approx. 2.00/F/VS1 without the report, even when it’s describing the same stone. The same is true for a piece by a particular designer, from a particular store or any other non-gemological attribute to value. Clues to this come in the paperwork. If the final report is to be a pre-loss insurance document defining what it is and what it would cost to replace a particular design that’s only available at one store, what they are charging for it is an entirely relevant issue as is the manufacturers model number and possibly other details. In some sense, these are the MOST relevant issues. In most cases copies of these documents should be included in the appraisal report.

Clients often want to withhold this information either because they think it will result in a biased opinion or because they know that they contain a BS conclusion and therefore the entire report is useless. They were told it was a fabulous bargain and are concerned that they will lose the benefit of their bargain or, alternatively, they fear that they were ripped off and that the appraiser is (or will be) in on it. I must say from the other side of the counter that this game of ‘stump the appraiser’ is good fun and, for those of us who routinely charge by the hour, profitable, but I’m not sure it’s beneficial for the majority of clients since it only tangentially addresses the usual question at hand – Did you get what you thought you got and did you pay an appropriate price for it? That’s why the up front interview about what you want to learn from your appraisal session. Is the purpose of your visit really to second-guess the lab grading or are you there for something else entirely?

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[pixley]

Hi Neil,
Thanks for the detailed reply. I am on Vancouver Island, hence the lack of appraisers in my area. There is one local independent appraiser, but he didn't do such a fabulous job last time... To answer Dave's question, my appraiser does sell and design jewelery in addition to doing appraisals, but I fully believe him to be honest and straightforward. I'm really just seeking to get an unbiased assessment of the stone and want to establish a replacement value for insurance purposes, so perhaps your suggestion about bringing the supporting documentation would be a good thing for me to follow up with for him. I don't have any concerns with respect to the price I paid, nor do I doubt that the stone matched the cert, so really I just want to make sure that the stone is insured appropriately. The stone is an old mine style cushion, which is not in high production and I would be very hard pressed to find one in this size, colour and cut quality if I ever had to replace it. The company that sells these cushions does not cut these stones from rough, rather they get them sporadically from the Russian government and recut them. I am told that they are antique cushions dating back to the Russian Revolution which have been repatriated and are occasionally released by the Russian government to a few vendors. Should I hightail it to the appraiser with my supporting materials? (He's closed for the next two days).

 

[denverappraiser]

Call him up when he gets back, discuss your concerns, explain what is available and ask for his professional advice. That’s what you’re paying him for after all.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[pixley]

Thanks, Neil. Will do!

 

[Modified Brilliant]

Date: 2/23/2008 5:49:26 PM
Author: denverappraiser
Where are you?

Most of my new purchase type of work is done while the client waits and watches. I never take possession at all. I ask people to bring everything they have. Lab reports, prior appraisals, store receipts, warranty cards, boxes, everything. The first step in the assignment, prior to looking at any of this, is a discussion with the client about what they are trying to accomplish. If an independent grading of the stone is called for we do it right then, prior to looking at the other documentation. Why, I hear you ask?

One of the questions always asked is if the stone is the same one described on the report and, if there are any differences between my grading and the prior grading to discuss them. The straightforward way to do this is to have the reports on hand and to allow the appraiser to look at it immediately following the inspection. The customers almost always have a preformed opinion about the grading and attributes of the piece and where they think the value conclusion should be. Almost always, this opinion is based on the very documents we’re discussing. It’s nearly impossible to have a useful discussion about them without having them present.

The other big reason is that the lab report is part of the product. An AGS/2.00/F/VS1/Ideal is not the same product as an approx. 2.00/F/VS1 without the report, even when it’s describing the same stone. The same is true for a piece by a particular designer, from a particular store or any other non-gemological attribute to value. Clues to this come in the paperwork. If the final report is to be a pre-loss insurance document defining what it is and what it would cost to replace a particular design that’s only available at one store, what they are charging for it is an entirely relevant issue as is the manufacturers model number and possibly other details. In some sense, these are the MOST relevant issues. In most cases copies of these documents should be included in the appraisal report.

Clients often want to withhold this information either because they think it will result in a biased opinion or because they know that they contain a BS conclusion and therefore the entire report is useless. They were told it was a fabulous bargain and are concerned that they will lose the benefit of their bargain or, alternatively, they fear that they were ripped off and that the appraiser is (or will be) in on it. I must say from the other side of the counter that this game of ‘stump the appraiser’ is good fun and, for those of us who routinely charge by the hour, profitable, but I’m not sure it’s beneficial for the majority of clients since it only tangentially addresses the usual question at hand – Did you get what you thought you got and did you pay an appropriate price for it? That’s why the up front interview about what you want to learn from your appraisal session. Is the purpose of your visit really to second-guess the lab grading or are you there for something else entirely?

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

"Stump the Appraiser" IS good fun..but I prefer "Deal or No Deal," "To Tell The Truth" or "The Price Is Right (or Wrong)"

Consumers should know that it's in their best interest to bring their laboratory document to the appraisal session for verification
after we do our own work. It just makes good sense. I also perform the full evaluation while the client watches me work and questions
are always encouraged...in fact I don't let you leave until I've answered ALL of your questions.

Okay..you can go now

Jeff Averbook, GG
Graduate Gemologist since 1986
www.metrojewelryappraisers.com

 

[pixley]

Tee hee! Thanks Jeff. I actually did call in and speak to his assistant who said that he prefers not to have the paperwork initially and he likes to approach the appraisal without any preconceived ideas or information. I explained the background of my stone and offered to bring in or email them the additional information and she said she'd pass that along. When I asked why it was taking longer, she did confirm that he had put in a call to one of his colleagues for more information about this particular cut, so he could provide a more thorough appraisal. My guess is, he doesn't get a whole whack of old mine cushions in for appraisal and he wants to check with someone who is more familiar with them before he puts anything in writing, which seems reasonable enough to me.

 

[Modified Brilliant]

Thanks for the follow up, pixley. It sounds like a reasonable explanation
and it''s good that they''re keeping you informed of the progress.

Jeff Averbook,GG
Graduate Gemologist since 1986
www.metrojewelryappraisers.com

 

[strmrdr]

wine beer and cookies

 

[pixley]

Date: 2/24/2008 11:43:53 AM
Author: strmrdr
wine beer and cookies

Of course! It''s all so clear now. Will put those on my Sunday shopping list!