Posted: 8/14/2008 9:09:42 PM EDT
| I need to get the engagement ring I got my gf appraised. Do I just go to any jewelry store or ??? |
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be careful. you could get screwed. 1. some of them will swap diamonds if youre not aware. 2. get the diamond mapped. 3. "appraisals" are just that. remember that if you want to replace it, to get a "replacement" value/appraisal. 4. Diamond values will vary with whats hot in the market with respect to the type and color. |
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If you're only looking for an insurance appraisal any reputable diamond dealer will be able to provide you with one. Diamond appraisals fall into two catagories; "feel good" appraisals which overstate the value and therefore the amount you'll pay for insurance, or insurance appraisals which will more accurately reflect the replacement value. Reputable appraisors will do the appraisal in such a manner than the ring never leaves your sight so diamond switching won't be an issue.. If you bought a really expensive ring; you should have had it appraised not by a diamond dealer, but by an appraiser who isn't in the business of selling diamonds. And you should have had it appraised before you bought it. If you only need the appraisal for insurance purposes, not to prove to yourself that you paid the right price, I believe your insurancee company will accept your bill of sale for insurance purposes. |
go a local store, no chain and see if they can do it with you there i got mine done in 15 minutes while i stood there. He wrote everything down on a note pad, and signed it with this cert. # I used this for my appraisal for the insurance, and i was good to go - $25 |
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Why? An appraisal for a diamond means nothing. Literally. Don't believe me? When you get the appraisal, tell them, "I'll take it!" and see how fast they run to get you a check. Have you ever tried to sell a diamond? |
??? This makes no sense. There are three possibilities... 1) the appraisal is for more than the price, in which case you go  ; 2) the appraisal is for less than the price, in which case you say no thanks; or 3) the appraisal is for the price, in which case why bother with the appraisal?The idea that a diamond is "worth" anything other than the price it's about to change hands for is all part of the biggest scam in human history. |
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So, if you knew you weren't a diamond expert and didn't have a loupe, why did you buy? Why not wait until after you could be sure about the deal? Seriously, what are you going to do if an appraiser says, "Oh, man, you got screwed!" Run back for a refund, only to be told, "This isn't the diamond we sold you. Go pound sand."? |
You bought a diamond, therefore, you overpaid. |
Unfortunately, you posted this in GD, so you're going to need thick skin. You also have to understand that most people on this forum (mabye 95 out of 100) think that diamonds are artificially priced rocks that are a waste of money. Everything is relative to everyone. Some of these people have no problem spending $3K on a 1911 pistol or $500 for a lifetime membership to this board, which others would think is absurd. If you bought your diamond at a typical chain jeweler / retailer, chances are you overpaid. No big deal. Most people do. It's funny to see how most people think they know someone that is willing to lose money for them. Take it with a grain of salt. For insurance purposes, the jeweler who sold you the ring ought to provide you with an appraisal that's good enough. They should be willing to provide a thorough description of the diamond they sold you. As far as finding out if you got a good deal, well, you'll have to look up a jewelry appraiser and make sure they are a certified gemologist. Get it appraised and compare with what your jeweler gave you. If it doesn't match up by a long shot, you might have legal recourse. If it's close, just be happy and move on. |