Diamond Appraisal

When you buy a home, chances are an appraiser has visited the home in order to establish the true market value of the property. Why should purchasing a valuable diamond be any different?

In the past, consumers might have been concerned that a diamond retailer could be misrepresenting a diamond's color, clarity or carat weight. Today, however, the list of possible deceptions is much longer.

Has the stone been treated to enhance its appearance?

Is the diamond man-made?

Has the retailer secretly swapped diamonds, selling one but delivering another?

Is the stone's grading report legitimate, and does it belong to the actual stone?

Is the stone even a real diamond?

The list could go on and on, which is why securing the services of an independent appraiser before purchasing a diamond is so important.

Selecting an Appraiser

Appraising a diamond involves two primary steps. The first step falls under gemology, or the science and art of gemstones. An appraiser must be able to identify or authenticate the stone. Quality appraisers will have undergone rigorous training from prestigious organizations, such as the Gemological Institute of America, or GIA.

Such training consists of teaching a strict approach to grading that involves a variety of tools for evaluating fluorescence, comparison stones for color, microscopic examination, a standardized environment, and cutting treatments and other processes involved in preparing diamonds for sale. An appraiser who has undergone such training will have an identifier following their signatures, such as "G.G.", which indicates that the appraiser is a Graduate Gemologist with a diploma issued by GIA for expertise in gemology.

This training, however, does not involve assigning a value to a diamond, which is the second step of a diamond appraisal. Assigning a value to a diamond involves not only evaluating the stone but all the craftsmanship of the final piece. When selecting an appraiser, you will want to find one that has top gemological credentials and additional credentials and training in appraising. Many qualified appraisers will have received one or more credentials from the National Association of Jewelry, the American Society of Appraisers, the American Gem Society or the International Society of Appraisers.

You also want to use an independent appraiser. For many years, dishonest jewelers have been offering 'appraisals' of their pieces, knowing that having an appraisal is a powerful selling tool. However, such appraisals were often inaccurate, with the stone being assigned a much higher value than it should receive. Because of this abuse, consumers should seek the services of an appraiser who does not sell gems or jewelry and who has no vested interest in the outcome of the appraisal.

Many jewelry retailers will offer a window of time to return the piece for a full refund. A consumer can use this time to obtain an inspection of the piece from an independent appraiser who can confirm the dealer's claims about the stone as well as offer additional insight that might have been omitted by the dealer. Often, a consumer can get the best possible price for a piece of jewelry just by telling the retailer that the deal will be contingent on the opinion of an independent appraiser.