Is it possible to have a diamond appraised privately before purchasing it at a jewelry store? Can we leave a deposit and take it to our assessor? Is that done? Is it common?

I know that it is possible to hire a professional jeweler or appraiser to go around with you when you're shopping for diamond jewelry. It would probably cost you, but better safe than sorry I always say. Another idea would be to ask to see the diamond's certificate and to have it photocopied. You can take the certificate's photocopy to a local jeweler or appraiser you trust and have him tell you whether the diamond is good quality and whether it is good value. The store may even agree to let you photograph the diamond jewelry so that you can show pictures to your jewelers (although I wouldn't really count on that since most stores do not allow their products to be photographed).

• 0
• 0

Yes, that is definitely done in some cases. Some stores will let you ask your own appraisers to take a look at an expensive piece of jewelry and make sure its quality is to your standards. However, and this is a very very important "however". You must make absolutely certain that the deposit you are requested to leave at the jewelry store is refundable.Some stores will trick you into leaving a deposit and going out to have the diamond appraised. Then upon your return, if you decide not to make the purchase, these stores will not give you a refund. They will keep your money. This is very sadly one of the top 20 diamond schemes going on nowadays. The way to make sure this will not happen to you is not to leave a deposit unless you have a written guarantee that you will indeed get your money back upon return of the diamond piece to the store. Too many stores out there will try to give you credit towards a different product. Also make absolutely sure that the sales people write down the measurements, color, clarity, shape and size of the diamond you left a deposit on.

• 0
• 0

The diamond's certificate should really be enough for you. Appraising is mainly done for insurance purpose, and is not necessarily in order to determine whether the diamond is high quality or high value. Make sure to educate yourself on the various diamond characteristics and look at diamond price comparisons online before making your buy. That way, when you get to the store it'll be enough to have a look at the diamond's certificate to know whether you are making a good buy.

• 0
• 0

Ask the jewelry store whether it has an online webpage. You can look for the diamond jewelry online then send its details to your jeweler so that he can have a look. You could always go back and buy it at the store after you'd gotten an estimate from the jeweler.

• 0
• 0