Evaluation Process

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The Evaluation Process for Accredited Diamond & Gem Jewelry Appraisals

An Accredited Evaluation Process that Validates Your Jewelry Appraisals

Carat Weight

If your diamond is mounted, the carat weight is estimated during the appraisal process by using a standard formula for the type of cut for your stone. If your stone is un-mounted, it is directly weighed on a digital carat weight scale. The actual weight will be noted in the report.

Color Analysis

The amount of inherent color in your diamond will be evaluated and compared to GIA master graded diamonds under proper daylight diamond grading lamps. We then assign a letter grade for your color type using the GIA color grading system and this is noted in the report. Our lab has a full set of master graded diamonds graded and certified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) which we use for comparison.

Clarity

An essential part of the Jewelry Appraisal process requires us to judge the internal characteristics (or inclusions) under a high powered gemological microscope. We use a plot diagram to show the location and type of inclusion. A clarity grade using the GIA clarity grading system will be assigned and noted in the report.

Diamond Grading

All diamonds over 1/2 carat will be issued a diamond grading report.

Cut Grade

A cutting class is assigned based on the stone cutting proportions and is noted in the report.

Finish

In the Jewel Appraisal process, symmetry and Polish will be assessed and given a grade of Poor to Excellent and noted in the report.

Colored Stone Grading

All colored stones over one carat will be issued a colored stone grading report.

Fluorescence

Your diamond will be tested for a reaction to long wave and short wave ultra violet light. The findings will be noted in the report.

Enhancements

Any and all enhancements that are detectable by gemological testing will be noted in the report.

Cutting Proportions

As part of the appraisal, the cutting proportions of your diamond are evaluated. This includes measurements of the diameter or length and width, as well as the depth of your diamond. Depth%, Table%, Crown Angle, and Girdle Thickness are all evaluated and noted in the final report.

Hue (color)

A very important part of the Jewelry Appraisal process is the viewing of the color of your stone and then comparing it to a GIA master color comparison set to determine the stones color or hue. All this information will be noted in the report.

Carat Weight

If your stone is mounted, the carat weight is estimated by using a standard formula for the variety and cut type of your stone. If your stone un-mounted, it is directly weighed on a digital carat weight scale. The weight is noted in the report.

Tone

We use our Jewelry Appraisal expertise to examine the degree of lightness or darkness of the color of the stone. Once evaluated, our findings are noted in the report.

Saturation of Color

The saturation of color inherent throughout the stone is evaluated and noted.

Cutting Proportions

Depth%, Table%, Girdle thickness are evaluated and noted.

Cut Grade

Cutting class based on the stones cutting proportions is evaluated and noted in the report.

Clarity Type

The clarity type is noted for your variety of colored stone.

Clarity

A clarity grade is assigned that is appropriate for the clarity type for your stone and noted in the report.

Finish

In our Jewelry Appraisal service, symmetry and polish will be observed and given a grade of Poor to Excellent and noted in the report.

Enhancements

Any and all enhancements that are detectable by gemological testing will be noted in the report.

Mounting Attributes for Jewel Appraisal Services:

A complete evaluation of the mounting is done and is described in detail in the final report.

Each piece of jewelry will be weighed, measured and described in detail.

In our Jewelry Appraisal process, inscriptions, hallmarks, karat stampings, signatures and any other identifying markings are noted in detail.

Any additional diamond accents or colored stones are evaluated for clarity, color and carat weight and are estimated using the appropriate formulas. These findings are noted in the report.

Custom design and hand fabricated work, along with signed pieces, are noted and taken into account in the final value conclusion.