Diamond valuation suggestions

absolutereturn

Hi guys,

I've not been here for ages so admin please feel free to move this thread to the right spot. You may have heard about "Cash in the Attic" but how about cash in your old paperwork? :j

As it happens, I recently came across a plastic envelope containing a laminated report and a little container with a stone inside. I've had this for 12 years and all the time I was thinking it was just a little novelty, given to me as a travel souvenir by a former colleague. :rotfl:

Somehow it occurred to me that it may not be a novelty after all :idea: so the other day I uploaded the report to one of those sites that offer online valuations and, to my surprise, the day after I got an email followed by a phone call! I was ready to hang up as soon as I hear it was a worthless piece of glass and the report was no more than a 'sample' report (it does say 'sample' on the report). As it happens, the guys in question could, subject to visual examination by their experts, offer £2,000 to £3,500 for it! :T:T:snow_laug

These guys said themselves they are intermediaries and don't pay as much as a direct sale. I've seen some places that do free valuations but they are the ones who buy the stones themselves, others do them for insurance purposes but do charge quite a bit. I already have a report although it's from a gemology lab in Dubai and not one of the best known names.

I was wondering whether anyone out there could suggest a good place to get a valuation. If visual inspection is required I'd rather it was somewhere I can just hop on a train to rather than going through the motions of posting (and praying it arrives safely), although the thing has been all the way to Spain and back without insurance or anyone knowing it was worth anything (10 years ago)! :eek::eek::eek: London would do nicely as I'm in the South East.

I realise this is a bit of a strange 'money saving tip' request but this is a mega-super-site so hopefully someone can recommend something or maybe suggest another site to post on.

Thanks :xmastree:

Upsidedown_Bear

A local jeweller that sells second hand jewellery (ie not Ratners :eek: or the like) would be my suggestion. Any reputable jeweller would be able to value it for you.
Just remember you are under not obligation to sell it to them after valuation.

absolutereturn

Thanks, I just wondered whether they'd quote a deliberately lower value than, say, an insurance valuation for the sake of getting it sold cheap. For example the guys I contacted even offer free insured postage to send the stone over to them for inspection (and return it if not agreed to sale). They must be getting the cash to cover from this from the spread between the buy and sale prices!

I've just found the MSE guide to selling gold and I'm reading it: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/gold-selling-sites#jewel

absolutereturn

I wonder whether I should just head for Hatton Garden and go door-to-door, I know the area quite well, but not for selling diamonds.

Upsidedown_Bear

absolutereturn wrote: »

I wonder whether I should just head for Hatton Garden and go door-to-door, I know the area quite well, but not for selling diamonds.

Sounds like a plan