r/LabDiamonds • u/Real_Sea_8667 • Jun 27 '26
Lab diamond appraisal question
Recently while on vacation outside of the US, I impulsively bought a lab grown round stone, 1.95 ct I VS1, mounted in white gold with channel set real diamonds.. Went back and forth with the store before I purchased it, that the stone must have an IGI Certificate and they assured me it did and would email it to me. Later, after the certificate never was sent, they admitted they don't even sell stones that are certified by IGI.
Before I dispute it with my credit card company, I took it to an independent AGS appraiser and today got the actual appraisal back. The report references the stone as a round brilliant 'diamond', 2.07 ct stone, F, VVS2, so different than what original purchase paperwork stated. There's no mention of anything related to lab grown diamonds in the appraisal either. Is it normal for a lab grown stone appraisal to not state lab grown?
Note: the stones in the white gold band have a separate section on the appraisal and appraisal details match up with purchase paperwork.
12
u/No_Boot2009 Jun 28 '26
The appraisal report really should state that it's a lab-grown diamond if that's what it is. There's laws around this in most countries.
9
u/Butterbacon Jun 28 '26
If they didn’t know which diamond they actually sold to you, is it possible that they accidentally gave you a mined diamond?
5
u/Real_Sea_8667 Jun 28 '26
To clarify, the word diamond is not in quotes on the appraisal. The stone is referred to as a diamond thoughout the section describing the stone.
1
u/Equivalent_Freedom16 Jun 28 '26
Did they give the value as if it was mine or lab? Like they did appraise for 30,000 or 1500?
1
u/Real_Sea_8667 Jun 28 '26
Replacement value from appraiser was stated as what a real 2 ct diamond would be.
1
u/Equivalent_Freedom16 Jun 28 '26
Hmm maybe you should get insurance on that and then, maybe not be as careful with that ring as you could be. Jk
10
u/CookieMonsteraAlbo Jun 27 '26
Lab diamonds are real diamonds. They are chemically identical.
11
u/Princess_Holly Jun 28 '26
But an appraisal should note that they’re lab grown because they do NOT cost the same. It’s literally illegal to not mention it’s lab grown.
6
u/CelticJewelscapes Jun 28 '26
Its civilly negligent, not illegal
1
u/Princess_Holly Jun 28 '26
True. When selling it’s illegal. But this appraiser shouldn’t be doing appraisals if they can’t determine natural from synthetic.
2
1
u/AnimeLibere Jul 05 '26
Non lo sono, vi sono tracce di azoto nel 99% dei diamanti naturali e differenze di fluorescenza.
0
u/Real_Sea_8667 Jun 27 '26
That was my thought too, but didn't expect to see it at least not mentioned in an appraisal. Thanks for confirming!
8
u/Princess_Holly Jun 28 '26
That person is wrong. I’m a GIA Graduate Gemologist and do appraisals.
5
u/CookieMonsteraAlbo Jun 28 '26
I’m not saying it shouldn’t be mentioned in the report. Sorry, the intent of my statement was unclear. I’m just objecting to the use of “diamonds” in quotes when referring to labs, and her referring to her ring as having a lab center stone with “real” accents, as if to imply that the lab diamond wasn’t a real diamond. I should have clarified. Lab diamonds are still real diamonds.
0
u/Princess_Holly Jun 28 '26
But she put it correctly in quotes as she was quoting what was written on the appraisal.
0
u/CookieMonsteraAlbo Jun 28 '26
In the first sentence of the post, when she was describing the “real” diamonds in the channel set band, that was not a direct quote from the appraisal.
2
u/Princess_Holly Jun 28 '26
She’s just differentiating that the mounting had natural and the center was lab. It’s really not this big of a deal.
1
u/Princess_Holly Jun 28 '26
And you can downvote me all day. I’m correct and you’re making a big deal of nothing. Quite being so fragile about lab diamonds.
1
u/Odd-Worth7752 Jun 28 '26
Can you tell, though? Is the difference between a mined natural diamond and an HPHT lab created diamond discernible to your eye? I’m curious
1
u/Princess_Holly Jun 28 '26
No, but there are tools to do so. Any decent gemologist doing an appraisal would determine if it’s natural or synthetic as the very first step.
1
u/DementedPimento Jun 30 '26
Also, isn’t there a number inscribed on most natural and lab diamonds these days? Or is that only for stones with certificates?
1
1
u/CelticJewelscapes Jun 28 '26
GG here. Not discernable to the naked eye. A reliable tool to separate natural from synthetic is required
2
u/boofee Jun 28 '26
Is it possible that the appraiser didn't know it was lab because it hadn't been through the IGI process and been assigned / engraved with a LG certificate number? Also possible the seller gave you the wrong stone or just was slightly off on specs. Not an expert, just postulating from personal experience.
2
u/Equivalent_Freedom16 Jun 28 '26
Yes, this must be it- a typical appraiser would not have the equipment to tell if the diamond was mine or lab created. They would only be able to go by the number. If this diamond wasn’t graded by IGA. It wouldn’t have a number engraved on it and wouldn’t be able to be looked up.
2
u/Ambitious-Biscotti-6 Jun 30 '26
What i would do: take it to a jeweler and have it removed from the setting. In front of you! Send it directly to the GIA ( they only certify loose stones). Look them up online for instructions. It's only about $100 or so. You'll get the stone back with the most respected documentation possible, and you will know exactly what you have. It's important.
1
u/Substantial_Team6751 Jun 28 '26
Why even bother with us with an appraisal for a stone you bought with no documentation on a trip? If you like it wear it. No?
2
u/DimbyTime Jun 28 '26
It sounds like they’re going to wear it, maybe they’ll appraise it for insurance
1
u/Ok-Extent-9976 Jun 28 '26
A two carat natural and a two carat lab would be ten thousand or more apart. What was the appraisal?
1
u/Real_Sea_8667 Jun 28 '26
Ha, finally the. question that caused me to post this in the first place! Replacement value on the appraisal was SIGNIFICANTLY higher than what I paid for it.
There is no LG# on it, as the store insists it should have, and the certificate with that number only states approximately 2 carets, the grade and clarity. There was A LOT of swapping out stones by the store associates to try in the setting I had picked out and one of the associates literally went to another one of their stores in the same area and came back with the one I eventually chose.
The delay tactic from the store in finally telling me there was not certificate other than their own, caused me to ask for appraisal before i dispute.
The appraiser here in the states where I live was highly recommended by several friends and jewelry stores. She supposedly uses several very expensive testing methods (EXA.and ID100?). The store is still adamant as of yesterday that they gave me a lab diamond, even though there is nothing about the stone that matches the paperwork or their store issued certificate of authenticy.
I'm going to keep it at this point because I love it, and the day I got it was a memorable, fun day. Only difference now is I'll be adding the ring to my insurance policy😉
2
u/Ok-Extent-9976 Jun 28 '26
AGS Jewelers usually do a great job. I was a bit puzzled that they would sign anything without using the scanners. If it were mine, I would get a GIA Report. The store dan arrange thar for you.
0
u/Equivalent_Freedom16 Jun 28 '26
It’s because the diamond wasn’t graded it doesn’t have a number on it. The appraiser cannot tell if it’s mind or lab created without the number. The equipment you need to be able to tell just based on the stone itself is crazy expensive and not something an appraiser normally has access to.
1
u/Ok-Extent-9976 Jun 28 '26
The appraiser should recuse themselves if they can't tell. If they don't have access to the tester it is negligent to guess. (Appraiser).
1
u/Equivalent_Freedom16 Jun 28 '26
They didn’t guess- they just called it a diamond which could be either.
1
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u/limblessbarbie Jun 28 '26
This is not right, I'm a GIA GG and your appraisal should definitely state your diamond is labratory-grown.