QuestionQUESTION: I just purchased a tanzanite gemstone online and the seller is offering a CGJL certificate of evaluation for an additional price. Is there any benefit to having this certificate? I know I bought the cart before the horse, but I am trying to catch up now. You are the first entity I have found that might be able to answer this question for me. I have found loads of info about my other questions related to this purchase, but can find no info on this subject. I thank you for your time and quick response in advance.
ANSWER: Hello Grace,
I am not really familiar with CGJL.. and I'm guessing it is a grading report not an appraisal of value..
you should call them and find out the following ....what kind of a report is it and how much do they charge...? if it's reasonable it would be a good thing to have with the stone especially if you may resell.. hopefully the seller is not trying to make money on the report as well...?.. do not pay any more than cost ..... if you go to an appraiser and you bring this report it makes
his appraisal more accurate... I am familiar with the GIA and they are very good and very reasonable you can go to their website GIA.edu
and see what they offer. Buying loose stones is really a jungle
if you are not an expert... I assume you know the Kansan night is a very soft stone and can scratch easily... it really is not recommended for Rings... let me know if I can be of any further help good luck..
regards Rolfe
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Nope, not even close to an expert. What is Kansan night? I lived in Kansas for 30 years - saw many of them, but yours sounds ominous.
The CGJL certificate of evaluation is from Canada -on the certificate there is a picture of the stone,information on size, color, tone, saturation, clarity, cut (no hardness)and estimated REPLACEMENT value. Should probably have told you this to begin with. He also offers a 105% return guarentee if the piece does not appraise out to the estimated value. Although, there is a 10% restocking fee, so he would still make out. Anyway.
The seller states that this is not a GIA certification on his website. Any other insite on this subject? Thanks again for you time and expertise.
AnswerHi... well you do know what Kansas night rhymes with...?
that would be Tanzanite... so much for my speech recognition program..
I was trying to tell you is that Tanzanite is very soft scratches easily... you have to be careful that the CGJL certificate doesn't folow under the category of you can print anything and it will be believed... 105% return guarantee is based on whos' appraisal...?.. I think if you took the stone into three appraisers you might get three different prices... I know of an appraiser who once let a friend of mine put his own price in the appraisal...
yes the 10% restocking fee is not a bad return for a couple weeks..
the GIA is the Gemological Institute of America they are recognized worldwide... they will not give you an appraisal rather they will grade the stone and are very reasonable... with this rating in hand, any professional appraiser to be far off the value is unlikely..
go to GIA.EDU and you will see a lot of information there...
it is also the approach that if you like it don't worry about what you paid
regards Rolfe
