Diamond Buying Guide

Helpful Resources for Buying Diamonds

Insurance
Insuring high-value personal property is a good idea, and your jewelry is no exception. Homeowner's and renter's insurance policies usually offer full coverage for jewelry theft, but not necessarily damage or loss. Carefully review your policy. Depending on the value of your collection, you might consider insurance specifically for your jewelry. Ask whether this policy would cover unset gemstones and antique jewelry.

Learn about Appraisals
While GIA can’t recommend an individual appraiser, there are several appraisal associations and networks that can help you locate one in your area. These are national associations that have members all over the country, and many require that their appraisers have a Graduate Gemology (G.G.) diploma from GIA in addition to supplemental appraisal training.

In the United States

American Gem Society
8881 West Sahara Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89117
(702) 255-6500
www.ags.org

American Society of Appraisers
555 Herndon Parkway #125
Herndon, VA 20170
(703) 478-2228 or (800) 272-8258
www.appraisers.org

Appraisers Association of America, Inc.
386 Park Ave. S. #2000
New York, NY 10016
(212) 889-5404
http://www.appraisersassoc.org/

International Society of Appraisers
16040 Christensen Road, Suite 102
Seattle, WA 98188-2929
Toll free (888) 472-4732 or (206) 241-0359
E-mail: isahq@isa-appraisers.org
www.isa-appraisers.org

The Jewelry Judge Network
Telephone: (866) 558-3431
www.jewelryjudge.net

National Association of Jewelry Appraisers
P.O. Box 18
Rego Park, NY  11374-0018
(718) 896-1536
E-mail: naja.appraisers@netzero.net
www.NAJAappraisers.com

Outside the United States

Accredited Appraiser Program
Canadian Jewellers Association
600 – 27 Queen Street East
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5C 2M6
Toll free (800) 580-0942
E-mail: cji@canadianjewellers.com
www.canadianjewellers.com/html/aap.htm

Association of Jewellery Appraisers
66 London Road 
Coalville, Leicestershire, UK  LE67 3JA 
E-mail: info@ajappraisers.org
www.ajappraisers.org

Jewellery Appraisers Society of New Zealand Inc.
Telephone: +64 7 543 9282
Contact Graeme Peterson
E-mail: carver.petersen@xtra.co.nz
www.jewelleryappraisers.org.nz

Diamond Pricing Guides
GIA does not comment on the value of gemstones but there are several companies that publish pricing guides for diamonds and colored stones.

The Diamond Registry® Bulletin
580 Fifth Avenue, Suite 806
New York, NY 10036
(212) 575-0444
www.diamondregistry.com
Monthly
Diamond prices only

The GemGuide
Gemworld International, Inc.
630 Dundee Road, Ste. 230
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 564-0555 or (888) 436-4843
http://www.gemguide.com/
Bimonthly
Diamond and colored stone prices

Michelsen Gemstone Index
Center for the Study of Gemstone Evaluation
P.O. Box 1782
Port Angeles, WA 98362
(360) 928-0134
www.gemstoneindex.com
e-mail: diamonds@warwick.net
Quarterly
Diamond and colored stone prices and estimated fancy-color diamond prices

Polygon Network, Inc.
P.O. Box 4806
Dillon, CO 80435
(800) 221-4435 (Sales)
(303) 590-0250
http://www.polygon.net
Diamond and colored stone prices

Rapaport Diamond Report
1212 Avenue of the Americas
Suite 1103
New York, NY 10036
(212) 354-9100
http://www.diamonds.net
Weekly
Diamond prices only

Michael Goldstein, Ltd.
Antique-Cut Diamonds
580 Fifth Ave, Ste 903
New York, NY 10036
(800) 235-6581
http://www.antiquediamond.com/
Quarterly
Antique-cut diamond price guide

What is a Graduate Gemologist (G.G.)?
Created in 1931, the prestigious GIA Graduate Gemologist diploma teaches jewelers the science and technical knowledge needed to deal with the entire spectrum of diamonds and colored stones. The distinguished G.G. designation at the end of an individual’s name is instantly recognized around the world as the mark of a senior professional in the jewelry industry.

What is an Accredited Jewelry Professional (A.J.P.)?
The GIA Accredited Jewelry Professional diploma is designed specifically for sales associates and provides them essential product knowledge they need to provide customers with accurate diamond information.

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This page was last updated 03/27/2009 02:17:26 PM