In July I saw an ad for Sapphire (3 Carat total weight) and Diamond (3/8 Carat total weight) Halo Stud Earrings on sale from $11,550.00 to $5,197.50 at
a major retailor in Oak Brook. I went Oak Brook to see the earrings. The
items were not available for viewing and had to be ordered. So after determining that there was a 30 day return period I paid the $5,873.31 (with tax). The earrings arrived two weeks later and they looked great. I told the sales lady that I was going to get an appraisal on the jewelry.
I found Forbes Gemological Evaluation through an internet search and the fact that the firm was in Oak Park was quite convenient. I met Reginald Forbes and he did an evaluation of the earrings which took about 30 minutes. I was contacted two day later and told my Appraisal was complete and ready for pick up.
I was expecting a replacement value on the earrings to be between $7,500.00 and $9,500.00. I was stunned when I read the appraisal and the replacement value was listed at $4,200.00. This was $997.50 below what I had paid (not including tax) and $7,300.00 below the retail non-sale price!
Reginald than showed me what looked like the same earrings at a New York internet jeweler for $2,500.00. I went back to the Oak Brook Mall and showed the appraisal and the ad from the New York internet jeweler to my Sales Lady. The Sales Lade basically just shrugged her shoulder and said,
"That is how they sell jewelry here". I told her that she has two choices, I keep the earrings I have or I get a refund. She went to her calculator and came back with, "the best I can do is $4,000.00", which is still below appraisal price'
and below what I paid. I received my full refund.
That same day I went to the website of the New York dealer. There was a $175.00 discount if you purchased an item over a certain amount. I ordered the earrings however when I when to pay there was no $175.00 discount. I went to the "Chat Now" option in the lower right hand corner of the screen and asked about the $175.00 discount. The answer came back "Open the link", which I did and the discount was $525.00 and not $175.00! (I like)
The final purchase price was $2,100.00 with NO sales tax.
The earrings arrived and I took the earrings to Reginald for an appraisal.
The replacement value was listed at $2,600.00. This is $500.00 more than I paid. I was quite happy. The earrings are identical to the naked eye
Reginald performed a very professional evaluation and additionally gave me advice which in the end saved me about $3,500.00. I highly recommend
Forbes Gemological Evaluation. read more