Great experience all the proper equipment all in one place. Located in central Vegas.

Great experience! Michael was prompt to reply with a price quote and was very knowledgeable!

Superior value!! Extremely thorough at a more than fair price. We met Michael at his laboratory to grade a diamond. I was not expecting much; we only wanted to see the GIA laser inscription on the diamond. Michael performed 8 different tests and explained every step along the way. The diamond never left our sight. He had high end equipment and he let us observe each step along the way. We learned so much. I recommend Michael without reservation. It was safe, thorough, very detailed, and affordable. I trust his expertise and would refer a friend without hesitation. read more

Good guy, superb knowledge base, enjoyed meeting and working with him. Would highly recommend!

Michael is one of those guys that has an immense wealth of knowledge on all things science, super smart dude. I paid $40 for a verbal gem identification and he was kind enough to look at a few other stones for me. He explained how his machinery works and some of the differences between the various different stones that he encounters. I'm not a very book smart person so I had a hard time absorbing all of his knowledge on the spot, but I enjoyed learning about about his trade and the various different sciences of gemology. If you have a gem that you need identified/appraised or a stone put into a ring, or anything else related to gemology, I highly recommend him...he's very professional and I think you'd be hard pressed to find a more qualified local gemologist. Thanks Mike, I hope to see you in the future...only this time with a natural 4ct diamond and not a CZ! read more

I had acquired a ring that I wanted to get appraised, this was for retail and insurance purposes. Reading reviews, I decided on The Diamond Grader. Michael Hutton responded to my email promptly and I was able to setup an appointment. After Michael professional cleaned and polished the ring, he then explained each step, the way he weighed it, looked at the stone's clarity, color and cut. I felt he was very thorough and his explanations of what and why he was doing demonstrated his extreme knowledge. His final appraisal was fair and the paperwork to back-up his methodology was well detailed. read more

I used this business to get a professional appraisal And that is what I received Michael is knowledgeable in the world of jewelry Like no other He has tons of equipment To use To get exactly what you need from him He does not keep the jewelry That is a plus He takes pictures and you can come back for the paperwork another time. Best in the city of Las Vegas. read more

I found the appraiser very knowledgeable and experience. Originally purchased engagement ring from a retailer and took it in for an appraisal. After the education I received from Michael, I returned the ring and purchased a bigger and better ring from an online retailer for a lower price. Could not have done this without Michael's help and expertise. If you are looking for an appraisal and some education, The Diamond Grader is the place to go. read more

Michael was very professional and thorough. He explained his steps as he proceeded through the appraisal process. He patiently answered any questions I had. He also graded my engagement diamond (color and clarity) exactly like the GIA report. Therefore, I can conclude he is extremely accurate! I highly recommend him. read more

This was my first experience dealing with heirloom jewelry and my wife and I didn't know what to expect. After researching appraisers in the area, The Diamond Grader kept appearing. We read a number of reviews and decided to make an appointment with Michael. We arrived at his business location and were invited inside. Michael gave us a brief tour of his facility and then we discussed my grand-fathers ring and what type of appraisal we needed. Then our education began. From start to finish Michael walked us through the entire process explaining in great detail how each item was to be examined, graded and finally evaluated. It was a very eye opening experience for my wife and I. He was extremely professional and highly knowledgeable. I never knew there was so much about fine jewelry. In the end we received our appraisal and he went above and beyond anything we might have expected. He even discovered a flaw in the casting of the ring and referred us to an excellent repair shop. My wife and I would highly recommend Michael for your appraisal needs. read more

The Diamond Grader - Jewelry Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

If you are reading this review to decide if Michael Hutton is worth checking into, you will absolutely experience the best service ever from a diamond grader. Michael worked with me to find the best stones for my budget. He is extremely meticulous in his work and research. He stays focused on his research and will report to you as often as there is an update, and also in between making sure your satisfaction is still there. I live in San Antonio and my husband and I were on a trip to Vegas. We checked out a couple of jewelers that boasted great prices and quality diamonds but were quickly disheartened with what we found. On our way to the airport to return home I googled diamond graders and up popped Michael. We established a relationship via phone/email. We returned to Vegas and met with him in person. 2 months later I had the most beautiful diamonds being shipped to me. The transaction was very smooth and fast forward, the diamonds are INCREDIBLY beautiful. Michael literally educated us on the diamonds - and if you're lucky to get him to work for you, you will LOVE his history. We met him at his home/office with plenty of security and visited with him for a couple of hours during which time we continued to be amazed at this knowledge and patience with our questions. He has some state of the art equipment and showed us some pretty cool stuff. Some of the words that best describe Michael are "professional, knowledgeable, friendly, diligent, compassionate, fair, jovial". Hope anyone reading this can check out Michael for themselves because you will quickly understand why he has a 5 star rating. read more

See all

This guy knows his stuff! I inherited a bag full of jewelry from my mom and I wasn't sure what I had. Michael helped me sort out what was fake, gold, semi-precious, and precious. When he saw the pile, he suggested an hourly rate to save me money over the piece rate. He then thoroughly went over each piece with me and was more than generous with his time. Turns out the earrings I thought were fake were real diamonds! If it had been piece rate, maybe I wouldn't have bothered asking him to check those. I got quite the education. I loved his scientific approach: observing, measuring, comparing. His lab is set up such that the customer has a screen and can see what he sees when he looks at the gem under the microscope. The jewelry was never out of my sight, not that I was worried for a second. I felt very secure in his lab. This was a great experience. read more

Best Bang for your Buck! Michael is a really down-to-earth, all around great guy! I bought in three pieces of diamond for him to check out, especially since I know nothing much about diamonds. He spent 3 hours, meticulously examining each and every one of the diamonds, and even taught me and my fiancé about our ring. At first, I thought our ring was overpriced and that I bought a fake one, but Michael showed me with all his tools that my ring was LEGIT, and I was a happy camper through and through. Overall, the 3 hours for $75 was more than a bargain. I learned so much and Michael was so passionate about his work that I couldn't help but indulge in his enthusiasm and had some fun myself. Anyways, I couldn't ask for a better person to check out my diamonds and I extremely satisfied with Michael's work. Really appreciate it buddy! No seriously, go to him for any diamond/jewelry needs guys! :) read more

The Diamond Grader - Jewelry Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

I highly recommend Michael Hutton. He is very knowledgable about all things including gemology. I had him do a gem ID on a necklace I purchased and he took the time to explain what we were looking at and made me feel good about my purchase which a lot of jewelers might not have done because they want you to purchase from them. His location is safe and very secure which I liked when bringing my jewelry and I will definitely be using his services in the future and will recommend him to everyone and I am one tough customer. It was almost like a field trip to see the gems in his office and the various stages of cutting and learning about the process. LOVED IT. Thank you Michael, you are a delightful person. read more

Pretty skeptical about anyone in this field just because I knew nothing about diamonds and was scared to just take anyone's word for it. After meeting with Michael I must say I got some of the best service I've ever encountered--in any field. Very thorough, and walks you through each step of the way. Explains how he weighs and shows it in multiple variations to ensure the client understands. Very professional and nothing but great intentions. Do yourself a favor and look no further! Great gemologist and even better person. read more

Finest expertise in diamonds I have ever witnessed. Prices are so affordable I felt guilty paying so little. He explains the entire methodology and gives advice on the Las Vegas diamond market. Great expertise and excellent experience. read more

We needed an updated appraisal for the engagement ring my husband bought me for insurance purposes. I was led to Michael via other Yelpers' outstanding reviews of his business, and righteously so. Michael responded to my initial emails about setting an appointment for the appraisal, and asked for photos of my engagement ring for an appraisal estimate. Open communication from the beginning though. I can tell you all right now that his contact preferences are phone calls and text messages to his business cell phone. Like other Yelpers have pointed out, this is in a residential area, so call Michael when you arrive, so he can direct you to the business entrance. During the appointment, which lasted about 1 to 2 hours, Michael had me shadow him the entire time for quality assurance and consumer protection. Now that is extremely considerate of him because this engagement ring is honestly one of my most prized possessions. Also similar to others' experiences, he talked me through his appraisal process, and shared what he analyzed. I think the only thing that's been different from others is that he had to clean my ring for accuracy. I haven't used it for awhile, but when I did, I never took that thing off X_x Embarrassing, but true. Did Michael make me feel ashamed? Nope. He's truly a courteous professional. Towards the end of the appointment, he took pictures for his future reference. Then, later in the evening, he followed-up with a request for me to get my original appraisal that was done for James Allen (New York jewelry retailer) through IGI (International Gemological Institute) for more information. Now that's being thorough. Michael texted me about 3 to 5 days when the appraisal was finalized, setting up the last appointment to pick up the appraisal's paperwork. At the time of pickup, he went through the last details of his process, and collected payment. The price of his appraisal is dependent on the value of your gems/items. Knowing this, be aware that the original estimate could go up. Since my engagement ring's overall value went up, my appraisal's fee went up also. WORTH IT considering the level of professionalism and courtesy Michael provided. Michael and his business is the perfect example of a trusted, local establishment. read more

What can I say he is AMAZING! I took my engagement ring to get it appraised and just learn a little bit more about my ring. Let me tell you, I learned so much about my ring and diamonds in general!! It made me fall more in love with my ring even more !! I love how patient he is and how he walks you through each and every step of the process, I definitely recommend going here !! read more

I have been a client for many years and used this services for me and my family! I'm very happy with a quality work provided by Mike. HIs attention to details is superb and quality of his work is so professional that I'd never used anyone else! His passion for what he does is remarkable and knowledge of business is vast. Definitely very educational information is presented during his appraisal sessions. I've learned so much and keep learning! Make sure to book him next time you need Appraisor! read more

Michael recently helped me with an appraisal I needed on my engagement ring (for insurance purposes) and he was fantastic - extremely professional, and knowledgeable, and he completed my appraisal quickly and for a reasonable price. I stayed with him while he evaluated my ring, and he taught me all kinds of things about diamonds and how they are graded, and walked me through every step of the process. It was a great experience, and I learned a lot! I would definitely recommend Michael for anyone looking for appraisal services. read more

UPDATE: the rude and unprofessional Michael rears his ugly head. The website he's provided does not provide 1-carat lab-grown diamonds for $800 as he states. It's says that they will in the future *eyeroll*. Maybe a gimmick by DeBeers to scare people into not buying lab grown diamonds and to try and keep their natural diamond prices as high as possible? Idk. What I DO KNOW is that every jeweler i went to offered to buy the wedding set from me for 3-4x Michael's stated retail value. I guess every jeweler that offered to buy the lab-grown diamond from me for $8,000+ is an idiot! YOU must be the only one that sees clearly, Michael. Would you like to provide a link to a website where we can actually in real life currently buy lab-grown diamonds at your stated price? For now I'll provide a picture of my appraisal that was done by someone who doesn't work out of the converted garage of their small home. I guess it's just a complete coincidence that a well-known and reputable master gemologist appraised the wedding set at a nearly identical value to the retail price that my friend quoted me. Seriously people, look at how this guy behaves. He works out of his converted garage for crying out loud! Do yourself a favor when getting your appraisal, go to a legitimate business. Not the garage of someone with a small handful of reviews on Yelp. It's a lot of money at stake. You'll sleep much more soundly. read more

See all

I bought a wedding band online and I needed to make sure that their appraisal was correct. They insisted that if it was not up to par that I needed to get a GIA diamond expert to redo the appraisal. I did a quick google search and found the diamond grader. I then did some extra research on yelp and only found two reviews but both were positive so I made an appointment. My husband and I show up to the address and it is a residential area and I immediately check the address to make sure that it's correct and yep, we are at the right place! I've never done an appraisal at someones home before so I was a little nervous about the setting to say the least. We were there a little early so I texted him letting him know and he was very accommodating to let us in early. Just so you know, you enter a security "cage" at the back part of his home And he has a really clean home office with all the equipment you could possibly need to look at diamonds and any gemstone in general. This review will be very lengthy because there's not that much information on him besides his website and I really cannot say enough about how great of an experience we had. Cost: Verbal appraisal: $25 Written: $50 His verbal appraisal was so in depth and educational that I felt bad only paying $25. Your jewelry never leaves your sight and he is extremely professional about that. He also sells wholesale diamonds which is so rare and he can take care of any rough diamond or gemstone cutting! The breadth and depth of his knowledge about gemology is astounding. You can tell he is a life long learner and has knowledge in so many other areas; computers, finances, law, and business. Check him out if you're needing an appraisal or in the market for a diamond. Just FYI, he does not accept cc. Only cash or check. read more

See all

If you are looking to buy a diamond, then look no further. If you want to upsize a diamond, then your search is over. Michael is the consummate professional, with expertise and connections in the industry that will help you find the perfect stone at an amazing price. If I had to do it all over again (buying an engagement ring), I would buy a loose diamond with Michael's help and then take the stone to a jeweler to make the ring. Don't go to those fancy stores! Luckily, I found Michael in time to upgrade my wife's diamond. The man knows his stuff! Don't feel intimidated. Michael will explain everything, walk you through the process and will actually make it fun. You will love the fact that you are getting such a good deal. Thanks, Michael, for making this purchase such a great experience. read more

Incredible, knowledgable, professional. Michael is straight business, savage talent and raw knowledge. It was a pleasure to watch him work. read more

One word can describe my experience with The Diamond Grader, Michael Louis Hutton, PG, GD and that's Stunning! I took a few Sapphires that I purchased to be ID'd or as Mr. Hutton put it "separatting it from what its not". I was hopeful and currently very excited to say, I have authentic stones with an amazing value! But that's not even half of the experience. I watched Mr. Hutton perform each test and method of examination as he explained each, in detail, and the science behind it. His explanations were clear, concise, yet very easy to understand. The education I gained from his evaluation of my stones is worth more than knowing the potential market value. It was worth my piece of mind! I felt so good as I left his laboratory having gained so much more real knowledge about my Sapphires which has made me look forward to the journey I'll be enjoying ahead of me. Additionally, I now have a new respect for my stones and a new more appropriate vision for my designs. Many thanks to you Mr. Hutton! Top notch service and expertise! read more

The Diamond Grader - The stones that were examined. - Jewelry Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

See all

I wanted to bring in my lab created diamond ring for appraisal, a diamond ring that GIA defines as a diamond, but this guy says it's worth zero because the diamond was created in a lab instead of the earths crust, same carbon components , same everything. He quotes debeers as they don't have a stranglehold on the market. They set the price , they own all the diamonds ! I'll trust GIA over a guy that runs his business in his garage read more

Had an amazing visit today with Mr. Hutton. Not only does he have extensive knowledge in Diamonds, he knows ALL gems, so dont let the name fool you . Not only did he tell us exactly what we had , he SHOWED us what we had by using professional methods that reveal all your answers right in front of your eyes . He teaches you exactly how he discovers the answers by using a series of tests on the gem to determine the type and carat of the stone. Amazing customer service. Will visit again. read more

I visited Michael to get an appraisal on an engagement ring. Location: Michael's located right off Sahara & Tenaya. It's a home business, so don't be alarmed when pulling into the residential area! Service: If Yelp allowed 10 star ratings, I'd give Michael 20 stars. He is very friendly and polite, and took me to school during the appraisal which lasted about 1.5 hours. He explained everything he was doing/using very thoroughly. He provided supporting science and even shared some interesting stories. He's incredibly careful with your jewelry and dramatically makes sure it is always in your sight. I never knew how complex and fascinating jewelry could be! I got lessons in metals, stones, "fakie fakes", cleaning, and of course, valuation. I came in expecting just an appraisal, but left with a 3 month crash course. I kept my GIA report in front me the entire time. Michael's independent assessment was spot on, within 0.01! I was blown away by Michael's knowledge and expertise. Cost: Have you ever left a business and felt that you underpaid for the services? That's exactly how I felt on my drive home. I received a verbal appraisal, but Michael also offers written appraisals with official raised stamps and his signature. His pricing depends on the complexity of the piece of jewelry, but is much lower than appraisals I've inquired about inside any retail shops. Couple this with the amount of knowledge he can drop on you... talk about an incredible value! After writing this, I'm increasing my rating. Michael's final score is 25/5. read more

When you first arrive don't be fooled or scared. It's not your normal walk in the front door type of business. Michael conducts his business from his home. But it's not shady at all once you walk i not his office. There were so many tools that he used for my ring and explained everything he was doing. The price for the appraisal was very responsible after seeing how much work goes into it. You only pay when you pick up the appraisal. I will definitely be going back if I need another jewelry appraised. read more

The Diamond Grader - Business card - Jewelry Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

MICHAEL IS AMAZING!! DO NOT GO ANYWHERE ELSE - Unless you want to pay more money on half assed appraisals and crap service. Michael was EXTREMELY flexible on my appointment time which was awesome - He took the time to sit down and explain every step of the appraisal - he takes 3 hours to go over EVERYTHING which is amazing because how thorough he is. It's an appraisal and a class all in one! I walked out knowing more than when I walked in, which was amazing and appreciated. He wants to instill his vast knowledge of diamonds and gems on others and you can really tell and appreciate how much love and passion he has in this business. He isn't in it to steal from you and he never lets your item leave your sight. We won't go ANYWHERE else for our appraisals or diamond purchasing. Cut out the sleezy sales man and go to Michael. Be sure to park in the driveway :) read more

I needed appraisals for a diamond ring and a diamond tennis bracelet.  After reviewing Michael at The Diamond Grader on Yelp, I decided to use his services.  I must say this about Michael: He knows his stuff!!!!!  I was able to sit down with him during the appraisals and he explained in detail every step.  It was very educational.  If I could give a six-star rating, I would.  There is no doubt that anyone who uses Michael's services will be very satisfied with his work. read more

I highly recommend Michael! He is very knowledgeable and thorough. He took his time to answer a few questions I had regarding a gemstone, despite the fact that he was out of the country! Would not hesitate to use him for a future appraisal. read more

I would definitely recommend Michael Hutton. I needed an appraisal for my engagement/wedding ring set for insurance. He was very personable and professional and walked me through the process when I arrived. I never lost sight of my ring and I was able to see all of the process firsthand. I have had my ring for 14 years and now I know so much more about it after our visit. He was so informational about diamonds and precious metals and how they are valued. The best part was when he looked at them under the microscope and I was able to see exactly what he was looking at. He is a very highly qualified gemologist; it was my pleasure to meet with him! read more

Michael is a perfectionist. He has the highest level of integrity, and is excellent at communicating and showing you, through science and (extremely) licensed knowledge, of what the value of your jewelry is worth. How would I know? I brought in large, high quality pieces... Trust was the biggest thing for us. He appraised my jewelry in front of us the entire time... explaining the science and with high-end equipment to back up his own "eyes"... I'm very familiar with the diamond industry and he is far and beyond a detailed expert. I recommend him at every level. He will tell you if its worth doing an appraisal for insurance purposes or not. His appraisals are the most detailed I've ever received. read more

My husband bought me ring on eBay and we had to check it. I found Michael on Yelp and I am so glad I choose him! He spent with me about 3 hours, we found all features of the ring, that GIA report had. Michael did every possible test on my diamond to prove, that it was the actual Earth made diamond. It very interesting to watch him. As well he gave me many advices and he answered on all my questions. Michael sells GIA certified diamonds and add his profit as low as 6-7%. I think, my next diamond I will be there. read more

I've been in the jewelry business for 40 years and having my newly-designed ring appraised by Michael was hands-down the best and most professional appraisal experience I have ever encountered. I can't say enough about this guy and his expertise. First of all, he's a totally fascinating man with a wealth of knowledge and experience in a diverse array of fields but second, and more importantly (since that's why you're there) you may rest assured that he leaves no stone unturned (see what I did there?) in the investigation and identification of the jewelry or gemstone(s) at hand. His office is chock-full of gemological and jewelry equipment and if you have the time to wait, you will get an impressive lesson you'll never forget! For the exhaustive service he performs, his price is very affordable and the end result is a thorough identification and appraisal suitable for any insurance requirement. As I stated, having been in the business for decades, I was mighty impressed with Michael L. Hutton, The Diamond Grader extraordinaire! read more

The Diamond Grader - Jewelry Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

See all

Michael provides excellent, honest and friendly service. Helped us evaluate a diamond to see the value and gave us a clear understanding of the value and options on how to sell. He also was incredibly helpful in selling off scrap gold pieces we had and got us over 80% of the value from our gold. Most pawn shops in town will offer you 40% of the value at most and less if they could. He has very high integrity and presented a clear and detailed estimate of what we would expect after our gold was melted down and wrote out a contract before handing him the gold. I would trust him in dealing with our gold or diamonds as he is someone who knows that his reputation for integrity is much more valuable than trying to make a few extra $$ here and there. His fees are very reasonable for the exceptional service he provides. A+++ and I would recommend him to everyone. read more

My interaction with Michael was beyond amazing, I 100% recommend recommend his services. The time we spent getting our appraisal was more than just "business as usual," there was also an educational element to it. I learned more about gemology at his office in one hour than I did in a week reading various google searches. It was eye opening to say the least. He was informative, not just by way of dialogue - but with tangible evidence. He explained the functions of every tool he used and graciously allowed us to see what he was seeing for ourselves. He allowed us to see through the lens (literally) of a gemologist so we could know what he was reporting to us was fact. Never in a million years did i think I'd be looking at such beautiful, nature-made wonders at a microscopic level. The work he does is grade A, I'll definitely be back in the future. read more

Michael is a first class diamond expert. His expertise in choosing a stone for my fiancé was instrumental in creating an instant family keepsake. Michael was able to deliver two BRILLIANT diamonds at an awesome price. Furthermore, he matched them to a family stone which made a perfect three stone ring. His customer service was outstanding throughout the process. read more

I flew from Mexico City to Las Vegas to get an appraissal on an engagement ring. Best decision I could have made. Michael is professional, educated, patient and loves his work. He takes time to analyze and explain and show you. Actually he teaches you and you learn a lot with him. He has all the right equipment and knowledge. I was surprised at the cost of his service, I thought it was going to be much much more, because of the time he took for our appointment and all the equipment and professionalism, but it turned out to be another pleasant surprise that the price was more than accesible (in lack for a better word). I maybe thought that the cost would be in correlation with the price of the diamond he was praissing, but no. So, I am not only thankful for the professional service but also for the honesty and integrity of Michael who is also a very pleasant person to know and talk to. This is the specialist you want to see. read more