Can a photo tell you? Is the centre stone a diamond? Or is it a lab grown diamond? Could it be platinum or gold? What is the weight of the item? What is the condition?
The truth is that one cannot tell the difference between these two in an image, or during a video or a zoom call. Each item that is presented to an insurance company, NEEDS to have be seen by the eyes of the appraiser. We carry out a "fully researched" appraisal.
One is actually a lab grown diamond, and the other is a natural diamond. No one can tell which is which, unless it is physically examined.
Recently I have been made aware of valuations taking place over zoom calls.
This raises a lot of questions, items need to be weighed, hallmarks are checked, oh...the list is endless in how we examine items.
My colleague Gareth quotes, "Let's say that both diamonds are 0.90ct, G-SI1. You'd expect to pay somewhere around £1,600 for the synthetic diamond, whilst the natural diamond would set you back around £7,000. A potential variance of £5,400 is a lot of risk to underwrite without being sure of what it is you are underwriting. And with the demand for synthetic diamonds increasing, the only way to ensure you know what you are underwriting is to insist on physical valuations undertaken by a professional and registered valuer"
The same applies to any item of jewellery, and especially in the case of a watch. How does the appraiser know he is looking at a genuine article?
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