Get an Accurate, Certified Appraisal at Padis

If you want to determine the monetary value of a piece of jewelry, you will need to have an appraisal done.  Appraisals are typically required if you want to insure your jewelry for replacement value.  In addition appraisals are done for estate planning and tax purposes to determine fair market value of jewelry as well as to learn the value of family heirlooms.  The GIA says the “value stated on the appraisal is the opinion of the appraiser based on their research and experience,” which is why you want an experienced, certified appraiser. 

The experts recommend that you have your jewelry appraised every three to five years (some say every two to three years) because the value of the piece may have increased resulting in it being under insured.  A safe bet is to check with your insurance company to see if they have any requirements or recommendations on updating appraisals. 

An updated appraisal includes reexamining the piece, a detailed description of the item, and documentation regarding its current condition.  The value of the piece may change based on the current market and will be reflected in the appraisal.  It should also include the appraiser’s name and their qualifications.   

At Padis Jewelry, our staff includes an American Gem Society (AGS) certified gemologist appraiser (CGA) who has gone through the training and certification process set forth by the AGS.  In addition our appraiser is a GIA Graduate Gemologist, which is where they learned to identify and grade diamonds and colored stones.  For you convenience, Padis Jewelry also has an in-house bench jeweler that can handle same-day repairs, ring sizing and settings.  Please visit our website to learn more, and while you are there set up an appointment to view our jewelry in person.   

Padis Jewelry, a family-owned business, has been a trusted source for buying exquisite certified loose diamonds, engagement rings and fine jewelry since 1974.  We are one of the only jewelers in the area that offers such an exclusive selection of top names in the industry as well as such a large inventory.  For an opportunity to view our impressive collections, please contact us to schedule at visit.

Source:  4cs.gia.edu/en-us/blog/appraisal-tips/

Our Diamonds are Independently Graded

When buying diamonds from Padis Jewelry, you can feel confident you are getting what you paid for as every diamond over 0.40 carats comes with an independent grading report that assesses the overall quality and authenticity. Our diamonds are graded at the most trusted and accredited diamond grading laboratories in the industry including the US division of AGS, Forevermark, and GIA. 

To give you an idea of what you will see in your diamond’s grading report, you can take a look at a sample GIA grading report on their website.  According to the GIA, their reports represent the “highest standard of reliability, consistency and integrity.”  Your report will include information on the 4Cs (the GIA is the creator of the 4Cs) of your stone and assess the Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight. You will also get a plotted diagram charting the clarity characteristics as well as a graphic representation of the stone’s proportions. 

If your diamond is in the D-to-Z color range, your report will also have a GIA Cut grade.  The Diamond Cut grade describes the “components of brightness, fire, scintillation, polish, and symmetry, as well as weight and durability concerns, into a single overall grade for cut quality for standard round brilliants.”

Another service offered by the GIA is their “Report Check” that allows you to confirm that the information on your report matches the archived GIA report database.  All you need to do is to enter your report number on their online search tool.  Also if you have a diamond you want to have authenticated and graded by the GIA Lab, you can submit it to them for a fee. 

Please visit the Padis Jewelry showrooms to experience firsthand one of the best inventories of certified loose diamonds in California.  All of our jewelry consultants are diamond experts and we look forward to helping you find your perfect “stone.”

Since 1974, Padis Jewelry has been a trusted source for buying exquisite certified loose diamonds, engagement rings and fine jewelry.  We are one of the only jewelers in the area that offers such an exclusive selection of top names in the industry as well as such a large inventory.  If you are a lover of beautiful jewels, please schedule at visit to our showrooms.

Source:gia.edu/analysis-grading-sample-report-diamond?reporttype=diamond-grading-report 

Trust the Experts When You Invest in Jewelry

We understand you want to make smart decisions when buying jewelry.  This is why it is important to shop with a jeweler who has not only been in business for a number of years but has an excellent reputation.  Family-owned Padis Jewelry has both.  Steve Padis started the business in 1974 and it is considered to be the place to go to in the Bay Area for excellent values and an outstanding inventory.  

We are also proud to be one of only 5% of jewelers in the country who are accredited members of the American Gem Society (AGS).  The AIG is the country's preeminent jewelry trade organization and is dedicated to consumer protection.  The membership guarantees that AIG accredited jewelers strictly adhere to the highest standards of measurement and quality.  

Furthermore, several of our non-commission sales consultants are GIA Graduate Gemologists and our showrooms have two of them available at all times.  This means you receive reliable, educated information about the stones you are buying as our Gemologists are trained in the GIA grading system and the 4Cs used to accurately rate the value of diamonds.  The GIA established the “4Cs” (color, clarity, cut, and carat weight) as well as the International Diamond Grading System™ in the 1940s and are still the standards used today. 

In addition all of our certified loose diamonds over 0.40 carats come with an independent grading report that assesses the stone’s overall quality and authenticity.  We invite you to browse our online inventory and then set up an appointment to come in to one of our showrooms in downtown San Francisco.  Also we have a store in St. Helena in Napa Valley.    

Padis Jewelry, a family-owned business, has been a trusted source for buying exquisite certified loose diamonds, engagement rings and fine jewelry since 1974.  We are one of the only jewelers in the area that offers such an exclusive selection of top names in the industry as well as such a large inventory.  For the opportunity to view one of San Francisco and the Napa Valley’s most impressive collections, please contact us to schedule a visit.

Educate Yourself on Common Jewelry Terms

At Padis Jewelry customer satisfaction is important to us, and we want to make sure each piece of jewelry purchased from us not only fulfills your needs but is something you will love and cherish for years.  To help customers become more knowledgeable on what they are buying, our website offers a glossary of commonly used jewelry terms.   

If you are shopping for diamond or gemstone jewelry, you may want to start with terms used to describe the anatomy of the stones.  One word you are sure to hear is facet, which describes the flat surface on a diamond or color gemstone.  The arrangement of a gemstone's facets determines its cut and return of light.  The diamond’s table is the largest polished facet on the surface of the stone.  A diamond’s crown is the top part of the stone, beneath the table and above the girdle.  The girdle describes the middle section of the stone and is typically polished or faceted on a diamond and unpolished on a color gemstone. 

A diamond’s pavilion is the term used to describe the bottom part of the stone and extends from the girdle to the culet, which is the small or pointed facet at the very bottom of the diamond.  Not all diamonds have a culet.  The total height of a diamond is called the depth and is measured from the table to the culet.  

Fire is the term used to describe the flashes of color that are seen when the diamond or gemstone is moved or rotated.  Flawless is the highest grading on the diamond clarity scale and describes a stone without any visible inclusions or blemishes under 10 x magnifications. Symmetry is the precision of the alignment of the diamond’s facets, and the more symmetrical, the better the return of light.   

While Padis Jewelry wants customers to be informed, satisfied buyers, we also want to assure you that all of our non-commissioned jewelry consultants are here to help guide you through the process.  In addition, our staff includes GIA Graduate Gemologists, and any diamond over 0.40 carats comes with a grading report from the most trusted independent laboratories in the U.S. 

As a family-owned business, Padis Jewelry has been a trusted source for buying exquisite certified loose diamonds, engagement rings and fine jewelry since 1974.  We have one of the area’s largest inventories as well as an impressive selection of top name luxury brands.  So if you are a lover of beautiful jewelry, we encourage you to schedule a visit to San Francisco and the Napa Valley’s best jewelry stores.

Carat Weight of a Diamond

Buying a diamond, especially a diamond engagement ring or loose stones intended for an engagement ring is a very special moment in your life.  However as it is an investment, you want to be sure you know what you are buying.  Diamonds are sold by carat weight and the larger the carat weight, the rarer and more valuable the diamond is likely to be. 

The word carat is derived from the word carob and was the original unit of measure for diamond traders.  The Mediterranean carob seed was an extremely consistent weight of measurement. The abbreviation for carat is “ct.” and a metric “carat” is defined as 200 milligrams or 1/5 of a gram.  The metric carat weight was standardized in the 20^th century and the U.S. officially adopted the measurement in 1913.   

The GIA explains that “each carat can be subdivided into 100 points,” which means that every stone has a very precise measurement to the hundredth decimal place.  From a jeweler’s perspective, this means they may describe the weight of a diamond under one carat by the ‘points’ alone.  For example if a diamond weighs 0.25 carats, a jeweler may describe the stone as a ‘twenty-five pointer.’  The GIA notes that “diamond weights greater than one carat are expressed in carats and decimals. A 1.08 carat stone would be described as ‘one point oh eight carats.” 

When shopping for a diamond, please remember that a diamond’s value is not just based on the carat weight.  This means that any two diamonds of equal carat weight will not necessarily cost the same.   Diamonds are also valued based on three other factors - Clarity, Color, and Cut. 

As highly reputable jewelry experts, Padis Jewelry wants you to be satisfied with your purchase.  This is why our jewelry consultants will help you to select the best ring in terms of cut, color, and clarity as well as carat weight that fits your budget.  Visit our website to browse our exquisite collection or contact us to arrange a visit to our San Francisco or St. Helena showrooms.       

Since 1974, Padis Jewelry has been a trusted source for buying exquisite certified loose diamonds, engagement rings and fine jewelry.  We are one of the only jewelers in the area that offers such an exclusive selection of top names in the industry as well as such a large inventory.  We invite you to visit our showrooms to see our beautiful collection of fine jewelry.

Source: 4cs.gia.edu/en-us/diamond-carat-weight/ 

Jewelry Appraisals Should be Done by a Certified Appraiser

There are several reasons why you may need to have a professional jewelry appraisal done.  Appraisals are often required before you can obtain replacement insurance on your jewelry.  They are also used in estate planning and for tax purposes as well as to learn the current value of a family heirloom.  Additionally appraisals can be used to guide the fair distribution of jewelry assets.  When you do decide to have your jewelry appraised, we strongly recommend that you use an American Gem Society (AGS) certified gemologist appraiser (CGA) to ensure you get the most accurate and fair appraisal. 

At the family-owned and operated Padis Jewelry showrooms, our staff includes AGS certified jewelry appraisers who have gone through the rigorous training and certification process set forth by the AGS. In addition we are a proud member of the AGS, of which only 5% of the jewelers in the U.S. meet the organization’s exacting standards.  Furthermore, along with our professional jewelry appraisers, our experienced, non-commissioned staff has two GIA Graduate Gemologists in our showrooms at all times. 

Keep in mind that even if you had a piece appraised some years ago, it may be time to have it appraised again as the value of jewelry changes over the years.  In fact you may be surprised to discover the value of the piece has increased and that you have it under insured.  It is recommended that jewelry be appraised every three to five years.       

If you are in the San Francisco area, we encourage you to contact Padis Jewelry for a fair and accurate jewelry appraisal.  We offer thorough jewelry appraisals along with other services including an in-house bench jeweler for convenient same-day repairs and settings.

 

Padis Jewelry, a family-owned business, has been a trusted source for buying exquisite certified loose diamonds, engagement rings and fine jewelry since 1974.  We are one of the only jewelers in the area that offers such an exclusive selection of top names in the industry as well as such a large inventory.  For an opportunity to view one of San Francisco’s most impressive collections, please contact us to schedule at visit.