AIN-ProTM InterActive

Sampling of AIS-N Channel Discussion Thread Topics
April-May 1999

The same four AIS-N channels as are accessed on the
AINetWork InterActive DIscussion Channels Page.
and the Polygon Private Channels Page.


Click here to open a new browser window to the AI-Group Main Page


This page has a sampling of April-May 1999 channel thread topics/participants for these AIS-N channels:


Some Channel Thread Topics & Participants During April-May, 1999

NOTE: The AIS-N channels keep messages for 30 days or 300 polygon message screens, whichever comes first. The main topic headings listed below are generally presented as oldest first except where it seemed more helpful to list subtopics together. So you may find that older topics are no longer in a collection of "ALL" messages for the channel.

[Nov-2001 Update Note: The subject header indexing system for AINetWork channels (forums) was revamped and greatly enhanced in February of 2001. Since that time, channel posts, including proactive AIS messages, interactive discussion messages, and AIS articles can be kept on channel indefinitely to function as a self-contained searchable archive. As of November 1, 2001 posts going back to December of 2000 have been kept on channel for AIN-Pro subscriber searching. The exclusive material in those posts would print out to over 1,500 pages.]

This link should open a new browser window to:


2001 Channel Topics Index - an HTML page updated monthly in 2001

[This is a large HTML text file - 121kb as of Nov-2001]

Most AIS-N channel posts and discussions have been stored since the first channel (AI) started on June 1, 1995 and they are being organized into subject threads for posting in a channel archive for future reference and searching. However, subscribers are encouraged to revisit any subject, or related matter, with a new or followup post when they feel it appropriate to do so.

The list below is only a small sampling!

Some discussion thread subject headers include reference to AIN-Pro subscribers who participated in the thread, along with Elly Rosen of AIS. Names are generally in order of posting. The selection is arbitrary and meant to be illustrative. No inference should be drawn from such listings regarding who is or is not participating in other discussions as any and all subscribers may initiate, or participate in, all discussions and the identity of those posting appears as a header in all channel postings.


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Some April-May 1999 AI - Appraisal Information Channel Topics

  • Appraisals and the insurance industry
    • Motivations and needs of underwriters, agents and adjusters
    • Formatting reports to meet their needs. our own, and clients
    • Post-loss ramifications of original insurance reports

  • "Estate" Appraisals - client options - multiple "Intended Uses"
    A dialogue with:
    Eileen Barone of Gold'n'Glitter, Oaklawn IL
    Vince Rundhaug of Columbia Gems, Kennewick WA
    • "Fed/State Estate Tax" vs State "Inheritance Tax" & "Probate"
    • AIS International, Federal & State/Provincial research
    • Sources for researching "estate" antique period pieces
      • Researching and valuing repaired, estate, period pieces
      • Specialty competence and reporting use of outside expertise
      • What is a "comparable" and how to apply comparability
    • Fed, state, resale: differences in description requirements
    • Appraiser/Sale Consultant: impartiality; conflict; disclosure
    • Report inclusion of selling costs/fees relevant to an estate
      • Reporting on "gross buying price" vs "net selling price"
    • Tax Deduction for estate sale at less than FMV
      • Need to provide FMV for two different dates
      • Estate tax deduction for costs, fees and appraisal fee

  • Appraiser promotion of services with special expertise
    • Specialty, trade, product and "Assigned Use" expertise
    • Generic and assignment specific proposals, CV/Profiles

  • Reliability of Appraiser and XpertWitness Opinions
    [See ARticle 0081 related to this AI discussion]

  • Item descriptions, gemstone plots and melange components
    • When and how to handle them for different assignments

  • Gemstone inclusion plots - varied insurance "requirements"
    A dialogue with:
    Eileen Barone of Gold'n'Glitter, Oaklawn IL
    Al Gilbertson of Diamond Profile Lab, Portland OR/Miami FL
    Vince Rundhaug of Columbia Gems, Kennewick WA
    Tom Tashey, aka "TT" of GQI-Chicago and EGL-LA
    Brenda Reichel, aka "Flawless" of Carats & Karats, Honolulu HI
    • Conflicts in standards of appraisal groups
    • Distinctions between U.S. and Canadian Ins "checklists"
      • AGS, ISA, ASA, NAJA, CJAO standards
    • "Plotting" for insurance vs estate vs resale
    • Appraisal Standards vs Trade/Specialty Requirements
      • Example of GIA deciding "Appraisal" standards
    • Organization vs Client Community Institutional Needs
    • Professional Options & Market "Positioning" vs Disparagement

  • "Identification" vs "Authentication" Requirements
    • Record of information to identify the client's property
    • Country of Origin; Color Origin in Green Diamonds
    • Authenticity "Opinions" vs Identification "Facts"

  • Reporting on Item Care & Handling Considerations
    A dialogue with:
    John Caro, aka "b O s h" of Jewelry by Design, Woodbridge VA
    Vince Rundhaug of Columbia Gems, Kennewick WA
    • Client information more merchants should provide
    • Client protection from insurance claims of "inherent vice"
    • Diamond "hardness"; Princess and Tanzanite fragility

  • "Triple Keystone" - pricing or discounting reality

  • Determining Natural or Treated Color in Green Diamonds
    A dialogue with:
    Norris Smith, aka "Bro Norris" of Norris Smith, Clearwater FL
    Tom Tashey, aka "TT" of GQI-Chicago and EGL-LA
    Vince Rundhaug of Columbia Gems, Kennewick WA
    • Providing limited opinion when color is "undetermined"
    • The basics on detection & reporting on green diamond color
    • Status report from the labs: GQI report; GIA-GTL Update
    • Technological advances by non-trade labs
    • Options for mounted vs loose

  • Appraiser Failure Brings MAJOR $ Penalties to Seller/Appraiser
    • Deficiencies in the Ward Emerald Case

Recent AI Channel Graphics:

View image upload of -
  • Graphic of AIS Inclusion Diagram/Plot Sample (in Work)

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Some April-May 1999 AJ - Gems and Jewelry Reference Channel Topics

  • Diamond Grading: Differences in lab approaches
    A dialogue with:
    Vince Rundhaug of Columbia Gems, Kennewick WA
    Tom Tashey, aka "TT" of GQI-Chicago and EGL-LA
    Marty Haske, aka "Sniper" of Adamas Gemological Lab, Brookline MA
    Al Gilbertson of Diamond Profile Lab, Portland OR/Miami FL
    Michael Cowing of A C Associates, Crownsville MD
    Barry Block, aka "The Judge" of The Jewelry Judge II, Garden City NY
    • Clarity grade spreads in EGL and other labs
    • Deficiencies in Color Grading Master sets
    • Loupe vs Microscope grading: Methodology & Reporting
    • VS2 and higher lab grades for eye-visible inclusions
    • Clarity grading by micron measurement of inclusions
    • GQI and RAP parameters for the SI3 clarity grade
    • FTC and Canadian position on 10x loupe vs scope
    • Lighting, background, stone positioning for clarity grades
    • New approaches and AIS diagrams for inclusion plots
    • Clarity grading/plotting feathers and naturals on the girdle
    • Face up vs side view for color and clarity grades
    • Plotting lasering, fillers, eye-visible inclusions

  • Topics related to the above discussion
    • Sample grading report boilerplate - by subscribers
    • Honest approach to reporting on diamond Master Sets
    • Reporting of Color Vision and Acuity test results
    • Avoiding report checklists of instruments

  • Tolerances, ranges and split grades for diamond color
    • Terminology for "GIA Grades"
    • Explaining/Reporting grading "Subjectivity and Opinion"
    • Range and tolerance for mounted vs loose diamonds
    • Basis of value with mounted stones
    • Standards of Elly Rosen's "Appraisal of Gemstones" course
    • Council of Jewelry Appraisal Organizations (CJAO)
      standards for AGS, ISA, NAJA
    • Limitations/differences with grading old cut diamonds
    • "Limited" Final valuation grades vs "provisional" grades

  • Inclusion plots in gemstone reports
    • Liability to clients? Client and grader/appraiser options
    • Options for plotting
    • Photography of inclusions

  • Sources for finding those difficult stones

  • Ivory and jade carvings: value elements and sources

  • Diamond Filling - Costs & Procedures - the Yehuda Co

  • Aquamarine and Yellow Sapphire - grading, pricing, sources

  • Live Links to sources on Emerald Oil/Resin/Opticon Fillers

  • AIN Legal research:
    Live Link to NY law RE: LKI/POL-GE Diamond Color "Treatment" Disclosure

  • Polishing gems and cleaning [Andalusite] with cerium oxide
    A dialogue with:
    Ron Ferrell of Les Ferrell, Deland FL
    Vince Rundhaug of Columbia Gems, Kennewick WA
    Wayne Emery, aka "Wad" of The Gem Cutter, Tacoma WA

  • Live Link to update on Fred Ward Emerald lawsuit

Recent AJ Channel Graphics:

View image uploads of -
  • Graphic of AIS Inclusion Diagram/Plot Sample (in Work)

  • ADAMAS SAS2000 Spectograph of Yehuda filled diamonds
  • ADAMAS SAS2000 Spectograph of loose vs mounted grades
  • ADAMAS SAS2000 Spectograph of diamond 14 stone Master Set

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Some April-May 1999 AO - Other Personalty Channel Topics

  • Platinum history and circa dating
  • Platinum and Gold European HorseHead Export Marks

  • U.S. Military Decorations and Awards
    Summary of U.S. Federal law and regulations
    • Owning/Possesing Congressional Medal of Honor (MOH)
    • Owning/Possesing Purple Heart (PH), other decorations/awards
    • Wearing and display of military decorations and awrads
    • Buying, selling, reproducing MOH. PH and others
    • Replacement cost for appraising MOH, PH and others

  • "Dirigold" "Dirilyte" Flatware
    • What kind of metal is it?
    • Manufacturing history and process
    • FTC position on promotion and sale of "Dirigold"
    • Sources and prices for old, restored and new pieces
    • Pricing of individual items and 5-6 piece place settings

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Some April-May 1999 AR - Appraisal Reporter Channel Postings by AIS

ARticles, News, Notices and Reference Links

Most AR ARticles are auto-posted to the AR-ARchive

  • ARchive #0081:
    "Reliability of Appraiser and XpertWitness Opinions" ... Apr13-99
    • Validity of Our Value Estimate
    • "Basis" of Our Opinion (Our "Value Estimate")
    • Do We Understand the Item and "Know" the Value?
    • Appraiser as Specialist vs Generalist
    • Assignment Specific Research vs On-Going Market Knowledge
    • Relying on the Opinion of Others
    • Reliability of "Complete" vs "Limited" Assignments

  • Last Minute Need for IRS Form 8283 .. April 15, 1999
    • Taxpayer form for charitable contributions
    • Handling the form - When should the appraiser sign it?
    • AIS online info on getting IRS forms/publications quickly

  • REGISTER YOUR TRADEMARK!!! Info for AIN Folks .. May 7, 1999
    • "Do I need to register my trademark?"
      Legal compliance for sales and Infringement protection:
      Fed Registration vs State Registration vs Common Law use
    • Obtaining U.S. PTO, Canadian and State trademark information

  • Filled Diamond Reporting and Inclusion Plotting

  • Subscriber notices, reminders, updates:
    Accessing AIS-DataBases via POLY-DirectDial
    Windows Software ... Apr25-99

    How to download:
    AIS-Writings; AIS-Glossary; AIS-Law; the ARchive
    • Requesting AIS-DataBase INDEX and Items with Poly-Direct
    • Viewing the DataBase INDEX with Poly-Direct
    • Requesting DataBase Items with Poly-Direct
    • Viewing DataBase Items with Poly-Direct
    • General AIS DataBase Notes for Poly-Direct subs
    • Example For Our New DirectDial Subscriber: Yehuda Diamond Co
      Downloading AIS-Writings # 2001:
      "Appraising the `Yehuda' Controversy"
    • Downloading the Over 80 ARticles in the AI-ARchive
    • Internet Folks - REMINDER - Better AIN access on Our Site!

Some April-May 1999 AR Channel Links:

LIVE Reference LINKS to AIN-Pro DataBase Articles
as relevant to recent AI, AJ, AO channel discussions

  • AR-ARchive and AIS-Writings Links on Filled Diamonds

  • AR-ARchive Links on Clarity Grading and Plotting

  • AR-ARchive Links on Gem Treatment, Care and Handling

  • Links to InDepth AR-ARchive ARticles related to
    Elly Rosen's, May 1999 JCK Article:
    "Determining Replacement Cost In Insurance Appraisals"

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