A lot of people ask how I became a graduate gemologist and appraiser,  and about the instruments I use.  Here’s the refractometer…it’s one of the most important tools.  It measures the refractive index and helps me to identify gemstones.  It’s...

Is the appraiser independent or is she an employee of the seller? Where did the appraiser receive her appraisal training and what are her professional designations? Does she belong to professional appraisal groups? Will the appraiser provide names of clients...

An insurance appraisal is a description and valuation of property. The value stated on the appraisal is the opinion of the appraiser based on her research and experience.  Insurance appraisals are done for many reasons ranging from a need to...