Just like real estate appraisal, jewelry appraisal is largely a matter of research. However, real estate appraisers can look up past sales in the public records. You are the source for sales records of personal property such as jewelry. Here is an example of documents that will help your jewelry appraiser:
- Sales receipts (best proof of ownership)
- Warranties (very important)
- Diamond or gemstone certificates from GIA, etc. (also very important)
- Old insurance summaries listing the jewelry
- Old appraisals (helpful if previous appraiser took stone measurements, or examined stones before they were mounted)
- Letters, etc. with facts relating to the jewelry or its history
A jewelry appraisal is an expert opinion of a trained gemologist. The only way to tell you how much a diamond weighs is to remove it from the setting and weigh it. Since I’m not about to do that, please bring in any documentation you have on your jewelry so I can verify the information and have your appraisal be as accurate as possible. If you have a GIA diamond cert or certification from other labs such as EGL, IGI, or AGS…we want that information on your appraisal.
Appraising is an important part of the jewelry business. It can be useful as a shopping aid as well as for getting the most value out of your insurance policy. Like other professional services, it’s necessary to shop carefully for your appraiser and to make certain that both you and they understand what is expected. They are not all the same. Appraise the appraiser.
A good rule of thumb in choosing a diamond jewelry appraiser is if you don’t know where to go to get jewelry appraised…read your local jewelry appraiser reviews. If you only choose one item, a diamond ring appraisal would probably be your best choice. Also, if your purpose is to sell diamond jewelry, a current jewelry appraisal will help you decide a better selling price.
