Insurance companies never take your word for value Whether you’ve spent years building your fine jewelry collection or you’ve recently acquired your first exquisite piece, you should insure each item to value, just in case the unexpected happens. To do that...
Appraisals are important to the insurance process You’d probably prefer not to think about your jewelry treasures being damaged, destroyed or lost during a catastrophe, but it’s prudent to be prepared with a detailed jewelry appraisal. If you have a...
This is a matter of personal opinion, specific needs and finances. Each metal has advantages. Platinum is more expensive but requires significantly less upkeep over time. Platinum prongs and shanks do not wear away as quickly as white gold. Platinum...
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...
The services of an independent appraiser are increasingly of importance in today’s complex market environment. As consumers have grown in sophistication and education, diamonds have gotten more costly, and many previously unheard of treatments and ethical issues have arisen, as well. One...
A credible appraisal is produced using a credible process. To do a diamond appraisal or gem appraisal correctly, the right lab equipment is absolutely essential. I’ve been using my Mark V Gemscope for a good 35 years and wouldn’t trade...
The answer depends on how willing you are to repurchase the lost piece of jewelry at retail. I’m not suggesting that you insure every piece of jewelry you own…just the most painful to replace. A diamond appraisal, jewelry appraisal, or...
Diamond appraisal and jewelry appraisal are both interesting and challenging. I became a graduate gemologist in 1981 and the technology that has been introduced make the appraisal process certainly faster, but not necessarily easier. When I started as a jewelry...
OK, you need a diamond ring appraisal but you don’t want to wait two weeks and send it out. Well, why should you? I’ll do your jewelry appraisal while you wait. The appraisal will be done right in front of...
I’ve been in the jewelry industry since 1976 and became a graduate gemologist in 1981. I owned my own store where we specialized in diamonds, gemstones, and fashion jewelry created by some of the world’s finest designers. A great deal...