Appraisals

What is an Appraisal?

Purpose of an Appraisal

An appraisal is an informed professional opinion regarding a gem or jewellery article’s authenticity, quality, design and value.

The opinion is backed by appraiser training, market experience, gemological equipment, and a reference library. Each stone, loose or set, is checked to determine whether it is genuine, synthetic, or imitative. It is examined for clarity, cut and colour, size, and carat weight. All jewellery is evaluated for its metal content, design and the period of its style and manufacture.

Full-scale colour photographs of the jewellery may accompany the appraisal documents.

The appraiser needs to know how the appraisal report will be used in order to provide an accurate value.

Expert jewellery appraisals may be required for:

Insurance

To ensure replacement in the event of theft, loss or damage with an item of equal quality and kind in the retail market and known as Replacement Value

Donation, Probate and/or Community Property Settlement

An assessment based on what a willing buyer and seller would agree to without a forced sale in its most common market, identified as Fair Market Value

Liquidation

The monies expected to be received with the immediate sale of the item for cash, usually the lowest net return, ‘Liquidation Value’

We offer our appraisal services to trust companies, lawyers, antique dealers, insurance companies and private clients.

Please contact us for further information regarding appraisals or to set up an appointment.