Frequently Asked Questions - Jewelry Appraisals
Do I need to make an appointment?
Yes, if you want private time with the appraiser and do not want to leave your jewelry. I can schedule an appointment in my office or elsewhere for your convenience. Please contact us.
You may leave your jewelry items with one of the jewelry stores where I perform independent evaluations. Please contact us for the most convenient location for you.
Can I stay with my jewelry?
Yes, please allow at least 20 minutes per item. This is for lab work and photos.
The lab work includes gemstone measurements, identification, and quality analysis, plot of major gems, and metal properties, style, and condition.
After the scheduled appointment, you will take your jewelry with you when you leave. The research, valuation, and report writing will be conducted after you leave. The report can be picked up or mailed. The time frame to complete the report will depend on the number of items, their complexity, and the research involved. Normally, a report is completed in a week.
Please note that an item can require more time depending on the complexity of that item.
Are you an independent appraiser?
Yes. I am not an employee at any jewelry store. I am the only Master Gemologist Appraiser ® in the Carolinas.
Can you verify an item purchased over the Internet?
Yes, I can be a consultant or provide a written report for insurance.
Do I need to make an appointment?
Yes.
Do I need to bring my diamond certificate or colored gem grading report, receipt, or an old appraisal?
Yes, I do not remove gems from their mountings; the grading reports from major labs will state exact weights. Receipts and old appraisals should have the trademark or hallmark, which might have worn away and become illegible.
An old appraisal should state the condition, and you might be entitled to an insurance claim if damage has occurred since the last evaluation.
All this information is important in determining the correct value for your item.
It is very important to verify that the lab report does match your diamond or colored stone. Mistakes can and do happen, and the report you received might not match your gem.
How often do I need to have my jewelry appraised?
The Insurance Institute of America recommends that jewelry be re-appraised every two years. Some insurance companies require once a year.
We keep your appraisal documents on file for five years. This makes updating your appraisal less expensive, and the report can be completed in a shorter period of time.
A typical insurance policy in South Carolina requires you to have your jewelry updated every year.
What type of jewelry do you appraise?
Antique to modern designer jewelry plus watches.
How do I find a jewelry appraiser?
All jewelry appraisers are not the same. Many appraisers do not have any education. They will state that they have been appraising for X number of years as if that makes it OK. Not having formal education is not acceptable by today’s standards.
It’s your money you are spending for an appraisal, so would it not be in your best interest to have someone who has been educated and tested and who has to keep up with education for future recertification?
Questions to ask a Jewelry Appraiser you are considering hiring...
- Are you a GIA graduate gemologist?
(Please keep in mind that a gemologist is not an appraiser. However, it is necessary to be a graduate
gemologist to be a jewelry appraiser. ) - Where did you get your appraisal training?
- What professional appraisal organizations do you belong to?
- How do you keep up with the latest gemological training?
- How many years of experience do you have