Where To Have Jewelry Appraised?

Do you have inherited jewelry that you think is valuable but don’t know its value? Getting your jewelry appraised may not seem crucial, but it is very valuable to know about your stone’s value when it is time to buy insurance or inherit heirlooms. But you may not be sure about where to have jewelry appraised.

If so, this article is the one-stop solution for you. Let’s discuss below which places offer you jewelry appraisal services and how you can evaluate if the appraiser is legitimate or not.

What Is Jewelry Appraisal?

Jewelry Appraisal is an estimate of the market value of your jewelry based on weight, quality of materials, jewelry design, and demand for that design in the market. Appraisal of your jewelry is conducted by a qualified and experienced appraiser to find the value of your stones and assets.

The appraisal document of jewelry contains information about the value of your jewelry, the quality of the gemstone, and the structure’s durability. You can utilize this appraisal report of your jewelry in insurance, to represent the value in sales events or your self-satisfaction. 

How To Find A Legitimate Appraiser?

You must find a legitimate appraiser to evaluate the accurate value of your jewelry. You will get numerous appraisers around you because of no state licensing requirements.

Not every one of them is able enough to evaluate the exact value and deliver accurate reports. Below are the factors that you need to evaluate to find the legitimacy of your appraiser.

Certification

The first thing you need to evaluate is the certification of your appraiser. Make sure that your appraiser is certified by reputable organizations like the American Society of Appraisers  (ASA) and the International Society of Appraisers (ISI). Always try to consult with companies like  Park Place Jewelers having appraisers with a proven background in diamond grading and gemological training.

Check if they have a gemological diploma from the Gemological Institute of America. These certifications will make sure that your appraiser is fully trained to work.

Working Experience

Keep in mind to consult an appraiser who has been in the industry for a amount of time. This will ensure the accuracy of their results. You should hire an appraiser with proven experience in dealing with your type of jewelry.

Expertise

There are different types of jewelry. Appraisers can be experts and specialized in any of those types. If your jewelry is different then their expertise, your result may not be accurate. So evaluate if your appraiser has expertise and specialization according to your jewelry type.

Reviews From Previous Clients

This is the most important factor that showcases your appraiser's expertise, accuracy, and client satisfaction. Demand the appraiser for reviews from previous clients. Positive reviews mean the appraiser is legitimate.

Continued Education

The industry is continuously changing regarding the value of materials and designs. You should consider an appraiser having continuing education so that your reports are accurate according to the latest prices and trends.

Affiliation

Evaluate if the appraiser is associated with any professional organization because these organizations demand continuing education and ethical standards.

Service Fees

Interrogating about the service fees of your appraiser is crucial to evaluating the quality of their work. The appraiser may charge you very low fees just because they lack the expertise and accuracy. Always try to find the appraiser who is charging a fee appropriate to the industry standards.

Places To Get Your Jewelry Appraisal

The following are the places that can offer appraisal services to you. Some of these places offer free appraisal services while some of them offer paid appraisals. Keep in mind that there will be a difference in the accuracy of paid and free services.

Local Jewelry Stores

You can find many local jewelry stores near you that can offer appraisal services. These local stores offer a more personalized experience and insights into trends because of their direct touch with the industry.

Keep in mind to consult the stores that have gemologists and appraisers trained by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) such as Park Place Jewelers.

Self-dependent Appraisers

You can find many appraisers who are working as an individual without being affiliated with any store or brand. They can also provide you with accurate documentation and satisfaction. The only way to evaluate the accuracy of these independent appraisers is by checking their certifications.

Make sure that these appraisers have certifications from reputable organizations such as the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) or the International Society of Appraisers (ISA).

Auction Houses

Auction houses are another option for you to get accurate appraises for your jewelry because of their access to a wide range of resources. Many auction houses like Christie's, Sotheby's, and Bonhams offer appraisals for your high-value jewels even in formal written form.

Online Appraisal Services

You can also get online appraisal services by uploading high-quality pictures of your assets. These platforms inspect your pictures with detail and evaluate their worth according to the latest trends.

Many online platforms also offer you free appraisal services. But ensure that the service you are getting is legitimate and certified. Appraisals from these platforms may not be as accurate as physical hand-to-hand inspection.

Association With Organizations

It is also a good option to get your jewelry appraised by appraisers and members of organizations like the Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA) or GIA. Membership with these institutes indicates the ongoing education and ethical standards of appraisers.

Conclusion

Getting your jewelry appraised can be very useful in proving the value of your assets at different points. You can claim the value from insurance using jewelry appraisal in the situation of jewelry getting lost or stolen.

It is also recommended that you get an appraisal done by a legitimate appraiser every two to three years. It is because the value of your jewelry can also change with the change of trends in the industry. You can consult Park Place Jewelers to get assured and accurate appraisals due to their certified gemological training and qualifications