topic Re: How do you find someone to appraise your jewelry? in Jewelry

How do you find someone to appraise your jewelry?

qualitygal — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 16:17:28 GMT

and who do you use as a rule to do that? A jeweler? Who do you sell it to?

Thanks.

Re: How do you find someone to appraise your jewelry?

Lilysmom — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 16:20:39 GMT

You can go to a reputable jewellery store in your area. Most of them have gemologists able to give you an appraisal. Make sure you know and trust the place you are dealing with. Get an estimate before you make arrangements so the price is not a surprise. Only those certified gemologists or goldsmiths can do appraisals. HTH. LM

Re: How do you find someone to appraise your jewelry?

SilleeMee — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 21:12:27 GMT

Word of advice...NEVER let your pieces lose your sight! Always have them where you can see them. Don't let them take your pieces in the "back room" and tell you they will have it appraised for you later. Unless you know for sure about their reputation or you know them personally, don't trust anyone.

Re: How do you find someone to appraise your jewelry?

millieshops — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 17:08:39 GMT

@SilleeMeeI understand what you're afraid of, but if I don't trust the jeweler not to steal myitems, then I wouldn't trust the appraisal to be worth much at all!

Re: How do you find someone to appraise your jewelry?

esmeraldagooch — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 18:14:32 GMT

I would call your insurance company or a few agents within your company. They more than likely see the same few jewelers names on the appraisals brought in by clients so will feel comfortable referring them to you.

Always make sure the appraiser is a GIA graduate and if they do this job in house.. Appraisals are expensive, so once you get a list of a few to choose from, call and ask what they charge for the appraisals. There could be a big price difference between stores.

You may want to ask if you could get a discount if you bring more than one item in. Some will if you ask.

I have seen people bring in a jewelry box of things to appraise all at once and then have to wait for a month to have them all appraised as they are time consuming. If this is what you are planning to do, I would advise against doing this. Take a few at a time.

If you have inexpensive jewelry you are trying to sell, a written appraisal is not what you're looking for. They are used for insurance purposes mostly and are what the item would cost to replace if lost or stolen, not what you can sell the item for.

Re: How do you find someone to appraise your jewelry?

kaydee50 — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 18:08:25 GMT

And don't expect the appraised price to be what you can actually sell the piece for.

Re: How do you find someone to appraise your jewelry?

gemologygal — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 20:25:31 GMT

If you go to Pricescope's website, they have a link under the "resources" section which will help you find an accredited appraiser near where you live.

Re: How do you find someone to appraise your jewelry?

software — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 20:30:14 GMT

Depending on the item, an appraisal should only take a few minutes, unless it's a one of a kind type of item and the appraiser needs to research.

Make an appointment ahead of time and you can stay with your piece during the appraisal. If you ask for one in writing, you will be charged a small percentage of the value.

Try to have as much information as possible on the piece with you when to go, like age, original sale or something like that to help the appraiser if it is something other than a gold ring or bracelet.

I've had many pieces appraised, I've never left the item with anyone.

@millieshops wrote:
@SilleeMeeI understand what you're afraid of, but if I don't trust the jeweler not to steal myitems, then I wouldn't trust the appraisal to be worth much at all!

Re: How do you find someone to appraise your jewelry?

Lilysmom — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 22:24:29 GMT

To be honest, I have never had or heard of a jeweller do an appraisal in front of you. I take my fine jewelry to a place where I have bought jewelry for decades. If I didn't have a relationship with them, I probably wouldn't take them there. I am perfectly happy to leave the items. LM

Re: How do you find someone to appraise your jewelry?

ECBG — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 22:38:48 GMT

Appraised jewelry, unfortunately usually sells for around 50% of the value. It is a "used" item.

Re: How do you find someone to appraise your jewelry?

KathyPet — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 22:46:07 GMT

JEwelry appraisals are normally performed to get a value for insurance purposes. What would it cost to replace the piece at full retail price. DO not expect to sell your jewelry at anything close to the appraised amount. UNless jewelry is really, really unique you can expect pennies on the dollar. JEwelry is a horrid investment.

Re: How do you find someone to appraise your jewelry?

sunshine 919 — Fri, 20 Jan 2017 19:56:03 GMT

@KathyPet wrote:
JEwelry appraisals are normally performed to get a value for insurance purposes. What would it cost to replace the piece at full retail price. DO not expect to sell your jewelry at anything close to the appraised amount. UNless jewelry is really, really unique you can expect pennies on the dollar. JEwelry is a horrid investment.

Does anyone get their jewelry appraised that you get on line. I never have, never really thought about it. Maybe I should to see if it comes close to what I paid.

Re: How do you find someone to appraise your jewelry?

Lipstickdiva — Fri, 20 Jan 2017 20:24:35 GMT

@sunshine 919 wrote:
@KathyPet wrote:
JEwelry appraisals are normally performed to get a value for insurance purposes. What would it cost to replace the piece at full retail price. DO not expect to sell your jewelry at anything close to the appraised amount. UNless jewelry is really, really unique you can expect pennies on the dollar. JEwelry is a horrid investment.
Does anyone get their jewelry appraised that you get on line. I never have, never really thought about it. Maybe I should to see if it comes close to what I paid.

I have taken a few pieces to a local family jewelry store that I would trust with anything. I don't get a full written appraisal but I've had them look at a piece just to tell me if I got totally ripped off or not. They always gave me a ballpark figure. A few times it was right in the same area as I paid for the item, once it was well above and a few times it was less than what I paid.

We deal with appraisals of jewelry on a regular basis for work and we've never been able to get the jeweler to appraise while we wait. The pieces are always left and we have to go back and get them.

Re: How do you find someone to appraise your jewelry?

depglass — Fri, 20 Jan 2017 21:55:51 GMT

I like Esmerelda's idea of calling your insurance agent or company. They are the ones you will be dealing with should you suffer a loss. You want them familiar and comfortable with that person or store. I had a few appraisals done in my early jewelry buying history. Way back in the 80's my store charged me 40.00 for each item and supplied photos, diamond grades and carat weights for each piece. Then I discovered QVC and estate auctions and I've been winging it ever since. I tend to stick to more inexpensive pieces so I can buy more. I no longer bother with insurance. I still dabble in antiques and insurance for dealers is just too expensive.

Re: How do you find someone to appraise your jewelry?

CalminHeart — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 13:52:11 GMT

Don't go to a chain jeweler for an appraisal. I found a local, independent, top notch jeweler in town and trust him. You may have to ask for references or ask friends for a good independent jeweler.

Re: How do you find someone to appraise your jewelry?

Trinity11 — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 17:58:49 GMT

My better jewelry is appraised by a licensed appraiser in our area. He does not sell jewelry. I need it for insurance purposes and I was told anyone who sells jewelry may be biased.