After scheduling an appointment, we’ll meet to conduct the jewelry examination. I have all necessary gemological equipment to conduct the exam and you are welcome to observe if you wish. I recommend you bring a book to read depending on how long it goes. During the exam, I will confirm the gemstone’s authenticity, take measurements, and collect other relevant details about your jewelry including photographs. After the exam, you can leave and I’ll write a full appraisal report and email you a PDF copy.

A professionally written appraisal begins with a Cover Page and Scope of Work section detailing client information, the documents objective, function and the type of value being sought. Next, you’ll find the body of the report containing a detailed description of the composition, quality, and monetary value of your jewelry along with several photographs. Additionally, you’ll find sections detailing Assumptions and Limiting Conditions, a Confidentiality Statement, Privacy Statement, Certification of Appraisal Practice and a list of gemological equipment available to use during the examination.

I specialize in insurance appraisals, estate appraisals, and gem identification consultation.

Because the value of precious metals and gemstones can change, it is crucial to have evaluations updated every three to five years. This ensures you are fully covered for the current value of your jewelry.

For an Insurance Appraisal, examination time depends on the complexity of the piece and can take up to an hour per piece. For Estate Appraisals, you can expect 5-20 items reviewed per hour. 

For individual item insurance appraisals, I often have a detailed report emailed to you within one to three days of examination. However, this can take longer during particularly busy times.  For unique or antique pieces requiring deeper research, you can expect a finished appraisal within a week. For more than three or four items or an Estate Appraisal turnaround depends on the size of the estate. It can take up to one to two weeks for a finished report.

No. It is unethical for a jewelry appraiser to make an offer to buy your jewelry. 

No. If the appraiser guesses too low or too high, there is no benefit for you and it puts the appraiser's reputation at risk.

I am trained to appraise all fine jewelry and gemstones with specialties in colored stones, diamonds, and opal.

Yes, this is very helpful, especially for diamonds as they have an affinity for grease. A bowl of warm water, a drop or two of dish detergent and a toothbrush does an excellent job of safely cleaning most jewelry.

Fair Market Value is defined as the price at which the property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither being under any compulsion to buy or to sell and both having reasonable knowledge of relevant facts. In practical terms, this is often less than retail value (buying the item new at the store) and more than liquidation value (wishing to sell the item quickly at a pawnshop). Antique pieces, collectables, and rare gem specimens would be an exception and can appraise higher than a modern reproduction or equivalent.

It is better to hire an independent jewelry appraiser to write your appraisals. A store owner or employee probably does not have the specific training or credentials to write an appraisal that would meet the standards required by an insurance company for an appraisal document. Plus, the store owner or employee may have a conflict of interest and assign a biased value.

Yes, you are more than welcome to observe the examination process and ask questions. I encourage it!

That depends on why you need a value:

Insurance appraisals provide an accurate description and a replacement value so your insurance company can provide an appropriate amount of coverage to replace your item in the event of a loss.

Resale appraisals help you to determine an asking price when you want to sell your jewelry.

Fair market value appraisals are used for estate planning, charitable donations, divorce settlement, and other similar situations. It determines the price a willing buyer would pay a willing seller in a transaction where neither is forced or coerced to buy or sell.

Besides the jewelry, bring all related documents - receipts, past appraisals, diamond reports, etc. Also, anything that indicates the age of the piece - letters, notes, receipts, etc. You might also want to bring a book to read or something to do while you wait.

The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA) is dedicated to promoting stringent quality standards for gem and jewelry appraisers. The association’s primary purpose is to serve the public’s trust by supporting, educating, and promoting highly qualified professional gemologist appraisers with expertise specific to the assignment. The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers is the only appraisal association in the United States that devotes itself solely to the appraisal of gems and jewelry. NAJA membership provides reasonable assurance to clients that their appraisal report is prepared with professional skill and integrity.

Click here to learn more. https://najaappraisers.com/

Many consider the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) to be the premier professional gemology institution in the world. The goal of GIA’s Graduate Gemologist program is to provide students with comprehensive information necessary to thrive in the jewelry industry.​The Graduate Gemologist (GG) designation is conferred upon those who have successfully completed five course studies and three lab classes covering diamonds, colored stones, and gem identification. A Graduate Gemologist candidate must also receive a perfect score to pass the final gem identification section of the program. There is an informal competition to be First In Class, and I received that distinction. When studying on campus, this program allows for wide exposure to a large vault of gems and minerals during studies, as well as a valuable understanding of both the scientific and business approach to the jewelry business. It takes approximately seven months to complete and classes are held daily from 8am-3pm. Distance learning is also available, but often takes several years to complete the program. Earning a Graduate Gemologist degree from the GIA involves a significant time and financial investment and is a marker of excellence in the jewelry industry.