Should I Have My Jewelry Appraised Online?
We all know that high end jewelry is an investment and that’s why it’s important to seek an appraisal on all your pieces. Here at DazzleMe, we only deal in the finest – both gems and gemologists! The appraisal process spells out exactly what your pieces are worth to ensure you are always in the know on its monetary value and allows you to buy adequate insurance coverage. Our highly experiences jewelers are ready to assist you!
Keep in mind that a piece of jewelry’s appraised replacement or retail value is not the same as its fair market or resale value. Replacement or retail value is how much someone can expect to pay for the jewelry in a store. Fair market or resale value is how much you can expect to fetch if you are looking to resell your jewelry on the open market such as a consignment shop. Make sure you understand which value the appraisal represents. This will give you an estimate of what that consignment price will be.
How Do I Get Jewelry Appraised?
If you’re wondering where to get jewelry appraised, you have two options—take your rings, bracelets, and necklaces to a local jeweler, like one of our many locations, or have your jewelry appraised online.
An in-store jeweler will inspect your pieces to determine their value. At DazzleMe, our team will check weight, quality, relative rarity, and overall quality of manufacture. Remember, while an inspection can be useful for pricing and determining insurance replacement value, it may not convey the exact quality, specifications, and other attributes inherent to the item. For that, we recommend a GIA- or AGS-certified appraisal.
The Gemological Institute of America and the American Gem Society are internationally recognized laboratories that offer jewelry lab reports and appraiser credentialing programs. For the most accurate jewelry appraisal possible, several of our jewelers hold this high caliber of training.
Some local jewelers are GIA- or AGS-certified and can produce a thorough, stamped appraisal. You might also have luck searching online. This eliminates geographical restrictions when looking for a reputable jewelry buyer or consignor with access to the gem evaluation instruments needed to provide an accurate appraisal.
How Much Does a Jewelry Appraisal Cost?
Often, a local jeweler will provide an evaluation for free, especially if you’re a regular customer. But for a more in-depth appraisal, you can expect to pay a flat rate for the jeweler’s time, usually between $75 and $150 per hour.
You shouldn’t have trouble locating a jewelry dealer who will appraise your pieces. Just remember, hiring an appraiser to look at jewelry photos and documentation is fine if you only want a general price estimate, but it’s not good enough for an accurate appraisal. If you’re serious about selling, consigning your jewelry or need an appraisal for insurance purposes, you’ll need to send the piece in.
The trusted, in-store jewelers at DazzleMe.com have decades of experience examining and appraising fine jewelry and have assessed thousands of luxury items for both men and women. Many of them apprenticed with gemologist mentors before embarking on their degrees and certifications from GIA, AGS, and other licensing boards. To enquire about having your jewelry appraised, please contact us today. We also invite you to browse our shop for one-of-a-kind vintage and contemporary jewelry, from timeless pieces of the 20th century to this season’s hottest trends.
