How to Find a Jewelry Appraiser

Getting a qualified professional to inspect a piece of jewelry may very well be a prerequisite to readying the item for sale or getting appropriate insurance coverage. Although a family heirloom may have decades of family lore attached to it, only the expert can look past the sentimental value and grade the jewelry based on artisanship, setting material and objective value. Not surprisingly, it is of the utmost importance to find a jewelry appraiser who meets the stringent requirements of auction houses, insurers and buyers.

Working with a Trained Professional

Having a trained eye for jewelry is not something a professional automatically acquires after a few years in the business. Only those individuals who worked with accomplished gemologists can hope to glean enough hands-on experience to develop a sixth sense when it comes to jewelry. Watching a master at work and then having this individual actively pass down methods, expertise and plenty of hands-on training are the hallmarks of the seasoned appraisal specialist.

Knowing Jewelry Hands-on

If an appraiser has never seen or touched a damaged piece of Victorian mourning jewelry, how can the professional hope to adequately ascertain the genuine nature of another similar item? Only when a professional appraiser has actually worked with the jewelry, seen it at its worst and then participated in the mending process can this expert truly draw from personal experience. It is always a good idea to hire an appraiser who is currently also actively involved in jewelry repair.

Providing Varied Appraisal Services

An appraiser should not be a one-trick pony. It is one thing to give an opinion to a jewelry buyer or seller on the worth of a selected piece. It is an entirely different situation to perform estate appraisals that not only determine the fair market value of various jewelry items but also lead to legally binding probate determinations. Well-rounded professionals are as comfortable in a small shop as they are in the courtroom or a client’s home. The latter is usually the case when making an insurance appraisal that determines the insurable value of a piece of jewelry. Since insurance companies base a coverage contract on these appraisals, accuracy and the ability to prove findings are of the utmost importance.

Understanding the Documentation Process

Although an appraisal is an opinion, it must be one that is rooted in detailed observation and valuation. The seasoned appraiser offers clients a document that details the attributes, which led to a particular appraised value. This might include the cataloging of defects, the mentioning of specialty stone cuts and the overall marketability of an item to an interested buyer. In fact, plenty of highly trained appraisers prefer to assign each documented item a value that then determines the overall worth of a piece of jewelry.

Peter Suchy Jewelers offers appraisal and valuation services and estate and vintage jewelry repair. We hope you’ll bookmark our blog and follow us on Facebook and Twitter!