Jewelry Appraisals

An accurate and detailed jewelry appraisal will provide you with the information necessary to understand the true value of your jewelry. Our appraisals are “replacement cost appraisal,” which can differ from other types of jewelry appraisals, such as a “fair market value appraisal” and an “estate appraisal." A replacement cost appraisal is a formal opinion of a jewelry item, offered by a certified independent gemologist and should verify the authenticity, design, quality and monetary value of the item. It is important that your appraisal contains the following information.

• A detailed description
• Shape and cut (including measurements and weight)
• Proportions
• Finish (including polish and symmetry)
• Color Grade — Diamond coloration is based on a scale of D (colorless) through Z (yellow). Since colorless diamonds allow the most light to pass through, they are the most radiant and the most highly valued.
• Clarity Grade – Almost all diamonds contain small traces of non-diamond crystals called “inclusions”. Most inclusions are not visible to the naked eye and require magnification for viewing. Diamonds with no inclusions are quite rare and extremely valuable. The diamond clarity scale ranges from FI (flawless) to I3 (Imperfect: eye-visible inclusions).
• Estimated replacement value

It is important to note that an appraisal differs from a diamond certificate (also called a diamond report). A diamond certificate is a document generated by a gemological laboratory that describes a loose diamond but does not offer any type of valuation. Diamond certificates are not created for mounted or set stones. The key difference between a certificate and an appraisal is that a certificate does not offer a value for the jewelry item.

The following is an excerpt from the appraisal certificates used on many of our jewelry items.

Since mountings limit full and accurate measurements or observation of one or more gem quality, or other limitations may exist, information on those items noted [A] are approximate. Gem weight approximations are made using formulas suggested by the Gemological Institute of America. Diamond grading terminology is that used by the Gemological Institute of America. This appraisal is a subjective evaluation done in a systematic and professional manner using the finest instruments available. Evaluations and estimates may vary from one appraiser to another without reflecting on the ability of the appraisers.
Some items have uniqueness that make an exact replacement impossible or impractical, so the replacement value is based on the value of a similar item. Except for fraud or gross neglect, no liability with respect to actions that may be taken as a result of this report is assumed. The values unless otherwise stated are estimated retail replacement cost for the purpose of insurance at the time of the appraisal, not including sales taxes. The value is not what a specific jewelry store might charge for the item, nor does it imply an offer to buy the item.