Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Find out what information should be included in the assessment
• Method 2 of 3: Check the Jewelry Appraiser Information
• Method 3 of 3: Seek a Jewelry Appraiser Through Professional Organizations
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

There are various reasons for evaluating jewelry. You can do an appraisal of jewelry for sale or to determine the value of your jewelry during a homeowner's insurance or real estate tax assessment. You may also need to do an appraisal of your jewelry if you are getting a divorce or using your jewelry as collateral.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Find out what information should be included in the assessment

1. 1 Find a description of all product features. These characteristics should include weight, standards and measurements of the constituents. The color grade of a gem has to be measured against other gemstones.
2. 2 Take notes regarding gemstone processing. If your stone has undergone any atypical processing, or if it has not been processed at all, this should be noted during the examination.
3. 3 Determine if the gem is natural or synthetic.
4. 4 Take notes on a number of parameters.
5. 5 Determine the cost of your jewelry. The value depends on whether you want to insure your jewelry for cash value, replacement value, or agreed value.
   • The cash value is the value of your jewelry at today's market price, not the purchase price.
   • Replacement value means that the insurer will pay you a specific amount based on the market value of the jewelry at the time of loss.
   • The agreed value means that you and your insurer will settle for a specific amount of the reimbursement you will receive in the event that the jewelry is lost.
6. 6 Please note that you will need a photograph of the stone for evaluation.
7. 7 Make sure your jeweler uses the correct pricing parameters. If the appraisal is for an insurer, then your appraiser must use one of the following forms from the Jewelry Insurance Standards Organization:
   • JISO 805 - A receipt for the sale of jewelry for insurance purposes. This form is used when you buy jewelry and can be provided by the vendor who sells the jewelry to you.
   • JISO 806 - Document for Jewelry Insurance. This form is used when you are doing a secondary assessment.
   • JISO 78 - Jewelry Insurance Valuation - A simple document. This form must be completed by an Insurance Company Certified Appraiser and include a very detailed description of the item.
   • JISO 7978 - Jewelry Insurance Valuation is a complex document. This form is also completed by an Insurance Company Certified Appraiser and is used to evaluate multiple pieces of jewelry.

Method 2 of 3: Check the Jewelry Appraiser Information

1. 1 Check for both gemological and appraisal education. In addition to being able to distinguish between gemstones, appraisers need to know appraisal theory so that they can evaluate jewelry against the criteria of appraisal documents.
2. 2 Study your appraiser's resume. Consider professional certification and continuing education, which will show that the evaluator is continually consolidating his skills and knowledge.
3. 3 Check any certified credentials or competencies of a community member. If an appraiser claims to be certified by the American Association of Appraisers, you can recheck the certification by calling the association or visiting the organization's website.
4. 4 Check for errors and omissions in insurance. This is also called liability insurance - mistakes and omissions protect the appraiser in the event that a mistake is made in your appraisal, so that you can receive an appropriate reward.

Method 3 of 3: Seek a Jewelry Appraiser Through Professional Organizations

1. 1 Contact the American Gem Association to find an appraiser in your area. AADK is a non-profit organization dedicated to consumer education and protection. Assessors who are members of the AADC take an annual Re-Certification Exam.
2. 2 Find an appraiser who is a member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers. NAOYUI certifies its members according to their level of knowledge in the industry, and certified members of the association have reached the pinnacle of education in evaluative research.
3. 3 Look for the American Appraisers Association certification. Appraisers who are accredited by AAO are thoroughly trained in various fields, including review and management appraisal, business appraisal, precious stones and jewelry, machinery and technical features, movable and immovable property. They also passed the exams and provided proof that they were able to handle difficult grades.

Tips

• Choose an appraiser who has no plans to buy jewelry. This will ensure that your appraiser does not have a conflict of interest, such as convincing you that your jewelry is worth less than it actually is and making sure to pay as little as possible for your product.
• Clean your jewelry thoroughly before submitting it for examination.
• As a general rule, you should evaluate your jewelry every 3 to 5 years to keep up to date with its current value.

Warnings

• Avoid appraisers who ask to keep your jewelry for long periods of time.
• Avoid appraisers who charge commission based on the size of your gems. Bigger stones do not incur higher fees.

What do you need

• Jewelry
• Correct evaluation criteria