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How much is your jewelry worth and who should tell you? The answer to that question could well be “plenty.” Just consider how the price of gold has skyrocketed over the last five years. Most experts recommend that you have your jewelry appraised at least every five years, and choosing the right professional to perform the appraisal is essential.
Do some research and choose your appraiser with care. You will want to consult someone certified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or a jeweler with a sterling reputation earned through many years of experience. Your own reputable jeweler might not be a certified appraiser; in that case, he or she typically will only provide you with the value of the pieces you purchase at his or her jewelry store. And while your jeweler may not have an appraiser on staff, your jeweler may call in a certified appraiser who will evaluate your valuable piece or collection.
When asking a jeweler or appraiser to value your jewelry, be mindful of how you will be charged for the appraisal of individual pieces or a collection. Best practice requires that the cost be based on the number of carats of the stone or the hours it takes to appraise a collection.
For insurance purposes, you will want a replacement cost appraisal that differs from fair market value and estate appraisals. A replacement cost appraisal is a formal opinion of a jewelry item, offered by a certified gemologist, and it should verify authenticity, design, quality and monetary value of the item. Your appraisal should include:
Beware of the term “clarity enhanced.” This means that the clarity of the stone is vastly improved to as much as two grades through the infusion of fractures with oils, resins and glass. Essentially to the naked eye, a stone’s fissures appear less, if not at all, visible. The process, which can potentially add weight, is typically used on rubies, emeralds and diamonds. Clarity-enhanced stones are less expensive than untreated stones.
The seller must disclose upfront that the stone is clarity enhanced. These stones are often sold via outlets such as a home shopping network. Following purchase, it is advisable to ask your own jeweler to examine it.
Click here to learn more about appraisals.
To learn more about diamonds, colored stones and pearls, visit the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
The opinions and positions expressed are the authors’ own and not those of Chubb. The information and/ or data provided herein is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Insurance coverage is subject to the language of the policies as issued.