Jewelry Appraisal Center

What To Do With A Big Jewelry Win Question: I recently won a piece of jewelry from a contest in the U.S.

The Art of the Steal: Inside the Sotheby’s-Christie’s Auction House Scandal

Price: $8.49

The insurance retail value is 280,000 dollars and I took it to Sotheby’s and they told me that they will set the reserve at only 80,000 dollars.

Is that realistic?

Should I try another market besides the auction market?… Continue reading What To Do With A Big Jewelry Win...

Black Diamond Values Question: Hello, I have a pair of Black diamond Stud earrings , they are 4.00ctw, and in a 14k WG 4 prong setting.

Forever Brilliant : The Aurora Collection of Colored Diamonds

Price: $37.59

I was wondering how much they could be worth?

I think they are I1-I2…

Could you be of any help?

Please Email me ASAP

Thank You… Continue reading Black Diamond Values...

ArtCarved Marked On Ring Question: Hi, I have a 14 karat plain gold band ring, and I was wondering how much
something like this would be worth?

Wedding Workbook

Price: $12.50

On the inside of the ring “14K ArtCarved” is engraved.

If you could please find any information regarding the worth of this ring, please, let me know!

Thanks!… Continue reading ArtCarved Marked On Ring...

Ivory Value in 2007 Question to ‘Ask The Appraiser:’ We have a carved ivory rose that is attached to a necklace of what I think are pearls. They might be Ivory also.

Gem and Ornamental Materials of Organic Origin

Price: $49.45

I have a photo of this necklace being worn in 1923.

Does vintage ivory have any value in the year 2007?… Continue reading Ivory Value in 2007?...

After 35 years working in the Jewelry Industry, one of THE most common questions we get is How to Sell Jewelry.

Generally this is because people do NOT understand what an Appraisal really is – or what it is for.

As a gemologist and Valuer I understand that my client in NOT the person standing before me in the Lab.

My client is in truth, the Insurance company, and the appraisal certificate is for them – not my customer. Yet this is NEVER explained to them so they THINK that if I Value something at $1000 dollars – that is what it is worth. It is NOT. That is the Insurance REPLACEMENT VALUE.

So in an attempt to explain it fully, and after receiving a request for information, I decided to publish both the original question and my answer in the hope it might make things clearer to visitors to this website.

Here is the Question:

Hi David, I own an engagement and wedding ring set which I would like to sell.

I did have it appraised by a professional Gemologist here in Ottawa, Ontario.

Warman’s Jewelry (3rd Edition)

Price: $19.00

It has been appraised at $3,100.(Cdn). Outside of going to a Jewellery Store and them offering me more than less the appraised value of the rings, I would like to know if you would suggest another route I might go to sell my rings?

Also what would you think would be a fair market price to ask?

I also undertand there are personal newspaper ads which can be put in the local area but wondering if you could suggest another source to sell a lovely set of rings.

In advance… thank you for your time. It is appreciated.… Continue reading How To Sell Your Jewelry – Truths and Myths...