Jewelry Appraisal Center

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...

How to Invest in Jewelry…

As Jewelry is ‘Really’ based on the ‘Collectability’ and Style of an item, it is hard for clients to appreciate the ‘Craft’ involved in Handmade work as they only see the Gold value or Diamond Value fluctuate over the years.

Secrets To Collecting Jewelry

Price: $8.00

If Gold goes up, the Jewelry value increases, right?

No – Not always. It depends…

How to Invest in Jewelry and NOT

How to Sell your Jewelry…

At the Jewelry Appraisals Online Center two of the most frequently asked questions we get is:

• “How do I sell an item of Antique or Estate Jewelry?”
• “How much should I ask for it?”

Very often people receive an item as a ‘Hand Down’ or ‘Bequest’ after someone has passed away. It may, or may not be worth something, or the person ‘Just doesn’t like it’….

So here is what to do..?

RULE 1: Take back control.

The Jewelry Trade in general are a Fine and… Continue reading How to Sell Jewelry...

How to Clean Your Jewelry At Home…

It looks like a million dollars but after a couple of months it doesn’t have the same ‘Sparkle’ or look it once had (a bit like me really).

So what are we to do?

The first thing is to make sure it is SAFE to be cleaned., and this is how we do it…

Naturally, delicate items should be best left to a professional Jeweler to clean.

BUT Opals, Pearls and Emeralds are very susceptible to damage in a Jewelers Ultrasonic cleaning tank, as it can loosen pearls… Continue reading Cleaning Your Jewelry At Home...

GIA or ISG or neither?

Question: Hello, I always had an interest in gems and in the back of my mind, I always wanted to go to GIA to become a gemologist.

Gemology

$199.96 USD

I would like to work with stones, matching up with color and clarity to be set in jewelry but I don’t want to manufacture jewelry. I am more interested in the quality side if that makes sense.

My question to you… Continue reading GIA or ISG or Neither?...

How to Avoid A Jewelry Disaster…

If you were subscribed to our website, Newsletters, Courses or Reports you would have received a copy of the email written below. We thought it was so important that we have once again reproduced it here on our Blog, together with a few replies we received at the time.

The Katrina Hurricane in the Gulf ranks right up there with the very worst of Natural (or human) disasters.

This article was written within a few hours of the News hitting the airways.

Please feel free to add any comments… Continue reading Jewelry Disasters...

There are particular pieces of jewelry that are worthy for certain occasions. Diamond anniversary band is a piece of jewelry that suits a specific occasion. Diamond anniversary band is a perfect gift for the loved one to celebrate any anniversary. There are however certain main features that must be regarded before preferring a diamond ring.

Choosing A Diamond Anniversary Band

Diamond anniversary bands come in variety of sizes and styles. The ring usually has two parts which are ring setting portion and the gemstone part. While selecting a ring, knowing four Cs of diamonds can be very helpful. These include cut… Continue reading Buying Diamond Anniversary Bands At Reasonable Costs...

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...

What You Need To Know About Gold Teeth:

There are different types of gold teeth; you can get crowns, gold fillings, caps or even whole teeth.

Another form are called “grillz” which appear as if you have a whole set of gold teeth.

You may think that having gold in the mouth will be prone to damage, as gold is quite a soft metal, however the gold teeth are designed in such a way that damage is minimal if anything.

If it… Continue reading Gold Teeth...