Professional Gemologist Appraiser

White gold v. platinum Question: My boyfriend and I are looking at wedding sets.

Engagement & Wedding Rings, 1st Edition: The Definitive Buying Guide for People in Love

Price: $5.75

How is white gold’s value in relationship to platinum?

What is a better choice?

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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.

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