How jewelry appraisal works

What the appraiser does

Measures and weighs every stone in the mount, takes a refractive index, checks specific gravity and fluorescence and examines the piece at 10× and under a darkfield microscope. That is where treatments, synthetics and replaced stones show up.

Then they research what the piece sells for in your market and write it down with their signature and credential on it.

The three values

Replacement value is what a shop would charge to sell you the piece new today. Insurers want this one and it is the highest of the three.

Fair market value is what it would change hands for between a willing buyer and seller. Estates, divorce and tax use this and it is usually well below replacement.

Quick-sale value is what a buyer pays this week. It is the lowest and the reason a $14,000 appraisal turns into a $3,000 offer at the counter.

What it costs

A flat fee per item or an hourly rate, depending on the deliverable and depth of the appraisal. Nobody listed here charges a percentage of the value. That practice pays the appraiser more for a higher number and most insurers will not accept it.

In person or remote

Remote means photographs or a video call. It is enough for an estimate, a resale number and many insurance schedules and it is how you get a credentialed opinion when nobody is near you.

In person or mail-in is the full examination with the stone in hand. Ask your insurer which they accept before you book.

How often to do it again

Every three years and after any repair or restyle. Metal and stone prices move and an out-of-date value is the most common reason a claim pays out short.