Do you know the true worth of that diamond broach you inherited from your grandmother or the tennis bracelet your sweetie gave you last Valentine’s Day? If you’re like many people, that answer is, “Probably not.” There are many reasons why people avoid having their jewelry appraised. They may feel awkward inquiring about the value of something that was given to them as a gift, or they may be unwilling to pay the appraisal fee. If you’re looking for a convenient way to assess the value of items in your jewelry case, an online jewelry appraisal may be the answer.
How Do Online Jewelry Appraisals Work?
Many online appraisals are done in conjunction with sales to online jewelry and gold buyers. Many of these buyers work with members of professional organizations like the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), the International Society of Appraisers (ISA) and the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA).
When you go to a buyer’s website, you may be asked to fill out a form requesting an appraisal kit. The buyer will then mail you a FedEx envelope for your jewelry and provide you with instructions on downloading a prepaid FedEx label. You will receive a confirmation email when your envelope reaches the buyer. The value of your items will be calculated using the weight of your items and the daily price of gold as well as the types of gemstones used in your jewelry and the grade of those stones.
There are also a few companies that offer online jewelry appraisals in conjunction with insurance coverage. This type of insurance coverage can come in handy should your jewelry be lost or stolen.
What Should Your Jewelry Appraisal Contain?
If your appraiser is a member of the ASA, the ISA, or the NAJA, you may receive a certificate of appraisal. This certificate should contain the following information:
- Your name and address
- The specific type of jewelry, e.g. ring, necklace, broach etc.
- The metal used in the jewelry
- The gemstones used in the jewelry
- The jewelry’s manufacturer or designer
- The condition of the jewelry
- The reason why the appraisal is being conducted, e.g. resale, insurance, etc.
- The appraiser’s credentials
The appraisal will also be signed and dated by the appraiser.