Appraisals

Appraisals

Appraisals for Insurance Purposes

Check with your insurance agent to find out if an appraisal is required to purchase insurance on your jewelry. Insurance companies have different requirements and offer different types of coverage. Some insurance companies will accept your sales receipt as proof of purchase; others will require you to have an appraisal.

Gemological Reports from Topazery

When you purchase a jewelry piece from topazery.com, you may want to print for your records, the gemological report that displays online for your antique or estate jewelry piece. This gemological report is available when you click on a thumbnail photo; it displays to the right of the enlarged jewelry photos and may be printed, along with two photos, by clicking on the Printable View button. The report is prepared by an appraiser who is not a Topazery employee and who has earned the coveted GIA Graduate Gemologist diploma as well as the title of AGS Certified Gemologist Appraiser. All appraisers who assist Topazery must also be a member of one of the professional appraisal organizations like the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, the International Society of Appraisers, or the American Gem Society. In addition, they must have experience and training in the field of antique and vintage jewelry and must regularly participate in continuing education courses in their field. Topazery insists on these requirements to insure that our customers receive accurate gemological information about the jewelry offered for sale on our website.

The Gemological Institute of America, GIA, is the world's foremost authority in gemology, diamond grading, jewelry education, gemology research, diamond and gemstone grading reports and laboratory services. All diamonds and gemstones sold by Topazery are graded by the standards as taught by the GIA. The title of Certified Gemologist Appraiser is awarded by the American Gem Society (AGS) to those individuals who have completed advanced studies in appraisal methodologies. AGS members aim to provide their customers with the very best service and information available in appraising jewelry and gemstones.

USPAP Appraisals

Most jewelry pieces for sale on Topazery.com are NOT offered with a written appraisal as part of your purchase but we are pleased to provide one upon request. If you require a written appraisal, you may order a USPAP compliant appraisal, for a fee of $150.00 and up, depending on the jewelry piece. USPSP compliant appraisals may require up to 4 weeks for delivery and the fee is non-refundable. If you want to purchase an appraisal, please let us know when you place your order so we may schedule time with an appraiser to prepare the document before your jewelry is shipped.

All jewelry appraisals which are provided by Topazery are written in narrative form in compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practices (USPAP). The appraisals are written by appraisers who meet the following credentials: 1) hold a Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) diploma from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA); and 2) hold the title of Certified Gemologist Appraiser by the AGS (American Gem Society).

Second Opinion Appraisals

If you take your Topazery jewelry piece to a jewelry store for an appraisal, be prepared to be disappointed when you receive the evaluation. Why? Because in most cases, the person who assists you sells new jewelry and is not trained or qualified to give you an assessment of an antique, vintage or estate jewelry piece. A conflict of interest also exists because this person would like to sell you jewelry from their own store, putting them in a difficult position to give you an accurate, objective evaluation of quality and value for a jewelry item you have purchased elsewhere.

To receive an objective evaluation of quality and value for your jewelry, take your ring or other jewelry piece to an independent appraiser who has formal training in appraisal science and who has experience appraising antique and estate jewelry for estate and insurance purposes. The appraiser should hold a Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) diploma from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). The appraiser should also have at least 7 years experience appraising antique and estate jewelry and should be accredited by at least one of the following professional organizations: the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, the International Society of Appraisers, or the American Gem Society.

Working in the jewelry industry does not make someone an appraiser. Antique jewelry appraising is a profession and one must be trained and tested just as doctors and lawyers and other professionals are educated and certified in their respective fields. Some individuals who offer appraisals have no formal training, and have little or no experience appraising antique jewelry. Often times these same people do not have the appropriate equipment for testing and evaluating metals, diamonds, and gemstones. Be sure to ask about an appraiser's experience, education and training before you hire him or her. A professional antique and estate jewelry appraiser will be happy to show credentials and tell you about the equipment he or she uses to perform tests and make evaluations.

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