Expert Jewelry Appraisal Services

As your trusted full-service jeweler, Provident Jewelry offers professional jewelry appraisal services. If you're considering appraisal services, you likely have questions and we're here to provide answers. Explore the most frequently asked questions below, and rest assured that our team of jewelry experts and G.I.A. Graduate Gemologists in South Florida are here to assist you every step of the way.

 

Jewelry Appraisals FAQs:

 

Our team is dedicated to providing comprehensive answers to all your appraisal queries. Contact us today to schedule your appraisal appointment and unlock the true value of your jewelry collection.

Why Get an Appraisal?

The majority of appraisals are done for insurance replacement purposes. With an official appraisal, you could possibly receive reimbursement for your jewelry through your insurance company in the event of a loss or damage. But note that this could be influenced by the terms of your insurance and circumstances, as well as the accuracy of the appraisal.

Another reason to get a jewelry appraisal is to establish fair market value. Fair market value could reflect the item’s value in its current condition (versus new) if you were to sell it. This tends to run lower than retail replacement values because replacement values typically reflect the cost to replace a used item with a brand-new equivalent.

If you’ve inherited jewelry or watches, one of your immediate priorities should be having it appraised and insured. Whether you inherited jewelry or purchased a new diamond engagement ring, you could have an appraiser assess the quality and condition of the jewelry for your own knowledge and your personal records.

Appraisals of jewelry can also be very useful, and necessary, when you are planning to sell, consign, or trade an item, are settling an estate, or distributing property in a divorce.


How to Get Your Jewelry Appraised

Here are our best tips for going about selecting an appraiser or appraisal services. Keep in mind that to get an accurate appraisal, it should take place in person. Online services that use pictures alone can’t accurately note distinctive characteristics, attributes, and blemishes in the jewelry. Professional appraisers have the training and specialized equipment that is required to accurately evaluate jewelry, gemstones, and watches.

Here are some tips:

  • Look for on-site expert gemologist
  • Before you obtain an appraisal, clearly identify and communicate why you need one and which type of appraisal to obtain.
  • Look for someone with credentials: A Graduate Gemologist diploma from the GIA or an equivalent organization.
  • Consider how unusual circumstances and market fluctuations may influence value. Sudden increases or decreases in the availability and/or demand for certain gemstones, metals, and brands may influence value significantly.
  • Choose an appraisal professional who has experience working with various types of jewelry over many years.
  • If you’re getting an appraisal for insurance purposes, your provider may require specific certifications for the appraisal to be valid. Check with your insurance company ahead of time to determine what their requirements are.
  • Do your research and choose an appraiser who specializes in (or has experience with) your specific type of jewelry.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the experience of the professional who will be estimating the worth of your jewelry.

Some questions to ask:

  • Are you a graduate gemologist?
  • Are you a member of any professional associations?
  • How often do you complete certifications and are they up to date?
  • What equipment would be used to evaluate my jewelry?
  • Do you have a particular area of expertise?
  • Can you provide references?
  • What is your trade experience?

How to Get an Estate Jewelry Appraisal?

In the case of estate evaluations specifically, fair market value is used. Fair market value is an assessment based on what an owner would expect to pay for it on the secondary market. Not what a buyer would necessarily pay.

Appraisal criteria for estate jewelry items are legislated to include specific information and data and are not equal to an insurance replacement appraisal. Therefore, the estate appraisal is usually a lower value than a replacement value


How to Get an Antique Jewelry Appraisal?

Much like sourcing an appraiser for any other type of jewelry, you should choose someone with the proper training, credentials, experience, and solid reviews. Make sure that they have experience with antique jewelry items specifically. You can have your antique jewelry appraised at Provident Jewelry in South Florida. We have experienced G.I.A. Gemologists who are able to accurately evaluate your antique pieces.


How Much Does a Jewelry Appraisal Cost?

Appraisal costs may vary with the complexity of the item. Some professionals charge an hourly rate, and some charge a flat fee. Be aware that certain specialized and highly experienced appraisers could charge more. You may also pay more if you have multiple items.

It is best to call and discuss your items and the purpose of your appraisal to get a rough estimate of costs. You may contact us to discuss appraisal costs for your item or to schedule an appointment to visit one of our stores.


What is Included in a Jewelry Appraisal?

An appraisal is a physical document that describes and assesses the quality, characteristics, and value of a piece of jewelry. The appraisal will typically include visible and measurable aspects of the jewelry, as well as subjective features.

A Professional Jewelry Appraisal May Include:

  • Weight
  • The type of metal, such as platinum, yellow gold, or white gold
  • Markings
  • Gemstones
  • Quality
  • Authenticity
  • Rarity
  • Chemical composition of the stone
  • Optical effect
  • Refractive index
  • Clarity
  • Color
  • Cut
  • Carat or weight (depending on the stone)
  • Denseness and hardness of the stone
  • The current retail market value of the jewelry item (this depends on the appraisal)
  • A complete description of the item
  • The shape of the stones if it is gemstone jewelry

Where Can I Get Jewelry Appraised?

You can get your jewelry appraised at any one of our 7 South Florida locations. View locations here. Schedule an appraisal online below, or call us now for immediate assistance. All of our appraisals are completed by one of our certified professionals and can be used for insurance purposes or any other purpose you require. Please be sure to let us know the reason for your appraisal request when scheduling your appointment.

You may obtain your appraisal from any one of our 7 South Florida Locations:

  • West Palm Beach
  • Jupiter
  • Palm Beach
  • Wellington
  • Naples
  • Fort Myers

What Type of Items Could be Appraised?
  • Rolex appraisal
  • Jewelry appraisal
  • Watch appraisal
  • Diamond appraisal
  • Estate jewelry appraisal
  • Antique jewelry appraisal
  • Fine art appraisal
  • Wedding ring appraisal
  • Engagement ring appraisal
  • Gemstone appraisal

Pro Tips to Help You Prepare for Your Appraisal Service
  • Jewelry appraisals should be updated periodically (approximately every 5 years).
  • Be sure to discuss the costs of your appraisal beforehand.
  • If you have your diamond report or paperwork, bring it with you.
  • Bring any official documentation that came along with your purchase – such as receipts, warranties, proof of authenticity, or any previous appraisals.
  • Make sure you mention the purpose of the appraisal.
  • List down all the historical details you have about the jewelry or heirloom.
  • Always ask for your appraisal in writing and keep it somewhere safe.

We hope that this has answered some of your questions about appraisal services. If you still have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment at one of our 7 locations please feel free to contact us through the form below or visit one of our locations. We look forward to meeting you and helping you with your appraisal! Provident Jewelry is a full-service jeweler serving South Florida, with over 26 years of experience and 7 locations. Contact us today.

Ring Size Guide
Find your size by measuring either a string you've wrapped around your finger or by using a ring that fits.

Take a piece of non-stretchable string, ribbon, thread, or a thin strip of paper. Wrap it comfortably around your ring finger, close to the knuckle.

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