First things first. There should be no difference between a "jewelry appraisal for insurance" and any other type of jewelry appraisal.
All too often, jewelers hear, "I don't want to pay a lot for an appraisal. I only need it to get my jewelry insured."
Shelling out your hard-earned cash for something intangible, that you will hopefully never use, is never fun. However, there is no point in paying for your insurance if it will leave you hanging when you actually need it - all because you didn't want to pay more than the minimum to get an accurate, thorough appraisal.
The importance of jewelry appraisals for insurance
Any time you insure something, you need proof of the item's value and characteristics in order to replace it, whether with a same kind and quality equivalent or cash. In the case of jewelry, if you have an inaccurate appraisal, you may not recover enough funds from an insurance claim to actually replace your piece at fair market prices.
If you have an incomplete jewelry appraisal, what you know to be your cherished jewelry may not be how the insurer interprets the brief description of your piece.
Either way, you can wind up without an equal replacement for the jewelry you've been paying premiums to insure year after year. Kind of defeats the purpose, right?
Bonus: during the appraisal, many jewelry appraisers examine your jewelry for loose diamonds or stones, so that you can fix the issue before losing anything.
Typical jewelry appraisal costs
Now that you understand the importance of an accurate, thorough appraisal, let's discuss the fees associated with such.
Start with the structure of the fee. Appraisal fees should never be based on a percentage of the jewelry's value. This is an ethical violation since the appraiser will make more money by valuing a piece higher, leaving incentive to over-inflate. Appraisal services should always be charged by the hour or a flat fee per piece.
Hourly rates typically range from $50 to $150, depending on the complexity of the jewelry. A simple wedding band will always cost less than a three-stone engagement ring; there's simply more to appraise with the latter.
A thorough jewelry appraisal will include:
- laboratory work to inspect and gather facts about the piece
- market research to compare like pieces
- writing of the appraisal
Antique jewelry appraisals
Sometimes antique jewelry pieces or items with cultural significance may require an expert in that area. An appraiser that specializes in these areas may charge more for his or her services. Also, experienced appraisers who have been in business for a long time, may charge more, too, per pricescope.com.
Find a jewelry appraiser
The most important factor when seeking an accurate, reputable appraisal is the credentials of the appraiser. Check American Gem Society, the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers or Gemological Institute of America for a list of qualified appraisers.
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