[Buster46]

I would like to find a good jewelry appraiser close to TV to appraise rings and watches. I would like an appraiser that will do it while I wait as do not want to leave the items with them. Also, what should I expect to pay for the appraisal? Any information is greatly appreciated. .

Thank you

[yabbadu]

Went to jeweler in Lake Sumter but left jewelry with them. Cost is based on value and number of pieces. I am sure they are very busy now at any jewelry store so getting a walk in appraisal would be highly unlikely. Bottom line: Ask them!

[Bogie Shooter]

Coast to Coast jewelry store in Southern Trace.
While you wait. No charge unless you need documention for insurance purposes.

[NotGolfer]

Gold & Art Jewelry (they advertise on WVLG radio) on 441 near Longhorn Steakhouse does this. Had mine done when they were fixed.

[goldseekur]

Originally Posted by Buster46

I would like to find a good jewelry appraiser close to TV to appraise rings and watches. I would like an appraiser that will do it while I wait as do not want to leave the items with them. Also, what should I expect to pay for the appraisal? Any information is greatly appreciated. .

Thank you

Even a GOOD home inspector will take 4 or more hours to do a house inspection if he/she is to be thorough and protect your interest.

As a former jeweler, my two cents worth is you will NOT get a detailed, accurate appraisal from someone that will do it on a "while you wait" basis. To do a proper appraisal one must clean the jewelry thoroughly first and that alone could take some time. Then there are stone measurements, mounting measurements, grading of the diamonds against a master color set, the weight of the item [including the stones], if the stone [diamond is of one carat plus in size, then there should be a plotting of the characteristics of the diamond. A photo of the item should be taken to be added to the appraisal as well. Then there is research that needs to be done to accurately value the diamond[s]. If done properly this takes time, not something that should be rushed by having someone sitting around "looking over your shoulder, waiting".

Also, if you do not trust the person that you are asking to do the appraisal on your jewelery, why would you trust his/her evaluation? You need to feel comfortable and trust the person or don't use them.

Also, for your FYI, never, never have an appraisal done by someone that bases their charges on a percentage of the value of the item. It would be in that person's best interest to "over inflate" the value so they would be paid more for the appraisal.

My appraisals started at $75 per item and went up based upon the number of stones in the mounting. I never discounted my appraisals because I was asked to do multiple items, each item takes a certain amount of time to prep, evaluate, photo, and then write out the appraisal in such a way as to protect you the owner, NOT the insurance company. Vague, descriptions of the jewelry with only a short description and a total value of the item without individual breakdown of the stones verses the mounting and labor only gives the insurance companies the ability to assign as little value to the "part" that is lost.

One last thing before I "get off my soap box" - do not go for an over valued appraisal thinking you are going to get more for the piece if it is lost or stolen, most likely you will NOT. For the most part, an insurance company only has to "make you whole" . Why pay premiums on an item that was appraised for $3500 if you could purchase the item everyday for around $2000- $2500?

Sorry for the long post but I loved my work and did well at my own business, that is why I were able to retire to The Villages at an early age!

[Halibut]

Thanks, goldseekur! Very informative.

Does the price of the piece make a difference? My wife has been thinking about selling a couple of her rings on eBay and wants to get an accurate description of the stones, metal, carat weight, etc. in order to list them correctly. Each piece is likely worth no more than $300 at this point, so would paying $75 or so for an appraisal be worth the effort?

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by goldseekur

Even a GOOD home inspector will take 4 or more hours to do a house inspection if he/she is to be thorough and protect your interest.

As a former jeweler, my two cents worth is you will NOT get a detailed, accurate appraisal from someone that will do it on a "while you wait" basis. To do a proper appraisal one must clean the jewelry thoroughly first and that alone could take some time. Then there are stone measurements, mounting measurements, grading of the diamonds against a master color set, the weight of the item [including the stones], if the stone [diamond is of one carat plus in size, then there should be a plotting of the characteristics of the diamond. A photo of the item should be taken to be added to the appraisal as well. Then there is research that needs to be done to accurately value the diamond[s]. If done properly this takes time, not something that should be rushed by having someone sitting around "looking over your shoulder, waiting".

Also, if you do not trust the person that you are asking to do the appraisal on your jewelery, why would you trust his/her evaluation? You need to feel comfortable and trust the person or don't use them.

Also, for your FYI, never, never have an appraisal done by someone that bases their charges on a percentage of the value of the item. It would be in that person's best interest to "over inflate" the value so they would be paid more for the appraisal.

My appraisals started at $75 per item and went up based upon the number of stones in the mounting. I never discounted my appraisals because I was asked to do multiple items, each item takes a certain amount of time to prep, evaluate, photo, and then write out the appraisal in such a way as to protect you the owner, NOT the insurance company. Vague, descriptions of the jewelry with only a short description and a total value of the item without individual breakdown of the stones verses the mounting and labor only gives the insurance companies the ability to assign as little value to the "part" that is lost.

One last thing before I "get off my soap box" - do not go for an over valued appraisal thinking you are going to get more for the piece if it is lost or stolen, most likely you will NOT. For the most part, an insurance company only has to "make you whole" . Why pay premiums on an item that was appraised for $3500 if you could purchase the item everyday for around $2000- $2500?

Sorry for the long post but I loved my work and did well at my own business, that is why I were able to retire to The Villages at an early age!

I agree with all of this. I just had jewelry appraised for re-insurance purposes at Gause & Son Jewelers in Ocala. (Been in business since 1950; very reputable) They kept the jewelry, as they must take pictures, weigh, categorize the stones & gold, make the appraisal, write it up. I wouldn't want an on-the-spot appraisal. You get two copies, one in color and one in black & white. The color copy is supposed to be for you, but the insurance companies around here insist on having a color copy, so they borrowed mine & returned it.

Gause's current price is $95 for the first item and $45 or $50 for each additional item. They are located in the square in Ocala, on the Harry's Seafood Grille side.

[Buster46]

Thank you. I really appreciate taking the time to reply.

[SLPJR]

Finding the value of watches is easy, just check ebay and see what like watches have sold for..if you have some high end mens watches you would like to selli i may be interested...

[goldseekur]

Originally Posted by Halibut

Thanks, goldseekur! Very informative.

Does the price of the piece make a difference? My wife has been thinking about selling a couple of her rings on eBay and wants to get an accurate description of the stones, metal, carat weight, etc. in order to list them correctly. Each piece is likely worth no more than $300 at this point, so would paying $75 or so for an appraisal be worth the effort?

Sorry I haven't responded sooner. Missed the thread for some reason.

The price of the piece should not make any difference from the view of the appraiser. The purpose of an appraisal is to evaluate, describe, and determine a value for the item. The time that takes is the same or similar whether the cost of the item is a $300 or $3000.

The difference in an appraisal is in the type of appraisal. Is it for insurance purpose for replacement value, point of sales document, fair market value,[as for an estate settlement or a divorce], donation, or liquidation. These all serve different functions, so one should be sure to request the proper documentation for the specific job.

In my opinion, if you are wanting to sale an item on Ebay, or even to a private individual, you should go ahead and get the item appraised properly. You should want the buyer to be able to take the item to their jeweler and verify your description and value. Just include the cost of the appraisal in the total price of the item you want to sell. For instance,if you have the item appraised and the cost of the appraisal is $75 and you want to get $400 for an item, price it at $475, to cover your cost of the appraisal as well.

Hope this helps.