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Jewelry Appraisals

Get an accurate jewelry appraisal from your local expert Appraiser at Washington Diamond.
Located in Falls Church, VA - near Tysons Corner, Washington DC district.

Start An Appraisal

A jewelry appraisal is advisable for anyone purchasing diamonds or fine jewelry, both new, inherited and second-hand. Understanding the process and types of jewelry appraisals available will allow you to make the best choices for your fine jewelry.

At Washington Diamond, our highly knowledgeable and professional appraisers are committed to offering our customers a personal experience, expert knowledge, and the best possible services. Our jewelry appraisal services are no exception.

What is a Jewelry Appraisal?

A jewelry appraisal is a document that outlines the details of an item of jewelry, including its quality, properties (such as hallmarks, weight, materials, etc.) and any other significant identifiers. It then places a value on the item.

The skill and authority of an appraiser can vary. As a minimum, an appraiser will have retail jewelry experience. At the top end, appraisers will have an in-depth knowledge of diamonds and jewelry, including GIA qualifications and other relevant experience. Some appraisers are specialists, focusing on particular areas such as vintage jewelry.

The document given is created by the appraiser directly so it’s important to make sure the individual has a good level of experience and specialist knowledge. Jewelry appraisals will provide the jewelry specifications, value, date of appraisal, and certified appraiser signature to be considered valid such as our jewelry appraisal sample attached here.

There are a few key reasons that an individual would seek a jewelry appraisal which we will explore below.

Types of Jewelry Appraisals

There are two main types of jewelry appraisal:

Fair Market Value

The fair market value is a figure given based on the current retail value of the jewelry.

Liquidation Value

This is a value given if the owner wishes to find an immediate buyer. These values are usually significantly less than the fair market value.

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Jewelry Appraisal for Insurance Purposes

Appraising your jewelry can help to protect your investment if replacement or settlement becomes necessary. While sentimental value can never be returned, it is important to protect your investment with insurance. An accurate appraisal is necessary to prove value. Proof of purchase only goes so far to indicate the value, and most insurers will not let the price you paid determine the value. The idea is to give a realistic value, or cost of replacing the item.

Insurance companies may want you to prove value in the case of a claim. An up-to-date appraisal helps verify ownership and value so you can settle your claim.

The value of your jewelry may have gone up in the last few years. Don’t hesitate to contact us for a consultation to update your appraisal so it reflects the current value.

Start An Appraisal

Jewelry Appraisal for Inherited and Heirloom Jewelry

One of the truly magical features of fine jewelry is its ability to stand the test of time. For many, the purchase of a significant piece of jewelry marks a significant chapter in their lives and the hope that one day the jewelry will be passed down and enjoyed by future generations.

With its incredible durability, jewelry can pass down several generations and, in this time, paperwork and documents of provenance may end up getting lost. This is where a skilled appraiser can help.

If you have inherited a piece of jewelry, an appraisal will outline the details of the jewelry. It can identify the gemstones and metals used and ultimately give you a value for the piece. Even if you do not wish to sell the item right away (or at all) an appraisal document is a great way to identify the jewelry, and once more re-establish a paper trail for the precious, loved item.

Sometimes an individual may choose to have their jewelry appraised before they pass it on to family, so that they know the exact properties and value of the piece.

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Jewelry Appraisal VS Diamond Certificate

A jewelry or diamond appraisal should not be confused with diamond certificates or diamond grading. A diamond certificate is issued by a gem lab. It is completed by expert gemologists and involves a series of rigorous testing techniques. The goal is to issue the diamond with a report that accurately outlines the precise details of the diamond – the lab does not suggest a given value for the diamond.

If you are looking to get an item of jewelry appraised that includes a certified diamond, having the diamond report to hand is helpful.
Learn more about GIA diamond certification.

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Diamond Ring Appraisals

Engagement or diamond ring appraisals are one of the most important (and popular) types of jewelry appraisal. The age bracket of individuals purchasing an engagement ring, plus the financial and emotional significance of an engagement ring sees most customers looking to protect their investment and ensure they have paid a fair price.

As such a special item of jewelry, we understand the importance of a diamond ring appraisal, whether it be to mark an engagement or another special milestone. Our friendly team is ready to guide you through this process.

Browse Engagement Rings

Jewelry Appraisal Online: Should I Get One?

There are some websites which offer a jewelry appraisal online, meaning they will not see the jewelry ‘in the flesh’. Even with good photographs and a detailed description of the jewelry, an accurate appraisal needs an expert eye. The jewelry should be examined under a jewelers’ loupe, noting hallmarks and diamond quality.

You can certainly start an enquiry for a jewelry appraisal online, but ultimately a skilled appraiser needs to see the jewelry to give an accurate idea of the value.

How Much Does a Jewelry Appraisal Cost?

The average cost of a jewelry appraisal is between $50 to $175. Some appraisers will charge a rate based on the percentage of the jewelry’s value.

When it comes to assessing the cost of an appraisal, the most important factor is the skill and experience of the person or persons appraising it. A very cheap jewelry appraisal may seem like a good deal, though that may be an indicator of an inexperienced or less scrutinous appraisal.

Washington Diamond Jewelry Appraisal

Our highly-skilled and qualified appraisers are ready to help you through the jewelry appraisal process.
A reliable appraisal document can prove indispensable for jewelry owners.

Protect your investment with Washington Diamond.

Washington Diamond Falls Church, VA Start An Appraisal

Washington Diamond
1245 W Broad St, Falls Church, VA 22046
(703) 536-3600

Washington Diamond
Falls Church
1245 W Broad St
Falls Church, VA 22046
(703) 536-3600
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