Who's A Jewelry Appraiser?

An appraiser is an expert on a chosen type of property.  This means that a jewelry appraiser needs to be able to evaluate jewelry in terms of quality, materials and age as well as being able to estimate a monetary value.  The appraiser must appraise in an ethical and unbiased manner.  Failure as an expert and failure in performing ethically will lead to legal trouble.  So, who is a jewelry appraiser?

• Use the following checklist to see who qualifies:
• The jewelry appraiser can accurately identify gems.
• The jewelry appraiser can judge the quality of gems.
• The jewelry appraiser has a thorough knowledge of metals, construction methods and bench techniques.
• The jewelry appraiser is a jewelry expert.
• The jewelry appraiser is a market analyst.
• The jewelry appraiser is ethical.
• The jewelry appraiser is liable for what they write in an appraisal.

So, who is an appraiser?  An appraiser is a person with a solid base of practical jewelry experience.  An appraiser has gemological and metals training as well as formal valuation training.  Formal training is what lends the appraiser credibility when questioned or disputed.  Preferably the appraiser is not in the business of buying and selling jewelry.  If the appraiser is affiliated with a retail store, he or she is ethical and truthful and never uses an Insurance Documentation Report to close sales or gain sales from competitors.

For further information about jewelry appraisals please refer to the American Society of Appraisers at 1-800-ASA-VALU or email asainfo@appraisers.org.