Do I need an appointment ?
Yes. Appointments are available during the day and evening hours.
Do I have to leave my jewelry ?
NO ! In fact, if you prefer, I will conduct the appraisal at your office or in your home, where it’s the most private and convenient for you.
How is that possible ?
It’s possible because I have a mobile laboratory and I conduct all the gemological testing right in the comfort of your private setting.
Yes…..I make house calls !
But what if I want to liquidate some jewelry assets ?
Not a problem. I will help you liquidate them by acting as your broker. But I can’t appraise your assets and be your broker at the same time. That creates a conflict of interest for me. I will either appraise an item or broker an item.
As an independent jewelry appraiser, I am not in the business of buying and selling product.
That means I won’t come in with a low ball appraisal just to offer you slightly more than the appraisal to take the jewelry off your hands.
OK, so what do I actually get for an appraisal ?
Your appraisal is a comprehensive document that is written to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).
The appraisal lists all pieces being appraised, separately, assigning a value for each piece individually.
With each item there is a detailed description of manufacturing method, trademarks, hallmarks, metal type, karatage, weight, and color. Diamonds and gemstones are part of the appraisal. Larger stones will include a plot diagram of identifying characteristics.
All items are photographed digitally and printed on the appraisal. All appraisals are signed. You will get two (2) copies of the appraisal.
What does an appraisal cost ?
I work on an hourly fee structure. The fee is $100 per hour if you come to my office or $125 per hour if I go to your office or home. The first thing I do is review your items and tell you how long the assignment will take and how much the total assignment fee will be. That way there is no guess work. That will be put in writing and signed by both of us before the assignment begins.
(FYI: YOU should NEVER agree to an appraisal fee based on the item's resulting value, a percentage of resulting value, or a high stated quote just because the item is expensive. Get out of there fast. Find someone with an hourly rate or a per item rate so that you know what your financial investment is up front.)
