Appraisals
Gem and jewelry appraisals include the identification of the
item, its quality, and its value given a specific purpose. There
are number of situations for which appraisals are appropriate,
and more in which they are not. Please see my Essential Info section for details. If
you are ready, please contact me to discuss your appraisal.
If you are interested only in properly identifying your items, I
also provide Gem Identification.
Gem Identification
While an appraisal, by definition, includes both the identification of items and their value given a specific purpose, identification only rigorously determines an item's identity and quality. Please contact me to discuss the identification service you need.
Of course, if you are interested in both the identity and the value of your item, I provide comprehensive appraisal services.
Services in Detail
For more detail on the services I offer, read the section that best corresponds to you:
For Private
Individuals
For Legal
Professionals
For Insurance
Professionals
For Personal
Property Appraisers
For Jewelry
Professionals
For Non-Profits
For Private Individuals
- Insurance Replacement: This type of appraisal is used to obtain insurance coverage on a new piece of jewelry, whether a new purchase or an item received as a gift or from an estate, that you wish to insure. The purpose of this appraisal is to let the insurance company know the approximate retail replacement value of the item, in case of loss, theft and sometimes irreparable damage, depending on your policy.
- Estate Appraisals: This type of appraisal is used to establish the IRS tax liability of jewelry in the estate of a deceased person for which you are the personal representative. The attorney handling probate will advise you if this is necessary. This same type of appraisal is used for equitable distribution of property.
- Customs Reports: These are not true appraisals, but they do document your jewelry. The purpose of these reports is to eliminate any questions from US Customs as to whether or not you owned the items before you left the country. These can be very handy if you're going to be abroad for quite a while so you don't have to pay import duty of your own jewelry.
- Donation Reports: For non cash charitable donations in excess of $5,0000, the IRS requires that the correct forms be filled out and attached to your federal income tax return along with my donation appraisal report. I can help you fill out the form as well as prepare an accurate appraisal of your jewelry.
- Damage Reports: Damage reports are used to document damage to a gemstone or the mounting. They are occasionally requested by some insurance companies in response to a damage claim. We are able to use microphotography to document the damage. If requested, I can provide an estimate of the change in value due to the damage through re-cutting the stone to a smaller size.
- Gem Identification: I can answer any questions you may have on any finished gemstone. If you purchased something and think they shipped you something else, I can tell you. If you received a piece of jewelry or loose gemstone, I can tell you what you have.
- Third Party Escrow: If you are buying something on the internet and want the ability to view it before paying for it, I can provide an independent third party escrow service for you and the seller. If you desire an appraisal or gem identification I can provide this at the same time.
For Legal Professionals
- Estate Appraisals: I can provide you with the documentation required to meet IRS guidelines in the resolution of a decedents' estate, or to determine equitable distribution based on values. If you are assisting in the establishment of values for loan collateral that involves loose gemstones or jewelry, I can help you determine the values of the property.
- Prenuptial/Divorce Appraisals: These can be used to document the value and identification of jewelry items owned by either or both parties in a prenuptial agreement, or to document current value of all jewelry held by one or both parties in dissolution. Having an independent third party provide this evaluation and valuation tends to take a lot of emotion out of the situation.
- Litigation Support: If your client disagrees with the appraisal work performed by another appraiser, I can provide an independent evaluation and valuation of the jewelry in question. Additionally, I can provide you with a professional consultation regarding the accuracy and veracity of the opposing report. Expert testimony in deposition and/or court is available.
- Liquidation Reports: These are normally used during bankruptcy or liquidation of all business assets. I can go to the location of the jewelry, be it in a bank vault, individual’s home, or place of business to conduct my work. Additionally, if necessary, I can conduct my examination in your office or in the office of opposing counsel. I will need to know the time limitations for property disposal.
- Collateral Appraisals: Collateral appraisals are used when gems and/or jewelry is to be used in place of cash in a transaction. I will need to know the time limitation for property disposal.
- Donation Reports: These are currently required by the IRS only if the value of the donation(s) exceed $5,000. These reports will allow your client to claim the qualifying tax deduction with the IRS. I will also prepare the IRS form required to be submitted along with the Donation appraisal report.
For Insurance Professionals
- Insurance Replacement: Your clients will be provided with timely, accurate information for scheduled or unscheduled jewelry. Refer your clients to a professional that you can trust to answer the unasked questions.
- Damage Reports: Damage reports are used to document damage to a gemstone or the mounting. They are occasionally requested by some insurance companies in response to a damage claim. If requested I can provide an estimate of the change in value due to the damage through re-cutting the stone to a smaller size.
- Casualty Loss: Casualty loss reports are utilized to substantiate the loss of an item to claim a tax loss with the IRS. I will meet with your client to review any information that they may have regarding their property.
- Hypothetical Appraisal: These are appraisals performed after the item has been stolen or lost. It normally requires that a previous appraisal or bill of sale be provided. This previous paperwork can then be used as the basis for the Hypothetical Appraisal. If no paperwork exists, then an in-depth conversation with the owner and any photographs of the item can be used, but the result will not be as accurate.
- Litigation Support: Employing me as a consultant to resolve issues of value, quality, size, etc. If at the time of loss there is a difference of opinion regarding the item(s) lost/stolen, I can, as an independent third party, help resolve the differences. I am able to support my reports and analyses as an expert through arbitration as well as deposition and court appearances.
For Personal Property Appraisers
- Estate Appraisals: I can help meet the needs of your clients in resolving estate valuation. I am fully aware of the IRS requirements. Why risk appraising outside of your area of expertise?
- Fair Market Appraisals: Whether your clients a working through a dissolution of property, bankruptcy proceedings or prenuptial agreements, I have the knowledge and experience to assign the proper purpose and function to my reports as well as the ability to research the correct market.
- Liquidation Appraisals: My equipment is portable and I have the flexibility to travel wherever necessary. I can provide more than one appraiser to speed up the work assignment in a timely and accurate manner. I will need to know the time limitation for property disposal.
- Litigation Support: I can help resolve any item of contention in a current or past assignment. Please remember that as an independent gemological laboratory, my results may or may not support your conclusion.
For Jewelry Professionals
- Inventory Analysis: I can help you more fully understand what you have in inventory, either throughout the entire store or only in certain departments.
- Insurance Replacement Appraisals: I can provide your customers with the independent appraisal they need to obtain insurance on their jewelry purchases. You have the peace of mind that when you refer you customers to us that they will come back to you for future purchases because they haven’t had to go to another jewelry store to obtain an appraisal that may or may not be accurate.
- Litigation Support: Problem resolution is best handled out of court. Whether a misunderstanding has occurred between your business and a client or between you and a vendor, I can help. Remember, as an independent gemological laboratory, I may or may not support your position.
- Education: I am always happy to provide an educational offering on any appraisal or gemological subject. I provide these at no charge, as I feel that knowledge that is not shared is knowledge that is lost. Please do let us know if there is anything we can do to help educate your staff.
For Non-Profits
- Donation Appraisals: These are currently required by the IRS only if the value of the donation(s) exceed $5000.00. These reports will allow your donor to claim the qualifying tax deduction with the IRS. I will also prepare the IRS form required to be submitted along with the Donation appraisal report.
- Lectures/Programs: I have always enjoyed speaking to large and small groups on any gemological, jewelry ownership or appraisal topic. I know how confusing the jewelry world may seem and would like your group to be able to understand this fascinating and ever-changing area.