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Ask An Appraiser - Frequently Asked Questions
What do you charge for an
appraisal?
How often do I need my jewelry appraised?
Are you a "Certified" Appraiser?
How long have you been appraising jewelry?
Do you buy or sell jewelry?
May I wait and watch my items
being appraised?
I need an update on my appraisal(s) for my insurance
policy, do you do this?
Do you appraise other items of personal property other
than jewelry, watches and silver flatware?
A family member has passed away and I need an appraisal
for estate tax purposes, do you do this?
What questions should I ask before hiring a jewelry
appraiser?
Why do I need an appraisal?
What do
you charge for an appraisal?
Fees are charged by the hour.
How
often do I need my jewelry appraised?
Most insurance companies recommend updating every two
(2)- three (3) years.
Are you a
"Certified" Appraiser?
Yes! Debňrah Ann Villepigue is a Certified Senior Member of the
National Association of Jewelry Appraisers. A Certified
Senior Member is designated when an appraiser has
completed all the necessary gemological and appraisal
training, has a minimum five (5) years experience, and
has passed a closed book four (4) hour examination on
appraisal theory, ethics and methodology in addition to
a five (5) hour practical examination. Character
references and other pertinent information is also
required.
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How
long have you been appraising jewelry?
Debňrah Ann Villepigue, one of the Industry's foremost
and credible jewelry appraisers, has been professionally
crafting her art since 1987. Her business, "The Jewelry
Appraiser, Inc.," of Manhasset, NY, offers a plethora of
comprehensive appraisal and consultation services.
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Do you buy or sell
jewelry?
No. By not buying or selling, you receive a totally
unbiased opinion of value. If you request selling
information at the time of the appraisal, we will assist
you and refer you to a potential buyer or other avenue(s)
for liquidation.
May I wait and watch my items being appraised?
Items may also be dropped off, mailed
or in the convenience of your own residence, office or
banking facility.
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I need an update on my appraisal(s) for my insurance
policy, do you do this?
Yes. If the appraisals are from The Jewelry
Appraiser, I will re-inspect your items, noting any
changes that may have occurred, such as mounting
alterations or damage, and update any new and pertinent
information. The fee is by the hour. Normally, less time
is required due to the fact most information is already
in our system. If your appraisal(s) were done by another
company or individual, it is company policy that all
items be inspected and evaluated according to the
standards used by The Jewelry
Appraiser. It is
found that many previous appraisals (one pagers in
particular) by others lack important information, such
as, description of gemstones/diamonds, description of
mounting, gold marks, manufacturer marks, diamond
plotting diagrams and PHOTOGRAPHS.
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Do you appraise other items of personal property other
than jewelry, watches and silver flatware?
Items that are out of my expertise will not be appraised
by myself. I will consult other appraisers who have
knowledge and expertise in those types of personal
property. No appraiser should claim to be an expert in
everything.
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A family member has passed away and I need an appraisal
for estate tax purposes, do you do this?
Yes, we perform numerous types of appraisals. They type
of appraisal you need is determined by your intended
use. Each appraisal states an intended use with its
purpose and function. An estate appraisal is different
than an insurance appraisal.
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What questions should I ask before hiring a jewelry
appraiser?
Before you take your jewelry to a Jeweler, ask the
following questions first:
• Are you a Graduate Gemologist of the GIA or the
Gemological Association of Great Britain?
• When did you graduate?
• How long have you been in the jewelry industry? (Should have at least ten years of experience
in the field).
• Are you also certified as an appraiser by an appraisal organization like the American Society of Appraisers or the Nation
Association of Jewelry Appraisers.
(There’s no such thing as a “GIA Certified Appraiser.
There’s also no such thing as a
“licensed appraiser” for
personal property.)
• How long have you been in practice?
• Are your appraisals hand written or computer generated?
• Do you provide color photos of items?
• Have you had your color vision tested by an eye doctor recently?
Gemology and appraising are not the same thing! Gemologists are not necessarily qualified appraisers, and require significant training, certification, and experience to achieve competency in jewelry appraising. A gemologist may be able to identify and even grade a diamond, but may not know how to determine its value.
The bottom line: If you want to buy a piece of jewelry, see a jeweler. If you need a professional appraisal, hire an independent jewelry appraiser.
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Why do I need an appraisal?
The outcome of a professional jewelry appraisal is to describe your jewelry in enough detail to enable the full replacement of your jewelry in case of its loss. Typically, it includes a 20-point inspection.
Whether you are buying a new piece of jewelry, selling part of your collection, or you received a gift or inheritance of jewelry, determining exactly what you hold in your hand, and its actual worth, is very important. A professional jewelry appraisal, conducted by an accredited gemologist who is also certified as a gems and jewelry appraiser, provides the information you need.
An Appraisal Report is a package of information that includes:
Who performed the appraisal of your jewelry
When the appraisal took place
The qualifications and accreditations of the appraisers
The purpose or intent of the appraisal
What was done during the appraisal
Which standards were observed
Which criteria went into the evaluation
How the actual value of the jewelry determined
The final value of the jewelry as of the date of the appraisal
A Professional Jewelry Appraisal is your authoritative passport to peace of mind!
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