It’s easy to get lost in the sparkle and joy of your jewelry – be it old or new. But there’s more to jewelry than the pleasure you find in admiring it, and the sentiment you attach to it. Your jewelry might just be, and quite often is, the most valuable thing you own. Which is why it’s important to know exactly what its value is by getting a professionally done jewelry appraisal.
At Keezing Kreations we offer professional jewelry appraisals to ensure that you know exactly what sort of value adorns your fingers, neck, ears and arms!
What is a Jewelry Appraisal?
A jewelry appraisal (also known as a jewelry valuation) is, in its simplest form, a document that states how much a particular piece of jewelry is worth.
To make this document worth something, however, your jewelry appraisal should be done by a high-end jeweler or a proper jewelry appraiser, and the document in question should describe, in some detail, the item of jewelry being valued and the associated value that the item should be insured for.
A professional jewelry appraisal will look at and describe the jewelry item being valued, stating things like:
- estimated diamond weight,
- approximate color and clarity of the diamond (this is ordinarily given as a range, H-J color, SI1/SI2 clarity for example.),
- the weight and type of metal the jewelry is made from,
- condition of the piece,
- other gemstones’ quality and characteristics,
- settings, etc.
These are just some of the criteria used in an appraisal, and the examination can get very detailed.
After a close inspection of your jewelry, your jewelry appraiser will give a final estimate as to how much the item is worth, putting this value in writing, along with a detailed description of how the appraisal was done.
Why get a Jewelry Appraisal Done by Keezing Kreations?
The primary reason one gets jewelry appraisals done is for insurance purposes. Should your most treasured possessions ever be lost, stolen or damaged, it is important to know that you are fully protected. To be fully protected you need to be insured. To be insured for the proper amount to avoid out-of-pocket payments to replace or repair an item, you need to know the proper value of the item in question.
In addition to insurance-related reasons for getting your jewelry properly valued, there are a few other compelling reasons to get a jewelry appraisal:
- Proof of ownership: should your jewelry ever be stolen and recovered by police, an appraisal will substantiate proof of ownership.
- Selling jewelry for the proper value: an up-to-date appraisal will reflect the current value of your piece, which will help you set an appropriate price should you wish to sell it.
Whatever your reason, it’s important that you get your appraisal done by a qualified source. When done by someone not qualified, the appraisal is worth as little as the paper it’s written on. Choosing a high-end jeweler like Keezing Kreations ensures that your appraisal will be taken seriously by anyone reviewing it for whatever purpose. Moreover, it is worth getting your most precious pieces accurately appraised every three to five years so that your appraisal document reflects current market value and ensures proper compensation if an event does occur.
At Keezing Kreations, our jewelry appraisal service is extensive and professional, and is accepted by all insurance companies.
How Does a Keezing Kreations Jewelry Appraisal Work?
It’s quite simple really: to get your jewelry appraised at Keezing Kreations, just make an appointment, including some details of the items to be appraised in the details section, so that we may set aside the proper time for your evaluation. Here are answers to more of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to jewelry appraisals:
WHAT MAKES KEEZING KREATIONS QUALIFIED TO OFFER JEWELRY APPRAISALS?
We design, create and manufacture fine jewelry daily, and have been doing so for more than 40 years. We know and understand everything – the hours, labor and love – that goes into the creation and manufacture of the items being appraised; we know how much stones and metals cost; we know how to define the quality of said stones and metals. All of which means we are able to evaluate the cost of fine jewelry by fully breaking down the value of the item in question by materials, metals and gemstones, and labor involved to give a full and fair value.
DO I HAVE TO LEAVE MY JEWELRY WITH YOU FOR THE APPRAISAL?
No, we will evaluate all your jewelry items during your scheduled appointment in your presence. When the evaluation is complete you’ll take your items home with you. Once we determine the value and complete the appraisal document, a formal notice will be sent to your home address by mail.
HOW LONG IS THE APPRAISAL PROCESS?
It depends on how many items you are having appraised. An appraisal will usually take up to one hour to complete, depending on the complexity of the item, and the required information to be gathered by our appraiser for your insurer’s purposes. If your item is a complicated piece, or you have an assortment of items to appraise, it can take longer. We may also need to clean your jewelry first before a proper appraisal can be completed, in which case we might come to an arrangement whereby you leave your items in our care for a day or so.
WHAT DO JEWELRY APPRAISALS COST?
Our current appraisal fee usually starts at $75 to $100 per initial item, and $50 for item after that. This fee can vary, however, depending on how detailed the jewelry items being appraised are.
SHOULD I GET MY JEWELRY APPRAISED?
Jewelry appraisals can be of great help, in a number of circumstances, so it is always a good idea to have one. This is especially true if your jewelry is expensive. Plus, if you want to insure your jewelry, an appraisal is non-negotiable; no insurers will work with you without one.
Contact Keezing Kreations today to talk about getting your jewelry appraised by a team that knows just how much value – both monetary and sentimental – your jewelry holds. Our appraisal services are expert, thoughtful, and designed to ensure that you know exactly what treasures lurk within your jewelry box.
Phone: 617-650-9934
