An appraisal is a professional opinion of the authenticity, quality, design and approximate value of a piece of property. An appraisal must be typewritten in concise, objective and internationally recognised terminology, accompanied with a photo.
Most people require appraisals for obtaining insurance but other reasons may include - for division of property upon death or divorce, as proof of ownership when travelling, to use as collateral or for resale.
There is no licensing body which requires jewellery appraisers to attain a minimum level of education/experience before practising. Until legislation is passed to protect the public from those who are unqualified, the burden is on consumers to investigate a company's reputation and question its appraiser's competency. Our Appraiser(s) have a minimum of 25 years experience and are G.I.A. certified.
Fees vary among qualified appraisers. Professional level fees usually indicate a high degree of education and experience as well as state of the art lab facilities. Since no one professional can be an expert on everything, occasionally your appraiser may consult with others who specialize in a particular field. Be prepared to allow extra time and cost. See our Price list to give you a guide to our pricing. It is always best for us to see the piece first to give you an accurate price quote.