Spectroscope image over diamond image for Arkansas Jewelry Studio Gemological services

Appraisal Reports & Gemological Services

There are no state or federal legal requirements regarding who can perform as a personal property appraiser. More and more insurance companies require credible appraisal reports written by qualified personal property appraisers.

There are two distinct and important qualifications.

1. The appraiser should be a credentialed Gemologist and be very knowledgable in the manufacturing, repair, restoration and design processes used in fine jewelry.

2. The appraiser should have credentials regarding training in personal property valuation at various market levels along with training on methodology and researching values for contemporary and period pieces.
Would you simply want someone good at math or a CPA to compile your important financial reports? So why treat your valuable jewelry any less?

We offer a variety of appraisal reports depending on your intended use. You may be seeking insurance coverage, dividing an estate, equitable distribution, collateral appraisal reports, etc., let's discuss your specific need.

Gemological Reports are used for items when a value isn't the priority. You may want to confirm something you purchased, inherited, or want to sell and represent it properly.

Your Appraisal Report will be written by a GIA Graduate Gemologist, who is also a Certified Member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers. Your report will be written to NAJA and USPAP Rules & Standards, meeting professional personal property appraisal industry standards.

Points to Remember

1. Always ask for your appraiser's credentials.

2. Being a gemologist alone does not qualify one to be an appraiser.

3. Personal property appraisers are NOT subject to state or federal law regarding qualifications or performance standards as real-estate appraisers are therefore, anyone can call themself an appraiser of personal property, this includes jewelry.

4. Choose an appraiser with gemological credentials AND appraisal credentials who follow USPAP Rules & Standards for personal property appraising.

Arkansas Jewelry Studio Gemologist inspecting ring under microscope

Evaluation of an item of jewelry

Evaluation begins with an overall assessment of items' condition and metal testing. The craftsmanship, construction methods, assembly and finishing are observed and rated.

High power magnification assists in observing the internal characteristics of a gemstone. They can vary from species to species. Surface features are examined noting blemishes. Gemstone identification is next.

Short wave and Long wave observation of diamond

Gemology, the science

Most professional gemologists will have the following Instruments. High-power binocular microscope, Polariscope, Refractometer, Spectroscopes, specific gravity scales, also a variety of filters and techniques used to observe how light acts within material. These days one of the important items are Lab-Grown diamond screening devices. We use three, each used to confirm the other. The data is collected and measured against known sources of information to help 'ID' the species. Once ID'd the stones will be graded. Gemologists know It is unwise to make a "sight-call" without following the data.

The Appraisal Foundation, commissioned by Congress 1987

An appraisal by definition

An appraisal is a professionally researched assessment of a jewelry item that resolves to a value or range of value conclusion. Once the item is evaluated and the gemological process is completed the next step is to answer ..." what is the intended use/purpose of the report?" and " what is the most common market where this item is traded, bought or sold". The valuation research begins here and IF there is Proof of Provenance there may be more than what meets the eye.

Click for more information from the Appraisal Foundation

Graduate Gemologist & Certified Appraiser at the Arkansas Jewelry Studio

Eddie Havens, GIA G.G., CM (NAJA)

GIA Graduate Gemologist, Certified Appraiser, Custom Jeweler.

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601-506-3016