How Much Should You Expect to Pay for a Jewelry Appraisal?

Unlike a car or a home, figuring out jewelry value cannot get done accurately with online guides. Determining the value of a piece of jewelry takes expertise and finesse. The only accepted valuations are those completed by trained, expert jewelers. 

Many people want to know how to get real value for jewelry along with actual cost of the appraisal. Many customers visit our jewelry stores in New Jersey to work with our expert jewelers and determine a fair value for their cherished pieces.

Here's what you need to know about how much jewelry appraisals can cost.

Insurance Appraisals

The most common type of jewelry appraisal is an insurance appraisal. This appraisal determines the replacement value of jewelry in case items are lost, stolen, or destroyed. Some jewelry purchases include appraisal in the item's purchase price. Other jewelry stores require appraisals as separate purchases.

At Braunschweiger Jewelers, we include an insurance appraisal upon request with the purchase. This practice is common in the jewelry industry because sometimes things get misplaced. It's worth knowing jewelry's value when leaving the store.

 If you haven’t purchased from either of our jewelry stores, you can bring it to us for appraisal. Our jewelry appraisals start at $125 for one piece but may cost more depending on complexity.

Most people want a handful of items appraised at once. We charge $125 for the first item and $65 for each additional piece. Therefore, if a dozen pieces of jewelry require an appraisal, the costs exceed $800.

Jewelry appraisal costs aren't static. Paperwork, such as a GIA certificate for a diamond or a previous appraisal from another gemologist, could lower the price. Since statistics are already delineated by another qualified gemologist, the documents just require confirmation by our in-house experts.

It's important to remember the cost of diamonds and gold fluctuates. Insurance companies request up-to-date appraisals every 3 to 5 years. If requiring an updated appraisal, go to the store where the item was originally appraised. That store most likely charges a lower price because they keep records of appraisals. For example, Braunschweiger charges $65 a page for any appraisal on file. Item descriptions rarely change—and gemologists easily calculate the price of an item thanks to the statistics being on file. 

To learn more about getting your jewelry insured, check out our article, How do I insure my jewelry?

Legal Asset Appraisals

Another common type of appraisal is one used to settle an estate or divorce. This type of appraisal reflects the fair market value of the jewelry. This appraisal puts a value on assets divided in an estate or for tax purposes. They are most common after a loved one passes away, when evaluating the estate for various tax reasons, or if a married couple needs to divide their jewelry assets.

Because the appraisal process is the same as an insurance appraisal, the costs are the same as if done for insurance purposes. The difference is the appraisal price for each item. Because this is not a replacement value on a piece of jewelry, the goal is determining its worth as an asset, which is usually a much lower value.

Free Jewelry Appraisals

Some jewelry appraisals are free. These two instances are a verbal jewelry appraisal or an offer to buy jewelry.

Verbal Appraisals

Customers often walk into a jewelry store for a free-of-charge verbal appraisal. The reasons for verbal appraisals are confirming the bought jewelry is worth the price or when finding pieces and unsure of their value. If you are concerned about a jewelers is trustworthy, it's important to get a verbal appraisal to ensure the pieces and gemstones are authentic. However, it's important to note that complex items may not easily receive verbal appraisals. There's much work to do to ensure authenticity, and if the appraiser's expertise assesses a piece, they must be compensated for their time. 

Offers to Buy 

Offers are not technically appraisals, but they are valuations. An offer to buy is when a jeweler looks at a piece of jewelry, weighs it, and makes an offer. Should the offer gain acceptance, cash or checks are the usual forms of payment. If rejecting the offer, walk out of the shop with the jewelry. Many people consider offers to be a form of an appraisal since someone is evaluating and putting a price on jewelry.

Final Word on Appraisal Costs

Costs add up quickly when appraising multiple items. Get your items appraised at the time of purchase and keep the documentation. This action keeps jewelry appraisal costs low if requiring updated appraisals.

To learn more about jewelry insurance or get jewelry appraised, visit either of our New Jersey jewelry store locations in Morristown or New Providence and talk to our expert jewelers.

Talk to someone directly about appraisals by contacting us online at info@braunschweiger.com or filling out our contact form. We’ll answer questions quickly, accurately, and responsibly.