As a valued member of the National Associated of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA), Jordan is passionate about making sure your jewelry is secured. Did you know that most insurance companies require an updated appraisal every 5 years? A proper jewelry appraisal can help protect your interests by documenting detail and replacement value of the piece appraised.

The most common reason for appraising your jewelry is to obtain insurance coverage. There are two important elements of an appraisal for insurance: value and description. The value on an appraisal sets only the upper limit of insurance coverage while determining the premium you pay. An appraisal with an over-inflated value will cause you to pay a higher premium than is necessary but will typically not result in a higher “cash-out” in the event of loss. Most insurance companies consider the description of the jewelry when replacing an item that was lost or damaged. A vague description allows the insurance company greater liberty in their choice of a replacement.

Prior to the appraisal appointment it is helpful to collect any documentation one might have including: an inventory of the pieces you are bringing in, sales receipts, warranties, gemstone certifications, old insurance summaries/appraisals and any other documentation connected to the pieces you would like to have appraised.

Oftentimes estate pieces are in desperate need of cleaning and sometimes repairs. An appraiser is required to point out any necessary repairs on the documentation they provide. Therefore, it is important to follow any suggested repairs that may flag insurance companies in the unlikely event that a claim is made.

Please expect turnaround time to be anywhere for two days to two weeks, depending on complexity of the pieces being appraised and the gemologist’s workload. Alaska Gem Lab will provide a printed copy of the completed appraisal report with exceptional colored photographs and a digital report copy in pdf format if desired. 3D videos of the jewelry may also be requested as can additional printed copies of the appraisal report.

After the loss of a loved one an estate assessment can ease the probate process but often full appraisals are not necessary for each item. Estate assessments or appraisals may be prepared to meet specific requirements. For distribution of estate among heirs, the level of detail and reporting will vary with the needs of the family. In some cases an appraisal may be required to document the jewelry when establishing or settling a trust, or to insure jewelry contained in a trust.

Please contact us to schedule or for a fee estimate.