Appraisal

Engagement Ring Appraisal : A Complete Guide

engagement ring appraisal

Most brides-to-be look at their engagement ring as one of the most precious and valuable thing they own. And this is not only because a diamond or more (you, lucky girl!) adorn their engagement ring, but because the ring is enriched with sentimental value, dreams, hopes and expectations.

Busy with planning their engagement party, wedding, finding the perfect dress and the right shoes to match the dress, many brides forget to seek their engagement ring appraisal. Yes, we all know that there’s no time now for practical thoughts, and you may even feel a little weird about trying to find the real value of your engagement ring, but trust us: there’s no better time like the present.

You need to search for your diamond ring appraisal because if you were to lose it or something would happen to it, you will regret deeply not doing your ring appraisal sooner. No one will take into account the sentimental value of your ring (although in a perfect world they should), so you need to have a document that proves your engagement ring appraisal.

What Is an Engagement Ring Appraisal?

First of all, you need to know that an appraisal is a piece of paper that attests the facts about your engagement ring and its value. It’s important to keep in mind that a diamond ring appraisal is not the same thing with the diamond grading report you usually receive from your jeweler. The report will tell the buyers everything they need to know about their diamond features. Ring appraisals attest the value of the entire jewelry, taking into consideration more than just the diamond (features like other stones, the metal etc.).

Ring appraisals and any other jewelry appraisals, as a matter of fact, must be performed exclusively by certified and accredited appraisers. This means that you need to find an appraiser that has an impressive reputation and great reviews, but most important, an appraiser who has a graduate degree in gemology and is member of a national appraisal society. For example, for a diamond ring appraisal NYC, you need to work with an appraisal company such as the New York Accredited Gemological Institute.

Why Should I Get One?

There are many reasons for which you should consider getting an engagement ring appraisal, besides finding out how much your fiancée has spent for your beautiful ring. This also is a good idea for those who buy the engagement ring and want to think of everything beforehand. Here are the main reasons you should get an appraisal of your ring:

Assesses the real value of your engagement ring – you really need to know this because it will help you insure your ring properly; this is important especially for antique or vintage rings.

Insures your ring for a correct amount of money - this would be the first reason why someone might want to get a diamond engagement ring appraisal; if anything where to happen to your ring (it gets lost, stolen, damaged etc.), the insurance (based on the appraisal) will save you from any regrets.

Provides proof to use in case your ring is stolen and recovered – the appraisal will prove that the ring the police found is yours.

Adds a rider (extension) to cover your ring – this is useful in case you have homeowners’ or renters’ insurance; the rider will cover your ring specifically based on your ring appraisal.

Helps with selling your ring – in case you want to sell your engagement ring, a diamond engagement ring appraisal is a must.

Helps you with the customs process – in case you want to travel in another country, the appraisal will come in handy.

When Do I Need One?

We recommend getting ring appraisals as soon as you buy or receive them. It’s important to have their value assessed at once, so you can benefit from insurance protection and all the other benefits that come with diamond ring appraisals.

We don’t suggest going to a diamond ring appraisal NYC as soon as your fiancée ends his proposal, but you can be sure that going next day to a certified appraiser is a move that can be considered “politically correct”. With so much wedding preparation coming your way and so many opportunities to lose your ring (if not worst) because of all the frenzy, you don’t want to take any chances.

Please note! If the engagement ring is worth less than $500 (auch!), you don’t need a ring appraisal.

How Does It Work?

Getting diamond ring appraisals is quite easy. The most important part is to trust your appraisal in the hands of a certified, accredited, reputable appraiser. Appraisers need to be members of national appraisal societies recognized by the Gemological Institute of America.

The appraisal process implies for the assessment to be done in front of you to make sure that your stone is not switched and the appraisal is accurate. Although you might think it’s a good thing to have the value of your ring inflated, it’s not. You could end up losing money on long term (your insurance company may buy another ring if your own it’s stolen and, even if you insured it for $3000, they will pay the actual price for it).

You should ask to see and make yourself familiar with a plot diagram, which usually includes details such the measurements of the stone and internal features. You could also try to agree on a value before you actually give the ring for appraisal (to have an insurance while the ring is in the hands of the appraiser). When you return to pick your ring, don’t forget to check and see if the stone matches the details on the diagram.

How Much Does It Cost?

As expected, this service doesn’t come free. The ring appraisal cost differs depending on the expertise of the appraiser, the time that he or she is going to dedicate to the process and also the complexity of their work. A diamond engagement ring appraisal may cost from $50 to $150 per hour.

It’s a good idea to ask about the minimum fee the appraiser takes for this type of service. However, we recommend stay away if the ring appraisal cost is too low considering the market, or if the fee is based on the percentage of your ring’s appraisal value. Reputable appraisers usually charge a flat rate, by the piece or by the hour.

Be Careful of Engagement Ring Appraisal and Insurance

It’s important to know that engagement ring appraisal and engagement ring insurance are two different things. Some appraisal agents may also offer insurance policies, but it is recommended to choose to insure your ring to an independent insurer. There’s no chance of bias there, so you will pay a proper amount of money for the insurance. An independent insurer will also guarantee you the best coverage for your ring.

There are different types of insurance policies such as:

Replacement policy – in case your ring will be lost, damaged or stolen, the insurance company guarantees a payment that will allow you to buy an identical ring (considering the current market values).

Actual cash value policy – the most common ring insurance option, this policy allows for your ring to be replaced at its current market value but minus any depreciation that might have occurred.

Valued-at policy – it allows you to receive the actual insurance amount, even if your ring has been appraised at a higher value than it is actually worth (such as an extra amount for the sentimental value).

How to Value Your Engagement Ring

Besides treasuring it for its immense sentimental value, you need to make sure you value your engagement ring according to official standards. If the ring has a diamond center stone, you will most certainly receive a diamond certificate or grading report from the jeweler.

For diamond ring appraisal NYC you should find an independent gemological laboratory such as New York Accredited Gemological Institute that claims that it founded the 4C criteria for diamond appraisal. 4C stands for color, cut, clarity and carat weight (size). These four characteristics will help the appraiser determine the value of your diamond.

Important! Never give any details regarding your ring when you take it to an independent appraiser. The lack of information will help you find out if their appraisal is accurate and if it’s based on their inspection and expertise.

How to Choose Professional Independent Jewelry Appraiser

Carefully! You need to always work with a certified, accredited appraisal company that has a team of professional inspectors. Check the company’s reputation and reviews and don’t believe everything they say on their website without doing some research first. The appraisers, although independent, need to have a degree and be a member of a national appraiser society.

Accredited Gemological Institute meets all these requirements and provides flawless engagement ring and other pieces of jewelry appraisal. Their gemologists have an outstanding education and always assess accurately the magical 4C of a diamond by using last generation equipment.

Appraise your engagement ring now at AGI! Find out more about the appraisal process and fees here by contacting us!

 

The Importance Of Appraisals In Diamonds And Gemstones Transactions

The importance of a certified diamond and gemstones appraiser is increasing more and more in today’s changing market environment. Consumers are more educated and sophisticated, while diamonds are more and more expensive. That’s why it’s so important to know the exact value of a diamond and make the best use out of the information provided by an expert gemologist. Now a day, a diamond is not appraised only by clarity,color or weight, because there are plenty of other factors to be taken into consideration:

  • Did the diamond have any temporary or permanent treatments applied?
  • Is the stone a synthetic diamond, a real diamond, a color-altered one, loaded with filler or a plain fake?
  • Is the information stated in the documentation accurate?
  • Is there any damage to the diamond?
  • Is the diamond really cut correctly?

Given those factors and for a buyer’s own safety, it’s recommended to use a third party appraisal service in transactions involving diamonds or other gemstones, as a matter of fact. The only other things people buy without having a “list price” are houses, so it’s obvious diamonds are a big investment for any person. Appraisers are therefore needed to confirm these type of transactions.

Gemology is the science and art of gemstones. Certified gemologists have special training in grading of gems, especially diamonds. The appraisal process involves two important components: the authentication of an item and the assignment of an appropriate value.

Over the years, jewelry stores, pawn shops, auction houses or other types of businesses would make appraisals of their own, based on previous experiences and using charts, such as the Rapaport Diamond Report to establish their own prices. Of course, these appraisals are not accurate and the need for independent appraisers was obvious. A fair appraisal is beneficial for both the seller and the buyer, and using the services of an independent appraiser ensures exactly this. Appraisers don’t buy or sell jewelry at all, they are just providing their services, so they don’t have any interest in the outcome of the appraisal. This is something most diamond and gems shoppers found to be useful, as serious sellers allow a period of time from the moment of purchase to return them, time that can be used to get an evaluation from an independent appraiser to confirm the information provided by the seller, or to receive more details.

Depending on a client’s needs, an appraisers is able to provide retail replacement value reports (used to confirm the quality of a gemstone), establish market value and fair market value, sale prices and other types of evaluation, varying from liquidation appraisal, damage reports or collateral appraisal.

AGI New York (Accredited Gemological Institute) offers all the services involved in diamonds and gemstones transactions with the help of state-of-the-art technology. The AGI laboratory is able to deliver customized reports and a wide range of appraisal services. Even more, the AGI gemologists are available for training, through seminars covering topics in the industry from treated gemstones to synthetic ones, to prepare business staff in better selling certified diamonds. The institute’s reputation for meeting client’s timetables is unsurpassed, making it a priority to treat each client with prompt and individual attention.

 

 

Different Types of Diamond Appraisals and How They’re Used

diamond ring

Now days, everyone seems to think that coming across a diamond ring in some old jewelry box means they’re going to earn a fortune after selling it. Often you might read in a newspaper about a woman who found a diamond ring in her attic, or you watch a news report on television about someone who found a diamond ring in an abandoned storage locker and were able to make a consistent profit because that person managed to sell it for a very good price.

What the media doesn’t tell you is how a proper diamond appraisal is really done. In most cases, the value of a diamond can be very different, according to the type of appraisal made. Especially for estate jewelry, there are usually two types of appraisal meant to settle the value of a diamond jewel.

When a diamond is appraised, it’s important to make a difference between the replacement value and the market value (referred to as resell value in some cases). The replacement value means how much a brand new items costs. Therefore, if you have a diamond ring you bought a couple of years ago, the replacement value is equal to a similar diamond ring bought from a shop or a jewelry store. The market value represents the sum of money an owner would receive in the case of a resell. Simply put, you as an owner are not able to receive the same amount of money for  diamond jewelry like a jeweler or a store would, no matter how much you paid for it in the first place.

The resale value is calculated by taking several factors into consideration, such as the condition of the jewelry, market demand, fashion trends and the mark-ups undergone by a specific jewelry piece from a low wholesale price to a high retail price (in fact, the replacement value). Considering all these factors, it’s no wonder the dream of selling a diamond ring for thousands of dollars quickly bursts like a bubble, because often estate jewelry can be sold for a fraction of the original price.

Truth been told, it’s important to specify what you intend to do with a diamond appraisal, because for insurance appraisals, for instance, the replacement value is always used. That’s because insurance companies need to know how much money they have to pay in case of robbery, fire or other accidents that might occur. However, no serious buyer will be interested in your insurance appraisal, so you will need to get a market value appraisal. The confusion of these two values it’s what makes many diamonds owners wonder why their jewelry is not as much worth as they thought in the case of a resale.

Knowing the difference between these two values is equally important as finding the right appraiser. Even if some is a qualified gemologist, they still need to be certified, so be careful who you choose, because an appraisal done by a non-certified gemologist is not as valuable and many buyers or even insurance companies will not consider it. Not only a certification is what makes a gemologist the right person to perform the appraisal. It’s best to find some with experience in the field, someone who’s able to provide an appraisal as detailed and accurate as possible. Don’t forget to communicate with the appraiser of your choice what you intend to use it for, because, as stated above, the replacement value is used for insurance purposes, but it’s not useful if you want to resale diamond jewelry.

If you want to sell your estate jewelry and need to know exactly how much money you could get for diamond jewelry, or if you need to insure your diamonds, schedule an appointment with us and you can be certain you’ll receive the best possible services regarding diamond appraisals.

Photo: Pixabay.com, user: Wounds_and_cracks

The Antique Jewelry Appraisal Guide

antique jewelry

Over the last decades, Americans started to take much more interest in antiques in general and especially in antique jewelry. But, before you start digging through your grandmother’s old chest eager to find some unusual treasures, take a step back and be realistic.

If you want to put a price tag on antique jewelry, it’s most likely you won’t be able to, without the help of an expert, and here’s why: you’ll probably end up setting a much bigger price than what your jewelry is actually worth, or even worse you’ll end up throwing away genuine valuable pieces, because you don’t have the knowledge and experience to identify them.

Especially unexperienced antique jewelry owners should avoid the common pitfalls of this trade, by following some simple guidelines that helps them not to get ripped off.

Don’t sell to the appraiser!

This is the first and most important rule. Don’t sell antique jewelry to the dealer, or auction house or jeweler who’s appraising it. If a person is interested in buyong your jewelry, than you can be certain they will try it to get it at the lowest possible price. If you do go to a certified appraiser, be careful thou, because some of them will offer to buy your jewelry and this could create a conflict of interest. The best way is to get an appraisal from an independent appraiser, but be careful who you choose. If an appraiser charges you a percentage of your property’s value, find another one, because you can’t be certain your jewelry won’t be over evaluated, just to get a higher commission.

Internet appraisals are not accurate

Although no one says you can’t find plenty of information on the internet, an accurate appraisal can only be done by a specialist who is able to see and handle the jewelry. Pictures and descriptions do help a lot, but you can’t rely on merely opinions. And while it’s great you do your own research, to find out what you might be dealing with, it doesn’t mean that diamond ring you found in an old jewelry box is a real diamond.

Get recommendations

If you don’t know which appraiser to choose, it’s very easy to search for recommendations online. It also helps to ask around at bank managers or lawyers, because they have to deal with jewelry appraisals all the time in their line of work.

Ask before you choose

Get an estimate of the costs and how much will it take for the appraisal to be completed. Some appraisers are just very busy and you’ll have to wait even a month for the appraisal. If you’re in a hurry or have some sort of deadline, than this is something you need to think about.

Decide what you’ll do with the jewelry

Antique jewelry could be part of your own collection, you might want to sell, or it has sentimental value for you and you just want to know if it’s worth something to insure it. Make it clear for the appraiser how you want to use the jewelry. If the jewelry is for selling, the appraiser will look at the fair market value, meaning a price that is less than what retailers would sell it for. If you insure a piece of antique jewelry, the appraiser will establish the replacement value, using similar items as guiding. Usually, the appraised fair market value is lower than the value for insurance.

Don’t fix it!

If you have broken jewelry or scratched pieces, you’ll be tempted to fix it. Don’t do this on your own before you get a proper appraisal. You might even reduce the value of a piece next to nothing if you do a “repairing” on your own. Better have an expert look at it and then you’ll probably receive counseling regarding craftsmen or other places where you can get high-quality repairs.

Get appraisals in writing

Although this seems like something obvious, many people get fooled and even pay for verbal “appraisals”. An appraisal report should include the reason why the appraisal was asked, the methods that were used to determine the value of the jewelry and detailed descriptions. You should also get a clear statement of an item’s worth, not just an estimate.

Renew old appraisals

Especially on the antiques market, things are constantly changing. Even in this market, there are trends or times when the market is oversaturated with certain pieces and the prices are lower. That’s why appraisals should be done every 3 or 5 years.

If you want to have your antique jewelry appraised, our team of professional appraisers and qualified gemologists is ready to provide assistance in different type of appraisals, according to your needs. Just schedule an appointment and we’ll take care of the rest!

Photo credit: Pixabay.com, user: JamesDeMer

The Need For The Services Of Certified Appraiser

Before making an investment in or thinking of buying a valuable piece of jewelry, gem or stone of great value, it is of paramount importance to ascertain that the precious item one wishes to acquire is indeed of the actual worth attributed to it. And this is where a certified appraiser come into the picture.

What Is a Certified Appraisal?

A certified appraisal is an expert service which is for the express purpose of establishing the real worth and value of a valuable piece of jewelry or gem. There are professional labs which ensure their service assistance to insurance companies and other individuals, to calculate the true price of a seemingly precious jewel or ornament, which safeguards their interests and any loss because of a possible scam.

It is very hard for amateurs and inexperienced individuals to establish the authenticity of a piece of jewelry or a gemstone, but certified appraisal services offered by experts ensures a thorough assessment and evaluation of the precious trinket or ornament, establishing its real worth in the market.

Benefits Of The Certified Appraisal Service

Availing the services of expert appraisers ensures a number of benefits which can prove to be of great value to an investor thinking of purchasing valuable diamonds or spending on other valuable gems.

With a certified appraisal, the buyer enjoys ease of mind, because any uncertainty or doubt troubling them about the prudence of their investment is removed. As certification about the true value of a gem is provided by a neutral laboratory, it carries great weightage and is evidence of the true worth of a valuable.

The certification provided by the appraisers assesses the size, carat and color of the gem, establishing its worth which proves of significant value in establishing its sale price in the market.

The certification is also a very important document and assessment evidence for insurance companies, who design the coverage policy for a valuable, based on the resale value of the gem or piece of jewelry on the market.

While appraisal ensures the accurate assessment of the value of the diamond or gemstone in the market for insurance purposes, the certification ensures and accredits the characteristic features of a precious gemstone, leaving no ambiguity in the process.

Some recognized diamond and jewelry appraisal firms offering services in the industry, ensure a large portfolio of different related services, which prove to be of significant assistance to insurance companies, collectors, connoisseurs and gem lovers.

There is liquidation appraisal, quality appraisal and antique jewelry appraisal to name a few, which help ascertain the price and quality of a piece of jewelry or gemstone, for safe investment. Most laboratories ensure a damage report as well, which contains a complete detail of the value of the precious item along with the level of damage sustained by it, which proves very useful especially in the appraisal of an antique piece of jewelry or family heirloom.

By availing the services of expert neutral third parties in the field, one can easily ensure whether they are making the right choice in making an investment or not.

 

 

 

 

The Dos and Don’ts of Jewelry Appraisal

jewelry appraisal

In the current economic climate, selling jewelry can provide instant cash to ease your financial woes. However, jewelry appraisal in New York is as difficult as it gets. With so many pawn and jewelry shops around the city, it becomes next to impossible to get a fair value of how much your precious metals are worth. You may end up selling your jewelry for far less than its actual worth. However, with the right mindset and some homework on your part, you can get the best value for your jewelry. Before you head down to the closest jewelry appraisal service or online jewelry appraisal, consider these few dos and don’ts to make sure you don’t end up earning less money than you should

DO – Check the Latest Rates

Precious stones and metals like diamonds, gems, and other jewelry material tend to increase in value overtime. However, you may end up selling your jewelry on a day when the market is down. Hence, it is advisable to check the latest market rates for your jewelry. If your jewelry has embedded diamonds on gold, then check the price of gold and diamond. Similarly, if your jewelry has gemstones with precious metals, determine their value as well. Expect a slightly lower value for your jewelry than the market price, but don’t sell it for over 10% lower!

DON’T – Sell To the First Jewelry Appraiser

This is the most common mistake that people make when getting their jewelry appraised. The fact is that every jewelry appraiser is looking to buy from you for less and sell it for more. Entering into a jewelry appraisal shop with this in mind will help you in avoiding the temptation to sell immediately.

DO – Check With At Least Three Jewelry Appraisers

Remember the three-rule! Visit at least three different jewelry appraisers to get a fair estimation of your jewelry’s worth. If you feel that you have the best quote from one based on the current market price, then go ahead and sell. But if you believe you are not getting fair rates then you can always visit another appraiser. The key is to be patient and good money will come along eventually!

DON’T – Sell In Bulk

Never make the mistake of selling your jewelry in bulk. This often leads to getting an under appreciated value of your jewelry. Different jewelry will have different age, cut, and karat value. By mixing your jewelry together, you are basically mixing high value jewelry with moderate value ones. And what’s the result? You end up getting a moderate value for your jewelry. Hence, make sure that you separate your jewelry and get them appraised accordingly. This will provide you with a better estimate of their worth.

Conclusion

A great way to get your jewelry appraised today is to look for online jewelry appraisers. AGI New York can provide you with the best value of your jewelry by using AGI instruments and other modern methods to determine their value. With our help, you can earn maximum cash on your jewelry!

 

Antique Jewelry Appraisal

antique jewelry appraisal

Are you wondering how much your grandmother’s antique diamond necklace is worth? It may be worth a lot more than you think. If you have antique jewelry, you realize how precious it is to you and your family. They are priceless assets, but in these difficult financial times, they can provide you with more than enough to ease your woes. Here at Accreditation Gemology Institute (AGI), we provide comprehensive antique jewelry appraisal that can provide you with best replacement cost in New York. This can allow you to establish an insurance replacement value on your jewelry.

Antique Jewelry Appraisal and Vintage Appraisal

While you may believe that antique and vintage jewelry are more or less the same thing and used interchangeably, there are differences that separate them from each other. For instance, antique jewelry is any jewelry that is 100 years or more in age. On the other hand, vintage jewelry is for items that are less than 100 years of age, but are not reminiscent to the current or recent styles and trends. For this reason, antique jewelry appraisal is employed to establish an estimated insurance replacement value, whereas antique jewelry may even be sold at the current market price.

Never Assume the Value

The most common mistake that people make with antique jewelry appraisal is assuming a value for it. For instance, let’s say that your great grandmother bought a diamond ring back in 1909 worth $500 at the time. Now obviously $500 for that necklace today is criminally under appreciating its value. But to assume that it would be less than the current market value of diamond necklaces can be negligent. Antique jewelry carries a lot more value based on the age, cut, and karat value. You may be entitled to a better replacement value than you actually think. Hence, before assuming the value, get your antique jewelry appraisal from one of antique jewelry appraisers near you. Go to at least three different antique jewelry appraisers to get a fair idea of how much the jewelry is worth. This will help you in getting the best replacement value and insurance for your piece of history.

Never In Bulk

Getting your antique jewelry appraised in bulk may lead to receiving a lower value of their worth. This is because different jewelry has different cut, karat value, and age. If you mix antique jewelry with vintage jewelry and get them appraised, then the chances of getting a lower replacement value are high. Hence, it is best to get your antique jewelry appraisal separately. Again, this will provide you with an accurate estimation of its worth.

Why Us?

When it comes to diamond, gem, and jewelry appraisal,diamond valuation AGI New York is your one stop solution. We incorporate the latest methods in jewelry appraisal with GIA Gemological instruments and high quality digital camera and photo light box. As a full time gemological service, we can provide you with antique appraisal, grading, identification, and insurance. With our services, you can rest assure that you are getting the best value for your historical jewelry in New York!

 

Liquidation Appraisal- Get To Know The Actual Worth Of Your Gems

liquidation appraisal

There are some very rare and preciously valuable gemstones in the ownership of a few individuals who only have a vague idea of their real worth and value in the market. Some individuals acquire some gems and pieces of jewelry, passed down to them as family heirlooms, about which they have next to no idea regarding their market worth on the basis of their historical importance and gem quality.

The real worth of gemstones and jewelry is accurately determined by experts who have the required knowledge, experience and expertise within the business and industry. With the knowledge of the real value of a gemstone or antique piece of jewelry, it becomes easy for the owner to have a clear understanding of the luxury they enjoy and the asset they possess.

Liquidation Appraisal

Liquidation gem appraisal is the method of trying to gauge the real value of a gem or precious stone, if the owner was to sell it in the current market. The companies which offer services for gem appraisals and accurate evaluation of the worth of the antique or vintage jewelry also offer the service of accurately estimating the probable cost at which a gemstone can be sold on the market at that point in time.

Liquidation appraisal is named so because it is for the assistance of those owners who want to sell and liquidate their precious gems as soon as possible in the market. These appraisal services help such individuals to realize and understand the accurate worth of their precious gemstones, before putting them on the market for sale, so that they are not hoodwinked or swindled into settling for a price much less than the real worth of the stones.

An Important Service

The liquidation gem appraisal service is vital for those individuals who might have an urgent need to liquidate their gemstones in order to generate ready capital. As is usual while meeting emergency needs, people either have to sell their prized possessions at a price much less than their true worth, or are conned to settle for a smaller amount than is their rightful claim.

Liquidation gem appraisal service providing companies serve as expert guides in times of urgent need of individuals who are at their wits end to know the real worth and current value of their valuable in the market.

There might be a difference in the original price of the gem at which it was bought, and the cash price which it would fetch if it were to be sold immediately on the market. The liquidation appraisal experts understand this difference and estimate the value keeping all related factors in consideration.

Therefore, if you intend to sell a precious gem in the market and have an emergent need for ready cash, then you should avail the professional expertise of a liquidation appraisal service provider company.  They can offer you the guidance and expert support you need to make an informed decision, and ensure a sale in which you don’t suffer any significant loss due to a wrong estimate of the gem put up for sale.

 

Importance of Stone Appraisal and Insurance

diamond

Diamonds aren’t cheap. Because of this you may want to consider having your diamonds and other precious stones appraised and insured. While the stones themselves will last more than your lifetime, situations can occur that are beyond your control. Just like any insurance, it is better to plan ahead so in case of emergency, you don’t have to scramble around to ensure your possessions are protected and covered. Following points will provide a deep insight into importance of stone appraisal and insurance

Appraisal

If you’ve inherited or been given a piece of jewelry that contains a fine diamond, the first thing you want to do is have it appraised. Certified appraisers will verify the four C’s of the diamond which includes color, cut, clarity, and carats. You will be given a full grading report detailing the proportions and finish of the diamond along with an estimated replacement value for your specific stone.

The purpose of having your diamond appraised isn’t just so you can flaunt its worth; it is more for your peace of mind. These detailed reports you will receive regarding the diamonds you have appraised will come in handy should anything happen that would require you to have them replaced. This is where diamond insurance comes in.

Insurance

Just like your life insurance protects the ones you love from any financial burden, diamond insurance is there to protect your investment or inheritance in the event you are robbed or lose belongings due to an act of god.

Once your diamond has been appraised, you should keep the report in a place of safe keeping away from your home. A safety deposit box is ideal for these situations; that way you know if anything were to happen to your home, it would still be there. In the event your jewelry is lost or stolen or damaged beyond repair, the diamond insurance would give you either actual cash value, replacement value, or agreed value.

The actual cash value insurance would give you back, in cash, the amount the diamond is worth on today’s market rate rather than the actual amount paid for it. Replacement value insurance would give you a pre-determined amount to replace the diamond, which could actually be less than was originally paid. With agreed value insurance, you set a binding amount at the time the insurance is purchased and should anything happen to it you would receive that set amount of money.

It is a fact of life that bad things happen when you least expect it. By taking the initiative and having your fine jewelry pieces appraised at the time of purchase or receipt and then having them fully insured, you can be sure that your assets are protected in the event they are lost, stolen, or damaged. It is a wise investment to make when you consider the total value of your diamonds and other jewelry. It would be a shame to spend $25,000 on a beautiful diamond engagement ring only to have it lost within a year or two during your honeymoon or while she’s washing dishes. By appraising and insuring your diamond, you will be able to replace it without breaking the bank all over again.