Experts Answer All Your Questions About Jewelry Appraisals
Your beloved jewelry pieces are some of your most prized possessions. Not only because of their monetary value, but especially for their sentimental value. After all, each piece in your jewelry box is a treasure filled with sweet memories and unique meaning to you.
That’s why expert jewelers recommend getting your jewelry appraised and insured to protect your cherished pieces. Whether it’s a brand-new pair of earrings you’ve just bought or a ring you’ve inherited years ago, you can get any piece in your collection appraised at any time.
What is a jewelry appraisal?
In a nutshell, an appraisal is a detailed document which is used to determine the value of a specific jewelry piece. Besides its value, the appraisal document will also include a detailed description of the piece, with information on its precious metals, gemstones, and much more.
Why is it important to get a jewelry appraisal?
There are a few reasons why it’s important to get your jewelry appraised. The biggest one is for insurance purposes, given that you can’t get your jewelry insured without an appraisal.
Not only are appraisals necessary when you get your jewelry insured, but they’re also important when filing an insurance claim. That is, if you don’t have an up-to-date appraisal on a piece that’s been lost, stolen, or damaged, you can’t file an insurance claim for coverage.
Besides insurance, jewelry appraisals are also necessary if you’re looking to sell pieces you no longer wear, as well as being key for tax liability purposes and estate settlements.
Does homeowner’s insurance cover jewelry?
Many people believe their jewelry is automatically and completely covered by their homeowner’s insurance. However, most policies only provide limited coverage under specific circumstances - if at all.
Common issues such as damaged or lost gemstones and other various perils are rarely ever covered. That’s why we recommend an Insurance Replacement Appraisal for complete coverage.
Ask your insurance company for a jewelry floater on your homeowner’s policy. This will cover loss and damage to a piece, above and beyond basic theft coverage.
Beyond the basics: the importance of jewelry appraisals for insurance
When you insure something, you need proof of the item's value and characteristics in case you need to replace it with a similar piece or its value in cash.
If something bad happens to your jewelry and you have an inaccurate appraisal, you may not receive a fair amount from the insurance claim to replace your piece. You might end up without an equal replacement for the piece you've paid premiums to insure. And you definitely don’t want that to happen! That’s why jewelry appraisals are so important.
What are antique jewelry appraisals?
If you’re looking to sell any heirlooms, antique, and estate jewelry, we recommend you get an Estate Appraisal. This type of appraisal is used to determine an estimated selling price for an antique jewelry piece, so both the seller and the buyer know they’re getting a fair price for it.
There are many factors which affect the value of your antique jewelry pieces - such as age, condition, rarity, and popularity - which is why it’s paramount to entrust your items only to Estate Appraisal experts. Only they will be able to give you a reliable appraisal and determine the true value of your piece.
How long does jewelry appraisal take?
The number of pieces you need to get appraised influences how long the process will take. That is, one piece of jewelry will take much less time to appraise than ten pieces.
However, a professional appraisal requires a minimum of three business days. So, you can expect it to take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on how many items need to be appraised.
How often should jewelry be appraised for insurance?
Appraisals aren’t one-time occurrences because the value of jewelry fluctuates. For that reason, it’s not uncommon for insurance companies to require you to update your appraisals periodically.
So, for you to have the most accurate and up-to-date value for your cherished jewelry, it’s important to get your insured pieces appraised once every three to five years.
Where to get jewelry appraised in Fairfield, CT?
Fairfield Center Jewelers is a proud member of the American Gem Society and has been providing insurance and estate appraisals for over 50 years.
Whether you’re looking to get your beloved engagement ring insured, you need an updated appraisal for your prized jewelry pieces, or you need an estate appraisal to sell some of your outdated accessories, our expert jewelers have got you covered.
Visit us today at 1498 Post Road, Fairfield, CT. Or, if you prefer, call us at (203) 259-5693, and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have.
