Gem appraisal
Let us suppose you have found some jewelry laying down right on the bus stop. What should you do then? I say that is time for jewelry and gem appraisal. When your gems should be appraised you can face one of the two problems - where to find a qualified appraiser and what appraisal type is most appropriate and suitable for you.
Talking about appraisal types we can emphasize three - CPA (consumer protection appraisal), RCA (replacement cost appraisal) and FMVA (fair-market value appraisal). Each one of them serves its own different purpose.
CPA is for those buyers that are intended to buy fine precious gemstone. It consists of accurate and precise description of jewelry or gem quality, properties, characteristics as well as its wholesale and retail prices. This appraisal type helps consumer to realize whether the seller proposed one fair deal.
RCA is for the consumers who want to exchange their gems for other ones of comparable quality. This gem appraisal type provides an accurate estimate of gem replacement cost and is often used to determine the suitable insurance coverage amount.
At last but not list we have FMVA is mostly used for estate and different tax related purposes. It provides an objective selling price of a gem in its current condition on common market.
If you have determined what kind of appraisal you need, the next step will be to find one qualified appraiser for your needs. To ensure in his skill you must check the presence of certain certificates at first. Do not be afraid to ask. But the question should be sort of "What qualifies you to appraise my property?" Professional appraisers will not be offended by this question and the majority will rather welcome it. In America appraiser can obtain such certificates as Graduate Gemologist trainee, American Society of Appraisers membership, National Association of Jewelry Appraisers membership. If your appraiser got one of these or all of them it's ok.
Considering that the certificates listed could be falsified try to visit appraiser's gemological laboratory. The equipment should at least include refractometer, spectroscope, polariscope, digital scale, binocular microscope and full spectrum lighting.
The last thing you should pay attention to us how your appraiser creates reports of his appraisal activity. The common appraisal review consists of the complete gemstone description, its estimated values and a full discussion of the appraiser's methodology. A qualified appraiser always will help you to explore the purpose and cost of your appraisal and will be glad to answer your questions. In this way he helps you become better consumer.
All gem appraisals are made in the present. Remember, you must have your appraisal updated at least every two years to ensure that the gemstone value is current and there has been no damage. I advice you to have the same appraiser update your appraisals. There are several reasons to do that. First of all - no one else except your appraiser will make changes to the appraisal report. Second an update from the same appraiser will cost less.