Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware

[oldminer]

We have the Delaware Valley covered if you want a "while-u-watch" appraisal from qualified gemologist / appraisers.

A good part of our appraisal work comes into us from all over the USA and from foreign countries, too. Internet clients who are buying from a distant vendor ask us to act as a middleman, advisor and protector in their transaction. It takes just about all the risk away from a big purchase. Service is usually 1-2 days and is what we'd term as "very complete".

Anything we can do to assist consumers, to work together with good sellers, and to promote confidence are our goals. See www.gemappraisers.com for more info about our business and more information. We now utilize the very latest ImaGem technology to provide Light Behavior / Cut Quality reports on round diamonds. Soon we will offer this on Princess cuts and shortly thereafter, many other fancy shapes. See: www.imageminc.com

AGA is only a service company and does not sell jewelry or gems to the public.
The parent firm, D. Atlas & Co., Inc. is a market maker and wholesale only dealer in Old European Cut Diamonds. There is no contamination of integrity or any bias created from this longstanding relationship of the appraisal entity with the parent firm.

[Kelly]

Should a person get their jewelry appraised before buying or after buying?

[Jeff A.]

Hi Kelly,

At the time of purchase, the seller or store should provide a "Statement of Value or Statement of Sale" reflecting the actual price paid by the consumer.
It's difficult to get a retailer to use this terminology. The term "appraisal" is a general term that is used broadly in our industry. After the purchase, you could always have an independent appraisal performed for insurance purposes reflecting the current retail replacement value. It is prudent of any appraiser to always ask the client the "purpose of the appraisal." A store, however, should provide you with an appraisal/statement of sale at no charge at your request after your purchase. I hope this information helps. Great question!


Jeff A.
www.metrojewelryappraisers.com

[Kelly]

I thought appraisals were always for much more than the price paid? Why bother getting it appraised if it isn't higher?

[dbucfan]

I thought appraisals were always for much more than the price paid? Why bother getting it appraised if it isn't higher?An appraisal, for example for insurance purposes, should be at what the product was paid for or if on "sale" what the retail replacement cost is without using an overblown value. If I was to appraise your jewelry for double what it is worth then you would pay insurance premiums on that high value but when it comes time to replace it or get a check because of loss, damage or theft, then you wouldnt necessarily get that high amount back in the form of jewelry or a check from the insurance company...the insurance companies arent stupid...they research the values stated themselves and you will only get they lowest value available to replace it. not to metion overstating a value to an insurance company is fraud and HIGHLY unethical for the appraiser to do. values can rise on occasion so you should have the appraisal updated every few years or when the insurance company asks for an update.
D.

[AlphaGemLab]

The word "appraisal" by definition is the average of what an item would sell for in a particular area. It is NOT what it would sell for in one particular store. When the selling jeweler gives you their "store appraisal" for more than they sold it to you for, that should be a red flag. I ask my clients "if the jeweler gave you paperwork saying it's worth $1000, but you only paid $5000, what makes you so special that you got it for half of what it's supposed to be worth?" Also, "don't you think the jeweler is making money even at the $5000 level?" Most insurance policies are written for REPLACEMENT which means the company will go out and find like-kind and quality. In most cases, they can replace the item for wholesale or below and the profit from you premiums is money in their pockets.