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It is up to you to separate the quacks from the professionals. Locate a member of the American Gem Society near you. Unfortunately, anyone may present himself to the public as a personal property appraisal. How much does an appraisal cost? $25.00 appraisal? Walk in other direction. A competent and professional appraisal will charge appropriate rates for the time and work involved to do the job properly. How do you know if the appraiser is a professional? Question you should ask, are you a member of a professional personal property appraisal organization? How did you obtain the level of membership? Did you have to take courses and pass a comprehensive examination? Remember, one maybe a member of an organization and yet may not have taken their courses or pass the prescribed examinations.

Other organization have almost no educational criteria to obtain designations, they just exchange dollar for diplomas. How many hours of continuing education courses do you attend per year? How many of these hours are appraisal specific and how many are gemilogical and jewelry specific? Do you say current on industry guidelines and research? Make sure your appraiser includes these items in your jewelers documentation. Cover document, this explains in detail what type of value is being sought. It will identify the client and intended users of the report and where the property was inspected, as well as, the dates of inspection, and the dates of value. Grading systems, an explanations of a grading systems used for diamonds, colored gemstones, and pearls.

Professional profile, this is the appraisers’ history of education and experience. What should be contained in a proper appraiser body? Item description, type of item, gender, metal contents and type of manufacturing process, metal finishes, types of findings, selling, measurements, items shapes, metal weight and penny weight or grams, engravings, circa, condition of the piece, marriage, style number, manufacturer, signature, hallmarks and trademarks, prominence, family lore and photographs. So thanks for watching and good luck finding an appraiser.