Frequently Asked Questions jewelry appraisal

Prior to the appraisal appointment:

• Clean your jewelry or have it cleaned.  This will save time so that we can spend more time examining your jewelry rather than cleaning it.
• Gather together any sales receipts, laboratory reports, and old appraisals that you might have.  These are the provenance, or history, of your pieces.  For post-loss situations, photographs of the pieces or you wearing the pieces is a great help in establishing provenance. 
• For insurance replacement appraisals, call your insurance company and review what type of policy you have and the limits are.  Some lower-value items may fall under “household contents” and may not require an appraisal – saving you time and money.

During the appraisal appointment:

• First, we will review your needs and jewelry to ensure that we are all “on the same page” so that the appraisal or consultation will best meet your needs.
• Since we are mobile appraisers, we set up our equipment where it is most convenient.  All we need is access to a power outlet.  We bring everything else that we need to conduct the appraisal.
• Then it is time to get to work!  For each piece, we will:
• Weight item
• Measure item length, width, depth
• Test & identify gemstones
• Plot diamonds, as needed
• Extensive photography of item
• Document item condition
• Review item documentation                                         
• Determine / test metals                                                  
• Document manufacturing techniques
• Measure & estimate weights of gemstones               
• Determine gemstone color, clarity, cut 
• Document trademarks, hallmarks, & circa date
• During the appraisal process, you are encouraged to ask us what we are doing, how we are doing it and why we are doing it.  Part of our goal is for you to learn more about the jewelry you own.
• When all items are examined, we pack all of our equipment and let you get on with your day. We create the appraisal report, usually in one to two days (depending on the number of items), and will email you a PDF version of the report and mail you a hard copy of the report via USPS.  Once you have had a chance to review your appraisal, if you have any questions, we can discuss them.  Our goal is that you understand what you own and its value.   

NO!! Here is why:

1. Conflict of Interest

• An appraiser’s job is to provide an unbiased, objective valuation.
• If they buy the jewelry, they have a personal financial incentive to undervalue it (to get a better deal).
• This destroys the trust and impartiality required for a valid appraisal.

2. Professional Standards & Ethics

• Major appraisal organizations enforce strict rules:
  • ASA (American Society of Appraisers): Prohibits buying/selling with clients.
  • NAJA (National Association of Jewelry Appraisers): Same restriction.
  • GIA Alumni / AGSL: Code of ethics bans dual roles.
• Violation can lead to loss of certification, lawsuits, or professional censure.

3. Legal Liability

• If the appraiser buys the piece and the client later claims they were lowballed due to a biased appraisal, the appraiser can be sued for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, or negligence.
• Insurance companies and courts reject appraisals from appraisers who later purchase the item.

4. IRS & Insurance Rules (for appraisals used officially)

• Appraisals for insurance, estate tax, or divorce must be from a disinterested third party.
• The IRS explicitly states the appraiser cannot have a financial interest in the property (Publication 561).

Allowed Exceptions (Rare & Disclosed)

• Separate transactions years apart, with full disclosure and new appraisal by another party.
• Acting solely as a buyer/dealer, not as an appraiser (must clarify role upfront).

Bottom Line An independent appraiser must remain a neutral expert. Buying jewelry from a client is like a home inspector buying the house they just inspected—it’s a red flag and a violation of professional integrity. 

NO!! Here is why:

 1. Conflict of Interest

• If an appraiser also sells jewelry, they have a financial incentive to inflate valuations to justify higher sale prices.
• Example: An appraiser values a diamond ring at $10,000, then offers to sell a "similar" one for $12,000. The client may question whether the appraisal was honest or designed to steer them toward a purchase.

2. Violation of Professional Standards

• Major appraisal organizations (e.g., ASA, ISA, NAJA, AGA) explicitly prohibit members from appraising items they have a vested interest in selling.
• The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) requires appraisers to remain impartial and disclose any interest in the property.

3. Erosion of Trust

• Clients seek independent appraisers for unbiased opinions (insurance, estate, resale, divorce, etc.).
• If the appraiser is a seller, the client may suspect the valuation serves the appraiser’s sales agenda, not their best interest.

4. Legal and Insurance Risks

• Inflated appraisals tied to sales can lead to insurance fraud claims or lawsuits.
• Example: A client insures a piece based on a high appraisal, then discovers it was overvalued to facilitate a sale. The appraiser could face liability.

 A professionally written appraisal begins with a Cover Page and Scope of Work section detailing the client's information, the document's objective, function, and the type of value being sought. Next, you’ll find the body of the report containing a detailed description of the composition quality and monetary value of your jewelry along with several photographs. You’ll also find sections detailing Assumptions and Limiting Conditions, a Confidentiality Statement, a Privacy Statement, a Certification of Appraisal Practice, and a list of gemological equipment available during the examination. 

It will take approximately thirty minutes to set up my equipment and address any questions you may have. For an Insurance Appraisal, the examination time varies based on the complexity of the piece and may take between 20 and 45 minutes for a complete examination of each item. For Estate Appraisals, you can anticipate reviewing 5 items every two hours.   

For individual item insurance appraisals, I will have a detailed report emailed to ithin 24 hours.  For unique or antique pieces requiring deeper research, you can expect a finished appraisal within 3 days. For or an Estate Appraisal turnaround depends on the size of the estate and can take up to 5 days for a finished report.  

 Ideally, your jeweler should have access to an independent gemologist to appraise your jewelry, as this provides a more objective and trustworthy evaluation, particularly when determining the value of valuable pieces. A jeweler selling their inventory might have a vested interest in inflating the price; however, an independent gemologist offers an unbiased assessment.  

StoneKraftsman LLC is an independent jewelry appraisal service. We provide you with an impartial analysis of your jewelry. We’re an unbiased third-party expert in appraisals, distinct from buyers and sellers. The jewelry market is filled with synthetics, imitations, and enhancements that can lead to fraud and deception. We educate you so you can avoid these pitfalls. We guarantee the highest level of service by maintaining professional certifications and accreditations annually. At StoneKraftsman LLC, we prioritize your satisfaction and strive to exceed your expectations.