When you want to understand what your diamond ring or other jewelry is worth, a diamond appraisal or jewelry appraisal will give you insights into the intrinsic and external characteristics of your piece.

People seek jewelry appraisals for a number of reasons, including:

  • Insurance coverage
  • Estate planning
  • Document the value of jewelry in a divorce or other legal proceeding
  • Determining a resale value
  • Establishing a value if a piece needs to be sold quickly
  • Determining the fair market value

What is a Diamond Appraisal or Jewelry Appraisal

An appraisal is a written report that details an item, evaluates its comparative quality, and determines its monetary worth. The report typically includes information on observable, quantifiable, and analyzable characteristics of the item (e.g., weight, materials, markings). Jewelry appraisals often also include assessments of subjective aspects like gemstone grade, rarity, and overall craftsmanship quality.1

A diamond appraisal involves a comprehensive evaluation conducted by a qualified appraiser to determine the value of a diamond. The process includes several key steps:

  • Initial Assessment: The appraiser will look to see if there are gemstones, their condition, if there are any defects or damage.
  • Assessing the Diamond/Gemstone: The core of a diamond appraisal is determining the 4 Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.
  • Examining the Setting: The examiner will evaluate the metal to determine if it is a precious metal, like gold or platinum, and if it has any hallmarks.
  • Market Research: The appraiser will also research current market trends and the demand to determine how they might affect the worth.
  • Documentation: The jewelry appraiser or evaluator will create a detailed report about the characteristics of your jewelry and diamonds.

Types of Jewelry Appraisals

There are a number of different appraisals that provide detailed information about diamonds and jewelry items, and each serves its own purpose.1

Insurance Appraisal

The primary purpose of an insurance appraisal is to determine the retail replacement value of your jewelry. This value represents the cost to replace the item with another of similar kind, quality, and condition from a retail establishment.

Estate Appraisal

Estate appraisals are conducted to establish the value of jewelry for legal matters, like calculating estate taxes, to make sure distribution among heirs is equitable, or determining the total value of an estate’s assets for probate purposes.

Resale Appraisal

A resale appraisal estimates the potential selling price of a piece of jewelry in the current market, which is particularly useful for those considering selling their jewelry.

Liquidation Appraisal

This appraisal is needed when jewelry must be sold quickly, often in situations like bankruptcy, divorce settlements, or urgent financial needs, requiring a rapid liquidation of assets.

Fair Market Value Appraisal

Fair market value appraisals estimate the price at which an item would sell under normal circumstances, where there is no pressure on either the buyer or the seller to complete the transaction. It is helpful for legal, tax, and personal purposes.

Jewelry Appraisal vs Diamond Grading Report

A jewelry appraisal establishes the value of a piece of jewelry, which includes the stone, the setting, and the metal. It details objective and subjective factors, as well as market trends.

A grading report, sometimes referred to as a lab report, focuses on the diamond or gemstone. The Gemological Institute of America provides detailed grading reports, focusing on the 4 Cs of a diamond.2

How Diamonds USA Appraises Diamonds

Diamonds USA appraisals are performed by GIA-certified (Gemological Institute of America) appraisers who have been thoroughly trained in the appraisal process. This ensures our customers receive an accurate assessment of the value of their stones for sale and that they are compensated accordingly. Here are our steps for a diamond appraisal and a jewelry appraisal:

  • Initial Assessment: We start by examining the diamond’s physical characteristics, such as its size, shape, and overall appearance. This initial assessment helps us understand the diamond’s potential and any immediate indicators of quality or flaws.
  • The 4 Cs Analysis: We then delve into the “Four Cs” – Carat weight, Clarity, Color, and Cut. Using specialized tools like a loupe (a magnifying glass), we inspect the diamond for any imperfections, both internal (inclusions) and external (blemishes). We assess its color on a scale from colorless to tinted, and we evaluate its cut for symmetry, proportions, and polish, ensuring it reflects light optimally.
  • Certification Review: If the diamond comes with a certificate from a reputable gemological laboratory like the GIA or AGS, we carefully review it to corroborate the information provided by the seller and to ensure its accuracy.‌
  • Fluorescence Examination: Some diamonds exhibit fluorescence under ultraviolet light, emitting a soft glow. We test for fluorescence and note its intensity, which can influence the diamond’s appearance and value.
  • Market Analysis: We stay informed about current market trends and demand for certain diamond characteristics. This knowledge helps us contextualize the diamond’s appraisal value within the broader market landscape.‌
  • Documentation and Reporting: Throughout the process, we meticulously document our findings, including detailed descriptions, measurements, and any notable characteristics. This documentation forms the basis of our final appraisal report.
  • Appraisal Conclusion: Taking into account all the factors we’ve assessed, we arrive at a valuation for the diamond. This valuation reflects its quality, rarity, and market demand. We provide our appraisal report to the client, along with any recommendations or insights based on their specific needs.
  • Jewelry Evaluation: Once the diamonds in a piece of jewelry are appraised, we also assay the settings, determine the value of the gold, silver or platinum based upon weight, purity and current market price, and include this amount in the offer we send you.

Jewelry Appraisals and Diamond Resale Values

It’s important for sellers to keep in mind that the price originally paid for jewelry when it was purchased will be considerably higher than its actual worth. This is because the original retailer’s price includes a hefty markup for beyond the value of the stone and its precious metal settings.

Retail prices also account for marketing, branding, packaging, store overhead and of course: profit. Companies like Zales or Kay Jewelers and other common mall retail outlets often mark their merchandise up significantly.

The value determined by an insurer does not represent the value of your stone. It is a replacement value. During an insurance appraisal, the appraiser is evaluating how much it costs to replace the item. Because the insurance policy will cover the replacement cost, the insurance appraisal will be higher than the resale value3.

Because you are paying the insurance company for that protection, the more inflated the dollar amount, the larger the premium they can charge (which also makes you feel safer). For this reason, it is standard for insurance companies to exaggerate an item’s value. They only have to replace it, if it’s lost or stolen.

Get the Most Value for Your Diamonds and Diamond Jewelry

It is a favorable time to turn diamonds into cash. Our tried and tested process makes it effortless for Americans in all 50 states and Canadians to get quick cash for their diamonds and precious metal settings – especially those living in rural areas.

Fill out the request form in order to receive your free Appraisal Kit containing a complimentary FedEx Express Overnight Shipping label so you can safely ship us your diamond jewelry at no cost to you. Within 24 hours of receiving your shipment, we’ll send you an offer. We guarantee you’ll be satisfied or we’ll return your material to you at no cost to you.

We’ll cover the cost of shipping and insuring your diamonds and settings against loss or damage. Every diamond jewelry shipment has a unique tracking number and barcode so you can track your shipment online throughout the entire process.

It all begins by requesting your free Appraisal Kit.

Sources:

1. Jewelers of America – Guide to Jewelry Appraisals, https://www.jewelers.org/buying-jewelry/jewelry-repair-and-care/appraisals. Retrieved Feb. 28, 2024
2. GIA – Diamond Grading Reports, https://4cs.gia.edu/en-us/diamond-grading-report/. Retrieved Feb. 28, 2024.
3. Jewelers Mutual – Jewelry Appraisal vs. Selling Price, https://www.jewelersmutual.com/the-jewelry-box/jewelry-appraisal-vs-selling-price. Retrieved Feb. 28, 2024

ABOUT DIAMONDS USA

Diamonds USA is a prominent online buyer of all diamonds, as well as gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, in the United States. Since 2005, we have paid millions to thousands of customers for their unwanted diamonds or broken precious metal jewelry. We offer a quick and straightforward selling process, ensuring customers receive prompt and competitive offers for their items. Learn more about us, or request your free Appraisal Kit now: