Appraisals

Appraisals for 1 or 2 items: $125 per item

Appraisals for 3 items or more: $125 for the 1st / $95 for each additional.

Wedding sets that are NOT soldered together are considered multiple items and will be billed accordingly. Should the ring stack be soldered together, they are one ring and therefore one appraisal and charge.

You have the option for one of the below type of values to be assigned to your jewelry documentation. Multiple types of values may be provided by request. Each requested value will be billed as an individual appraisal.

Insurance replacement value

Retail replacement valuation is the most common appraisal needed. The purpose of the appraisal is twofold; first the item value is used to set your insurance premiums, and second, the documentation is used to replace your item, if necessary. An accurate appraisal will provide specific details such as metal content, weight of the item, color, clarity, carat weight of any diamonds, and accurate identification of gemstones in the item. You document will also include photographs of the item. This will help protect you, so that the insurance company replace your items as similarly as possible.

Fair Market Value

Fair market value is an opinion expressed in terms of money, at which the property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither being under any compulsion to buy or to sell and both having reasonable knowledge of relevant facts.

This is considered synonymous with “market value” and is based on the Internal Revenue Service definition in IRS Revenue Ruling 59-60 and the following U.S. Regulations: 26 CFR 1.170A-1 – Charitable Donations, 26 CFR 20.2031-1(b) – Estate Tax, and 26 CFR 25.2512-1 – Gift Tax.

Orderly Liquidation Value

Orderly liquidation value is an opinion of the gross amount, expressed in terms of money, that typically could be realized from a liquidation sale, given a reasonable period of time to find a purchaser (or purchasers), with the seller being compelled to sell on an as-is, where-is basis, as of a specific date.

This premise of value reflects the sale of an asset by a motivated seller after an adequate marketing period to sell the property.

Equitable Distribution

Equitable Distribution is a method of dividing property in a divorce. It is important for legal reasons to have a professional valuation for your fine jewelry.

Estate Tax/ Divorce Property Settlement

An accredited appraiser will provide an accurate examination and evaluation of your jewelry and is well-versed in the complexities of Estate tax law or divorce property requirements.

Yes! The fee is $35 for a gemstone identification.

New/Owned/Antique/Estate jewelry

Watches

Loose gems - Gem ID, Orderly Liquidation, or Fair Market Value only. Insurance companies WILL NOT insure a loose gemstone.

Don’t worry - we do! We can discuss before your appointment and help you to determine what makes the most sense for you.

It is extremely helpful to have previous appraisals, grading reports, documentation, bills of sale etc. It is not necessary but can greatly help the valuation process.

Please contact Croft & Stern to set up a collection assessment. We charge by the hour for large collections and will sort through your jewelry on your behalf. We will tell you what is precious metal/costume, gemstone/synthetic, pearl/bead, gold weight, current metal price for your lot, etc. This is separate from our monthly appraisal services - often this is the first step to valuing an estate.