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Consumers require appraisals for many different reasons. Perhaps you just purchased an item and want to verify a fair purchase price. You may want to have your jewelry insured or you may want to sell it. We help you determine the type of appraisal that is right for you.

1. Confirmation of Fair Purchase Price. This report describes the item in detail, including the mounting, diamonds, gemstones, plots of the major stones, etc. A digital photo of the item is included on the appraisal report.

Appraiser's digital camera 2. Insurance Appraisal — Replacement Cost. This type of appraisal describes the item in the same amount of detail as above and provides an estimate of what it would cost to replace the jewelry with an item of like kind, quality, etc. We advise our clients against over-inflated appraisals since the insurance company often will pay only what it costs them to replace the item, not an inflated value. Your premiums, however, are based on the appraised value.

3. Estate Appraisal — Fair Market Value. This type of appraisal is most often used for estate purposes. The jewelry is evaluated in its current condition taking into consideration its age, quality, provenance, current fashion trends, etc.

4. Expert Witness Testimony. We handle both civil and criminal court cases.

5. Consultations. Most consumers agree that buying or selling a diamond can be a harrowing experience. Even knowing the 4 C's (cut, clarity, color, carat weight) doesn't always guarantee that what you asked for is what you will get. Help protect yourself, and make your diamond or gemstone buying experience a positive one. Arm yourself with the information you need.

Our appraisal fees are set by the piece or hourly. After examining the jewelry — and before starting the appraisal — we provide you with an estimate of the amount of time needed to complete the appraisal. If our actual time exceeds the estimate, there is no additional charge. At Value Markers, there are never any surprises!