The Ultimate Guide to Jewelry Appraisal Costs
Whether you’re planning on selling a piece of jewelry or getting it insured, it’s important that you get a jewelry appraisal. An appraisal is a document that describes the jewelry item, evaluates the quality, and assigns a monetary value to it.
Now that you understand what an appraisal is, you might wonder, “how much does a jewelry appraisal cost?” or “is it even worth it?”
The cost is based on a number of factors, but I’m telling you right off the bat that getting an appraisal is worth the price if you’re getting this from a professional. I’ll elaborate on the specifics of jewelry appraisal costs, but first, let me explain exactly why these are important.
The Importance of Jewelry Appraisals
A lot of people wonder whether it's important to have their cherished jewelry appraised or not. The simple answer to this is yes. I highly encourage you to get your piece of jewelry appraised.
No matter what piece of jewelry you have and where you got it, whether you're making a jewelry purchase or a family member handed it down, it's essential to know its value. For example, let's say you're planning on buying a diamond engagement ring; you can ensure that you're getting your money's worth through an appraisal.
If you're planning on getting jewelry insurance abroad, an appraisal allows you to make an insurance claim should anything happen to your item. Most, if not all, jewelry insurance companies require you to have an appraisal for them to identify accurate jewelry insurance. I also want to stress how important it is that you approach professional jewelry appraisers since you don't want to risk getting an incomplete jewelry appraisal.
Typical Cost of Jewelry Appraisal in the Philippines
The jewelry appraisal cost depends on many factors, like the type of jewelry that you want to appraise. For example, an appraisal for a three-stone engagement ring would cost different from a necklace with a more complex design.
Here at Willyn Villarica Jewelry, the cost can range from ₱1,000 for simple gold jewelry pieces to more than ₱6,500 for pieces of jewelry with more intricate designs. So it really depends on the type of jewelry appraisal that you want to get.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Jewelry Appraisals
Number of pieces
One factor that affects the cost is the number of jewelry you want to appraise. For example, appraising a single engagement ring would cost less than appraising five or more items of jewelry you might have.
Needed research
In some cases, more research is needed to get an accurate appraisal. This would take more time; thus, an appraiser might charge more.
Appraiser specialization
An appraiser that has particular expertise or has more years of experience might also charge more. This is especially true if you want to appraise specific types of jewelry, like antique jewelry pieces.
Appraisal Fees: When to Know When You're Being Overcharged
As a general rule, an appraiser shouldn't be charging you a fee based on the appraised value. THIS IS ILLEGAL AND HIGHLY UNETHICAL. If you hear an appraiser tell you that they will charge you based on a percentage of the jewelry piece's determined value, it's time to look for a different appraiser.
You should also know how much you're expected to pay before the appraisal process begins.
Jewelry Appraisal Cost FAQs
How Much Does a Jewelry Appraisal Cost?
In the Philippines, a jewelry appraisal usually costs around ₱1000. This can still increase or decrease depending on different factors, like the intricacy of the item.
Why are jewelry appraisals so high?
When you've bought a piece, you might wonder why an appraisal value is much higher than the item's selling price. This is because an appraisal considers several aspects of jewelry. If your piece has certain gemstones, for example, the quality and carat weight affect the valuation.
What happens when you get jewelry appraised?
During a jewelry appraisal process, an appraiser will inspect your piece of jewelry to determine its monetary value. Then, they will look at different factors of your jewelry, and after this, you'll receive a document containing all the necessary information about the appraisal and your item.
Do jewelers appraise for free?
It really depends on the jeweler. Some might offer free appraisals if you're planning on selling your piece, while others provide only an estimate.
Thinking of getting a jewelry appraisal that's sure to be worth the cost? We at Willyn Villarica Jewelry ensure that you get accurate jewelry appraisals. As a NAJA-recognized appraiser and gemologist, I adhere to grading standards and use the necessary tools to follow the proper appraisal process.
If you want an appraisal or have other questions about our services, email me at willynvillarica@willynvillaricajewelry.com. You can also reach out to us through our Facebook page (Willyn Villarica Jewelry) or Instagram (@willynvillarica_jewelry).