| What kind of appraisal do you need? | |||
| Insurance appraisals When you lose a piece of jewelry, you not only lose something of value but something sentimental. Nothing can replace the sentiment but the piece can be replaced. To insure a piece, you need will need some kind of documentation of proof of ownership with an assessed value of the piece. Jewelers can sometimes prepare vague documentation as a record of the purchase or a receipt of the sale. However, vague descriptions do not protect the consumer. In the case of a loss, insurance companies usually opt to replace your jewelry through a replacement company and pay wholesale prices to recreate your precious jewelry. With vague descriptions and a marked up appraisal, the consumer is the one who pays: with high premiums and lower quality replacement merchandise. Northern Appraisal Services prepares insurance appraisals with extreme detail to help replace the piece with as close to the original as possible. | |||
| Our insurance appraisals include the
following: A detailed description of the item A picture The total weight of the piece Metal weights Stone weights A notation of any trademarks Cut, color, and clarity grading of the center stone(s) A separate grading on side stones Stone measurements of the center stone Notations of laser inscriptions Identifying qualities such as florescence |
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| Estate appraisals Estate appraisals are prepared to help with the settlement of a will. Estate appraisals prepared by Northern Appraisal Services can include a picture if desired and values are assessed at fair market values. When searching for a competent appraiser, make sure that you use one with credentials and who understands the specific government layout requirements of an estate appraisal. Also, make sure that your appraiser doesn't buy estate jewelry. This will make someone biased to the values and will not give you a fair assessment on the items. There are many appraisers out there who are buyers in disguise. Also, make sure that the appraiser is at least a Graduate Gemologist and has experience writing estate appraisals so they can properly identify and determine values. | |||
Estimated values Have you watched Antiques Roadshow? Northern Appraisal Services estimated value services are just like this and are perfect for someone who: Inherited a piece of jewelry or gemstone and doesn't know the value Has some vintage jewelry and wants to learn more about it Wants to know if a piece of jewelry is worth repairing Needs some more information about a piece of jewelry to determine if they want to keep it, sell it or donate it Before you talk to anyone, understand the difference between fair market value and retail value. Jewelers cannot assess fair market values without bias. |
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| Authenticity evaluations
"I just want to know if it's real." Is this you? Northern Appraisal can authenticate your item in a few minutes while you watch and ask questions. As an independent jewelry appraiser, opposed to a jeweler, Northern Appraisal has absolutely no interest in the piece and can give you an unbiased assessment of what you have. This service is perfect for those who: |
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| Are making
purchases from the internet; Are making purchases from non-traditional jewelry-selling parties; Are looking for peace of mind; Have something inherited and don't know if it's real, imitation, synthetic, or a look-alike. We can authenticate: Diamonds, gemstones, watches, translucent and opaque materials such as ivory, jade, bone, etc.; and antique jewelry. Call us if you have a question about a particular item we may have not mentioned. |
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| A true professional independent appraiser should have expertise in only one or two fields. If you have an item that we haven't mentioned, we suggest that you contact the International Society of Appraisers to find an appraiser that specializes in that particular discipline. | |||
| Certificates of
Authenticity Sometimes you may need
documentation. Northern Appraisal Services offers a unique service for those who: Need documentation to help justify the value of a trade in to negotiate the sale price of the item. Want to sell an item and want something in writing from an appraiser saying it is authentic. Want to sell an item and want to give a detailed description written by a professional to the buyer. Want the description, grading and condition of the piece in writing so it can be posted on an online auction or in the newspaper. Want a description of an item in writing for safe keeping for family members to have when you pass on. |
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