La Jolla Gem Appraisal

A jewelry appraisal is an unbiased, evidence-based valuation for a specific purpose, as of a specific date, that is based on researched market data that is analyzed and formulated into a report prepared by a trained, experienced professional valuation specialist.  

You need jewelry appraisal reports for a variety of reasons: to determine Replacement Value for insurance scheduling; or Fair Market Value for estate planning, equitable distribution, tax liability, dissolution of marriage, litigation; or Marketable Cash Value for reselling your jewelry.  In other instances, you may need to a jewelry appraisal for post lost purposes.

Not necessarily. In most cases, we can complete the inspection while you wait, even for multiple items, so you won’t need to leave your jewelry. If more time is needed, or if you prefer to drop off your items in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon, we’ll provide an intake form with photos, and your items will be securely returned the same day.

Having your jewelry appraised by an independent jewelry appraiser ensures an unbiased, accurate evaluation, backed by expertise and recognized credentials. This is essential for insurance coverage, and legal matters, giving you peace of mind knowing the true value of your pieces.

La Jolla Gem Appraisal is an independent jewelry appraiser with an AGA certified gemological laboratory.

Jewelry appraisal fees are based on the complexity of the item(s) and the research and analysis necessary to reach an estimate of value and produce a comprehensive report. Depending on the size of the assignment, our appraisal fee is per-item or hourly based.

Per-item fee: The minimum charge for the first item (in my office) for most standard, contemporary jewelry styles will range from $150.00 to $250.00 and is based on the amount of time required for that item. Depending upon the size and composition of a collection, additional items may start as low as $70.00 per item. 

For most appraisals, we provide a fixed quote for the appraisal fee at the time the jewelry is presented.  Any unforeseen complications will be communicated to the client if any increased fee is necessary.

Hourly rates: Depending on the scope of work of each assignment, hourly rate fees vary from $175.00-$300.00 and will be computed based upon actual time devoted to examining, analyzing, researching and making report. 

You can call La Jolla Gem Appraisal at (858) 255-8085 or use our online booking system on our website to schedule an appointment and watch while your jewelry is being examined and evaluated. Please bring all the documents (receipts, certificates...) you have, together with the jewelry to the appointment.  Your jewelry will be examined in a secure environment.

If you have several or complex items that require more time to evaluate, you may choose to leave the jewelry while the examination is performed. Should you choose to leave your jewelry, an intake process with detailed photos of the jewelry will be provided for your receipt. 

Depending on each intended use, the level of detail and structure in an appraisal report vary:

For insurance scheduling, a comprehensive appraisal report with photos, a thorough description and replacement value for each item is required.

Appraisal reports for tax liability have to be structured to meet IRS requirements.

For distribution of estate among heirs, the level of detail and reporting will vary with the needs of the family, attorney, or personal representative.

No, there is no such thing as a "GIA certified appraisal." GIA does not provide jewelry appraisals but instead offers gem lab reports. However, GIA Graduate Gemologists, having received education and training to identify and grade diamonds and colored stones, and should also undergo formal appraisal training through prestigious organizations such as the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) to be competently qualified for performing jewelry appraisals.

An ASA jewelry appraiser is a professional accredited by the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) to appraise jewelry. They must complete rigorous training, pass exams, and prove expertise in valuing jewelry, including diamonds and precious stones. ASA appraisers adhere to high standards and ethics, ensuring accurate appraisals for insurance, estate evaluations, and more. In the San Diego area, we are, until now, the only accredited member of the ASA.

You should check with your insurance company.  Many insurance companies suggest updating an appraisal every three-five years.  When updating an appraisal, we will reexamine the jewelry and document its current condition and conduct market research accordingly to update the value conclusion based on the current market conditions.

Gemologists use microscopes to observe the stone to analyze if the stone is diamond or its immiation. They can also use the diamond detectors to perform a thermal conductivity test.  However, it becomes a great challenge to determine natural diamonds versus lab-grown ones. Because lab-grown diamonds are essentially chemically and optically the same as their natural counterparts, traditional gemological observations and old-style “diamond detectors” are not able to tell them apart. Identification at a professional gemological laboratory or using sophisticated devices are the only reliable methods to separate them from natural diamonds. As the only AGA Certified Gemological Laboratory in San Diego, our lab is fully equipped to provide credible opinions for your diamond jewelry.

Yes, we are one of a few appraisal firms that appraise watches.  Please bring all the paper-works you have to the appointment to support the authenticity of your watches. 

We can help you quickly convert your unwanted or inherited jewelry into cash by offering our brokering service.  We will assist you by examining your jewelry to prepare a description including quality and grading, then we will base on it to seek for the highest offer from our network of knowledgeable buyers.  We will charge for our time and a brokering fee.   

It depends on the size of your jewelry collection and the complexity of each piece, the examination stage can take from 15-45 minutes for each item.  After the examination, we will conduct analysis and market research.  The report will be sent to you in about a week.