What is vintage jewelry?

Vintage jewelry is generally any jewelry that is at least twenty years old but is not old enough to be called antique.  Antique jewelry is generally at least one hundred years old.  AIGR appraisers will not describe anything as antique unless they are confident that the item is that old.

What is “fair market value?”

According to the IRS, "Fair market value (FMV) is the price that property would sell for on the open market. It is the price that would be agreed on between a willing buyer and a willing seller, with neither being required to act, and both having reasonable knowledge of the relevant facts. If you put a restriction on the use of property you donate, the FMV must reflect that restriction."

What is “retail replacement value?”

Retail Replacement Value is the dollar amount that jewelry appraisers normally use on an appraisal for insurance purposes.  This value is an estimate of the highest full price you might pay for an item at a retail jewelry store, without any discounts or sales.  Using this value ensures that you have adequate insurance coverage.  An inflated appraisal may make the owner of the jewelry feel good about an acquisition, but only the insurance company benefits financially through increased premiums.

What insurance do I need for my jewelry?

You may have some built-in coverage for your jewelry with a homeowner’s or renter’s policy.  This insurance has a dollar limit for jewelry included with the contents of your home and may only cover theft or fire.  More valuable jewelry should be individually appraised and “scheduled” or added to a “personal articles floater.”  This type of insurance usually also covers damage and mysterious losses.

Why does the appraisal expire after 3 years?

Market values constantly change, whether it be for houses, gasoline, groceries, precious metals, or gemstones.  Most jewelry appraisals are performed for insurance purposes, and AIGR's gemologists want to make sure that you are adequately insured without paying excess premiums.  So whether the market goes up or down, it is good to have a current appraisal.  Some insurance companies require that an appraisal be updated regularly, and if you change your policy, they may require an appraisal that is less than one year old.

Why should I pay more for an appraisal than I did for the piece of jewelry?

You normally shouldn’t pay more for an appraisal than you did for the jewelry unless you got a great deal at a garage sale or second-hand store.  At AIGR, we generally do not appraise anything that we don’t think is worth at least $500.00 retail value.  Also, the fee for an appraisal should not be a percentage of the appraised value of the jewelry; it is unethical on the part of an appraiser to calculate fees that way.

Why do I need to have my jewelry appraised by an independent appraiser? How is an independent appraiser different from one at a jewelry store?

The job of an independent appraiser is to protect you.  An independent appraiser is not trying to preserve or provide a sale for a jewelry store, nor is he making an offer to buy your jewelry, so there is no conflict of interest.