What we do, and what you receive.
Keystone Jewelry Appraisals provides expert independent evaluations of jewelry. Each appraisal arrives as formal documentation: your record of what you own, what it's made of, and what it's worth.
What you receive
Every individual appraisal is delivered as a formal written report. Each report includes:
- A complete, specific description of the piece: its construction, its gemstones, and the assessed value for the intended purpose (insurance, auction, donation, estate, and so on), along with the basis for those figures.
- Reference material to read your appraisal at a glance: clarity grades, color grades, terminology, gemstone enhancements, plotting, diamond clarity characteristics, colored-stone vocabulary, historical notes on the gemstones in your piece, and best-practice instructions for caring for the jewelry.
- Guidance on how and when to use the appraisal.
- The peace of mind that comes with documentation from an appraiser who holds the highest gemological credential in the United States.
Services offered
Beyond individual appraisals for insurance, Keystone also provides:
- Estate appraisals
- Casualty loss reports
- Damage reports
- Donation appraisals
- US Customs reports
- Inventory analyses
- Gemstone identification
- Liquidation analysis and reporting
- Expert testimony at trial and depositions
- Group presentations
Appraisal by insured courier, nationwide.
Most appraisers can only serve clients within driving distance. Keystone works with insured couriers to transport jewelry securely from clients anywhere in the country, and back again, fully documented, with the completed appraisal report. Call or write to discuss the process for your piece.
When you might want an appraisal
For insurance. Jewelry is small, valuable, and occasionally lost or damaged. A current appraisal makes replacement vastly easier, because the report describes precisely what the piece was and insurers can match it accurately.
For a piece that's already lost. A retro-hypothetical appraisal is less precise (the piece isn't present), but with photographs and information we can reconstruct a basic valuation for insurance or estate purposes.
Before buying. A pre-purchase assessment confirms you're getting what you're paying for, before any money changes hands.
For estates, prenuptial agreements, and divorce. Tax authorities and courts require formal documentation of jewelry value. Keystone's reports are accepted by both.
For charitable donations of $5,000 or more. The IRS requires a qualified appraisal report attached to the tax return; we can prepare and document one in the required form.
For US Customs. An appraisal firmly establishes that you owned a piece before leaving the United States, which means you won't be asked to pay customs duty on jewelry you already own when you return.
How it works
- Contact us. Call 256.295.6788 or email [email protected] with a brief description of what you'd like appraised and the purpose of the appraisal.
- We schedule. Local clients schedule a consultation at a time and place that works for them. Out-of-state clients arrange a pickup by insured courier.
- The appraisal. We take precise measurements, evaluate against industry standards and current market data, and use professional judgment to produce an accurate picture of what you have. Photographs are taken and included. You are welcome to watch the entire process in person.
- You receive the report. A formal appraisal document arrives in your hands, ready for insurers, courts, the IRS, or your own records.
Pricing is per piece or per hour and is quoted individually after a brief description. Ethical practice requires that appraisal fees never be tied to the valued amount of the item; please ask for a specific quote when you call.
Questions clients often ask.
Why not just take my jewelry to a store to be appraised?
You can, but it's a bit like asking the dealership what your car is worth. A retailer with a financial interest in the item has different incentives than an independent appraiser whose primary work is honest valuation. You'll get straighter answers from someone whose interests aren't tied to the transaction.
Is an appraisal legal proof of what my jewelry is worth?
It's a qualified professional's best documented opinion at the time of appraisal. Often the most valuable part of the report is not the valuation itself but the precise description: the exact dimensions of a stone, for example, allow an insurer to find a near-perfect replacement.
What actually happens during an appraisal?
We take a series of precise measurements, evaluate the piece against industry standards and current market data, photograph it, and document everything in writing. You're welcome to watch and ask questions. We think the work is fascinating, and educating clients about their jewelry is part of the job.
Do I really need an appraisal?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. The most common reasons are listed above; if you're not sure whether one of them applies, call and we can talk through it.
What qualifies someone to appraise jewelry?
Formal education in gemology, training in valuation, working experience across the different markets the industry involves, ongoing familiarity with the jewelry market without active commercial involvement, a complete working gem laboratory, and training in the ethics of appraisal practice. A qualified appraiser will document every one of these without hesitation.
How do I get started?
Call 256.295.6788 or write to [email protected]. Most consultations can be scheduled within a few business days.