Jewelry Appraisals & Lab Certificates

How They Differ

Lab Certificates and Grading Reports
A lab certificate or grading report describes an unmounted gemstone. Reports differ for diamonds and colored gems, but documentation will include specifics about carat weight and dimensions, color and clarity grades, and items relating to the gemstone's cut and shape.

Think of a certificate as kind of a road-map of the gemstone--it will not change unless the gem undergoes alterations or an error was made during evaluation.

Jewelry Appraisals
A jewelry appraisal can be done on any item of jewelry, no matter what it is composed of. Unmounted gemstones are not a requirement, in fact the jewelry being appraised doesn't even have to contain a gemstone.

The purpose of a jewelry appraisal is to put a dollar value on the jewelry being appraised, often for insurance purposes.

An appraisal might also be necessary to settle an estate or a divorce. Or you might want to verify an item's true market value before you commit to a purchase.

Market values change, so most professionals recommend you have jewelry appraised every two years. Ask your insurance agent for a recommendation. If you use the same appraiser, it is often possible to receive an update, which is usually less costly than a brand new appraisal.

Choosing Labs and Appraisers
Don't assume that labs and jewelry appraisers are qualified or unbiased. You should use someone whose services are not connected to the firm that is selling the jewelry or gemstone.

Browse the links above in "Related Resources" and "Elsewhere on the Web" for advice to help you select qualified labs and appraisers.