Gems and Jewelry Appraising, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1988 Techniques of Professional Practice

Only a few years ago, if you needed an appraisal of The revolution in the personal property appraisals gems and jewelry for any reason, you asked your local field (of which jewelry is a part) is a little more than a jeweler, who hastily scribbled a one-line handwritten decade old. There now exist uniform standards and note. He or she usually performed the appraisal for procedures for personal property appraisers, classes free, and did so with reluctance, accommodating you in valuation techniques, and degree programs in the only because as a customer you held the promise of a valuation sciences. future sale. The price your jeweler may have assigned Professional jewelry appraisers are on the edge of to the jewelry was granted without the least regard a new vocation. Banks, insurance companies, and for market research, legalities, or ethics. In most in­ governmental agencies have all helped bring about stances, the estimate was no more than a properly the changes and contribute to the birth of the profes­ completed sales receipt. sion; they have realized that they can demand and Gemologists were usually pushed into the role of get high standards of performance and integrity from appraiser by their jeweler employers, who were eager jewelry appraisers, as they can from appraisers of real to gain an advantage over their competitors by adver­ property.

1. The Appraiser.- Who Is a Professional Gems and Jewelry Appraiser?.- Opening an Appraisal Service.- Establishing a Professional Image.- Questions Most Often Asked by Gemologists about Appraising.- 2. Appraisal Procedures and the Nature of Value.- The Purpose of the Appraisal.- Appraisal Functions.- Limiting and Contingency Conditions for Appraisal Documents.- Handling Insurance Replacements.- 3. Conducting the Appraisal.- Initial Examination and Take-In.- Appraisal Preparations.- Photographing the Jewelry.- Cleaning the Jewelry.- Identifying, Measuring, and Weighing Gemstones.- Analyzing Metal Fineness.- Weighing, Measuring, and Noting the Manufacturer.- Trademarks and Hallmarks.- Conducting Market Research.- Computers and Telecommunications.- Comparing Notes with Foreign Colleagues.- 4. Research and Analysis: how to Estimate Value.- Pricing Old-Cut Diamonds.- Phenomenal Gems.- Fantasy-Cut Gemstones.- Ivory.- Jet.- Coral.- Amber.- Opal.- Jade.- Pearls.- Bead Necklaces.- Rare and Collector Gems.- Synthetic Gemstones.- 5. Jewelry from Antiquity to the Modern Era.- Jewelry Antiquities.- Antique Jewelry.- Examining and Evaluating Period Jewelry.- Cameos.- Class Rings, Fraternal Jewelry, and Religious Jewelry.- American Indian Jewelry.- Ethnic Jewelry.- European Designer Jewelry.- Jewelry from New-Wave Designers.- Costume Jewelry.- 6. Valuing Watches, Coin Jewelry, Carvings, and Other Articles.- Vintage and Contemporary Wristwatches.- Pocket Watches.- Coin Jewelry.- Erotica.- Carvings.- Hardstone Carvings and Gemstone Sculptures.- Silver Flatware and Holloware.- 7. Legal and Ethical Aspects of Appraising.- The Appraiser’s Role in Gemstone Barter.- Survival Techniques for Expert Witnesses.- 8. Preparing the Appraisal Document.- The Appraisal Report.- Developing a Professional Brochure.- Illustrations of Cutting Styles.- Size-to-Weight Conversion Charts.- Standard-Size Cabochon Gems.- Opal Cabochons.- Caliber-Cut Gemstones.- Weight System Conversion Charts.- Pennyweight-to-Gram Conversion.- The Troy System.- Avoir and Troy Weights.- The Carat System.- Diamond Prices: 1980-1985.- Gold and Silver Prices: 1971-1986.- Weight Estimation Formulas.- Diamonds.- Colored Stones.- Recommended Report Forms.- Gem Identification Report.- Quality Analysis: Colored Stones.- Quality Analysis: Opals.- Quality Analysis: Change-of-Color.- Stones.- Quality Analysis: Pearls.- Quality Analysis: Cat’s Eye and Star.- Stones.- Jewelry Appraisal Update.- Sample IRS Valuation: Donation Appraisal.- Metal Finishes.- Opal Terms.- Antique and Period Jewelry Items.- Sources of Additional.- Information.