Scottsdale Jewelry Appraisals
CONTACT US HERE
(480) 226-0379
Insurance Appraisal / Retail Replacement Value Appraisals
This report is most commonly referred to as an insurance appraisal. This type of report is necessary for insuring your
items against loss or damage. The accuracy and detail included in this report makes it possible to identify or have
exact duplicates recreated of these precious items should they ever be lost or stolen.
Quality Confirmation of a New Purchase
This report is to verify that the diamond you recently purchased is what the retailer represented it as. A complete
quality analysis is done and findings are compared to the major laboratory certificate if accompanied with one. The
retail replacement value is determined based on the gemological evaluation and stated in the final report. This report
can also be used for insurance scheduling.
Liquidation Appraisals (Bankruptcy etc.)
This appraisal value is determined when an owner decides to convert jewelry items into immediate cash by re-selling
them. The sale can be held under forced or limiting conditions and with time constraints, depending on the
circumstances and or how the items are sold.
Estate (Probate) Appraisals
This report is for estate evaluation purposes and is necessary to determine inheritance taxes on an estate. Jewelry
values for estates are legislated to include specific information and data. Fair market value is used for this type of
valuation and it is always necessary to include comparable sales.
Collateral /Bail Bond Appraisals
When you need to post bail for a loved one and have jewelry to use for collateral, we will apprise
it for you. The documentation will be necessary when you bring your items to the bail bond agent.
No long waits for an appraisal. Most can be done within 24 hours or sooner
We have availability weekends and evenings, but please note that we do work by appointment only. All transactions are
held within the strictest of confidence
Divorce Settlement/Dissolution of Marriage
This is a fair market value report for an equal division of common property.
State Laws Apply
Equitable Distribution
Determines value of the piece so that collectively the jewelry
can be divided equally to family members/friends. These appraisals can be done
before or after the passing of the owners.
Usually a fair market value is used ( less than normal retail )
Damage Report
This report expresses the difference in value resulting from breakage and estimates the cost of the removal, re-
cutting and resetting of the gemstone, as well as the value of the re-cut gemstone (loss of weight).
Donation
These reports are based on fair market value and are necessary for tax deductions of donated items.
Comparison
This report is for a client who brings in a jewelry or gemstone item to verify its identity and/or quality as claimed by
the seller. Comparison appraisals usually reflect the item at its most common retail replacement value.
Post Loss
This report establishes the value of a previously undocumented item that was lost or stolen. This is a hypothetical
valuation based on information supplied by the client and supported by photographs and a description of the item.
Casualty Loss
This report determines the fair market value of a lost, stolen, or destroyed item not previously documented. The IRS
allows an income tax deduction of some portion of the value with a proper casualty loss appraisal.
Professional Appraisal of Diamonds, Gemstones, Watches and Fine Jewelry
Tom LaGravinese is an independent jewelry appraiser serving clients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Fountain Hills, Queen Creek ,San Tan, Ahwatukee, Florence, Casa Grande and Coolidge from his offices in Gilbert and Scottsdale He has over 30 years of jewelry appraisal experience. He is a Graduate Gemologist.
How do I Select The Right Qualified Jewelry Appraiser ?
There are many certifications jewelry appraisers can obtain, some of which require
extensive education and training from reputable accredited schools, and others with few
requirements from lesser known schools that are not accredited.
Why Should I Have My Jewelry Appraised?
1. You need an appraisal if you want to obtain insurance coverage on items worth more than $500.
2. You should have an appraisal if you plan to sell your jewelry or use it as collateral.
3. You need an appraisal to settle an estate or for fair distribution of gifts.
4. You need an appraisal to claim a casualty loss for your insurance company or the IRS.
5. You should have an appraisal for division of property in a divorce.
6. You need an appraisal for tax deduction of a charitable contribution.
7. You should have an appraisal for any dispute between you and a retailer.
How Often do I Need My Jewelry Appraised?
The Insurance Institute of America recommends that jewelry be re-appraised
every five years. If you have an outdated appraisal - Updating your appraisal
can be done relatively quickly and inexpensively.
I offer a while you watch appraisal
service at my office or a mobile lab service to come to the location of your choice. I am
sensitive to the many questions my clients might have regarding the appraisal process
and am happy to explain the evaluation and valuation process as I am conducting it. My
appraisal reports are detailed, comprehensive, written reports that clearly explain the
valuation and evaluation process.
What Happens First ?
First, you will fill out a quick form with your name, address and phone number and indicate the
intended use of the appraisal.
I will then briefly explain to you the grading criteria for diamonds and or colored gemstones, so that
you will have a basic idea of how the quality of a gemstone relates to value. This will help you to
understand the evaluation and valuation process that I will be performing on your jewelry item.
You sit directly across from me while I conduct the evaluation. Your jewelry item is always in plain
view.
I explain the evaluation and valuation process as I am conducting it and am happy to answer any
questions you might have.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Mounting Attributes:
A complete evaluation of the mounting is done and is described in detail in the final report.
Each piece of jewelry will be weighed, measured and described in detail.
Inscriptions, hallmarks, karat stamping's, signatures and any other identifying markings are noted.
A metallurgic analysis is done on all metals to verify type and fineness and noted in the report.
Any additional diamond accents or colored stones are evaluated for clarity and color and carat weight and
are estimated using the appropriate formulas. The findings are noted in the report.
Custom design and hand fabricated work, along with signed pieces are noted and taken into account in the
final value conclusion.
___________________________________________________________________________________
The Final Appraisal Report:
All the quality analysis information listed above is conveyed in a clear and easy to understand format in the
final appraisal report.
Digital Photographs of all jewelry items are taken and included in the appraisal pdf document.
Your appraisal report will explain the grading system used.
An explanation and the definition of value used will be included, along with the instructions for the appropriate
use of the appraisal report.
The appraisers certification of practice is included and the report is signed by the appraiser.
Your appraisal will be prepared in conformity with the Uniform Standards of Appraisal Practice, USPAP.
CONTACT US HERE
(480) 226-0379
Insurance Appraisal / Retail Replacement Value Appraisals
This report is most commonly referred to as an insurance appraisal. This type of report is necessary for insuring your
items against loss or damage. The accuracy and detail included in this report makes it possible to identify or have
exact duplicates recreated of these precious items should they ever be lost or stolen.
Quality Confirmation of a New Purchase
This report is to verify that the diamond you recently purchased is what the retailer represented it as. A complete
quality analysis is done and findings are compared to the major laboratory certificate if accompanied with one. The
retail replacement value is determined based on the gemological evaluation and stated in the final report. This report
can also be used for insurance scheduling.
Liquidation Appraisals (Bankruptcy etc.)
This appraisal value is determined when an owner decides to convert jewelry items into immediate cash by re-selling
them. The sale can be held under forced or limiting conditions and with time constraints, depending on the
circumstances and or how the items are sold.
Estate (Probate) Appraisals
This report is for estate evaluation purposes and is necessary to determine inheritance taxes on an estate. Jewelry
values for estates are legislated to include specific information and data. Fair market value is used for this type of
valuation and it is always necessary to include comparable sales.
Collateral /Bail Bond Appraisals
When you need to post bail for a loved one and have jewelry to use for collateral, we will apprise
it for you. The documentation will be necessary when you bring your items to the bail bond agent.
No long waits for an appraisal. Most can be done within 24 hours or sooner
We have availability weekends and evenings, but please note that we do work by appointment only. All transactions are
held within the strictest of confidence
Divorce Settlement/Dissolution of Marriage
This is a fair market value report for an equal division of common property.
State Laws Apply
Equitable Distribution
Determines value of the piece so that collectively the jewelry
can be divided equally to family members/friends. These appraisals can be done
before or after the passing of the owners.
Usually a fair market value is used ( less than normal retail )
Damage Report
This report expresses the difference in value resulting from breakage and estimates the cost of the removal, re-
cutting and resetting of the gemstone, as well as the value of the re-cut gemstone (loss of weight).
Donation
These reports are based on fair market value and are necessary for tax deductions of donated items.
Comparison
This report is for a client who brings in a jewelry or gemstone item to verify its identity and/or quality as claimed by
the seller. Comparison appraisals usually reflect the item at its most common retail replacement value.
Post Loss
This report establishes the value of a previously undocumented item that was lost or stolen. This is a hypothetical
valuation based on information supplied by the client and supported by photographs and a description of the item.
Casualty Loss
This report determines the fair market value of a lost, stolen, or destroyed item not previously documented. The IRS
allows an income tax deduction of some portion of the value with a proper casualty loss appraisal.
Professional Appraisal of Diamonds, Gemstones, Watches and Fine Jewelry
Tom LaGravinese is an independent jewelry appraiser serving clients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Fountain Hills, Queen Creek ,San Tan, Ahwatukee, Florence, Casa Grande and Coolidge from his offices in Gilbert and Scottsdale He has over 30 years of jewelry appraisal experience. He is a Graduate Gemologist.
How do I Select The Right Qualified Jewelry Appraiser ?
There are many certifications jewelry appraisers can obtain, some of which require
extensive education and training from reputable accredited schools, and others with few
requirements from lesser known schools that are not accredited.
Why Should I Have My Jewelry Appraised?
1. You need an appraisal if you want to obtain insurance coverage on items worth more than $500.
2. You should have an appraisal if you plan to sell your jewelry or use it as collateral.
3. You need an appraisal to settle an estate or for fair distribution of gifts.
4. You need an appraisal to claim a casualty loss for your insurance company or the IRS.
5. You should have an appraisal for division of property in a divorce.
6. You need an appraisal for tax deduction of a charitable contribution.
7. You should have an appraisal for any dispute between you and a retailer.
How Often do I Need My Jewelry Appraised?
The Insurance Institute of America recommends that jewelry be re-appraised
every five years. If you have an outdated appraisal - Updating your appraisal
can be done relatively quickly and inexpensively.
I offer a while you watch appraisal
service at my office or a mobile lab service to come to the location of your choice. I am
sensitive to the many questions my clients might have regarding the appraisal process
and am happy to explain the evaluation and valuation process as I am conducting it. My
appraisal reports are detailed, comprehensive, written reports that clearly explain the
valuation and evaluation process.
What Happens First ?
First, you will fill out a quick form with your name, address and phone number and indicate the
intended use of the appraisal.
I will then briefly explain to you the grading criteria for diamonds and or colored gemstones, so that
you will have a basic idea of how the quality of a gemstone relates to value. This will help you to
understand the evaluation and valuation process that I will be performing on your jewelry item.
You sit directly across from me while I conduct the evaluation. Your jewelry item is always in plain
view.
I explain the evaluation and valuation process as I am conducting it and am happy to answer any
questions you might have.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Mounting Attributes:
A complete evaluation of the mounting is done and is described in detail in the final report.
Each piece of jewelry will be weighed, measured and described in detail.
Inscriptions, hallmarks, karat stamping's, signatures and any other identifying markings are noted.
A metallurgic analysis is done on all metals to verify type and fineness and noted in the report.
Any additional diamond accents or colored stones are evaluated for clarity and color and carat weight and
are estimated using the appropriate formulas. The findings are noted in the report.
Custom design and hand fabricated work, along with signed pieces are noted and taken into account in the
final value conclusion.
___________________________________________________________________________________
The Final Appraisal Report:
All the quality analysis information listed above is conveyed in a clear and easy to understand format in the
final appraisal report.
Digital Photographs of all jewelry items are taken and included in the appraisal pdf document.
Your appraisal report will explain the grading system used.
An explanation and the definition of value used will be included, along with the instructions for the appropriate
use of the appraisal report.
The appraisers certification of practice is included and the report is signed by the appraiser.
Your appraisal will be prepared in conformity with the Uniform Standards of Appraisal Practice, USPAP.