Making sure you know who you are dealing with.

Now that you have taken the time to choose the perfect gift, whether to commemorate a special occasion or just to wear and enjoy, is your prized possession properly protected? Unfortunately, the answer is probably no. Let us assist you on getting your jewelry properly appraised, including information on what an appraisal should contain, insuring your jewelry, common misconceptions about jewelry insurance and how jewelry claims are handled. Since you have taken the time to choose the perfect piece of jewelry, we strongly recommend you take the time to protect your purchase.

How do I choose a Professional Appraiser?

This is actually a bit trickier than you may think. Unfortunately ANYONE may present themselves to the public as a personal property appraiser. One way to find a good professional appraiser is to find one that insurance companies use when claims for loss or theft comes in.  When an insurance company trusts the appraisal, and the appraiser, you have found a quality professional.  We have been offering and supplying professional appraisals to insurance companies as well as individuals for 30 years. 

The Professional Appraiser
Working within the jewelry industry by buying and selling jewelry does not make one an appraiser, nor should appraising be treated as an inalienable right that comes with the job. Appraising is a profession, just as a doctor, lawyer, or CPA, where one must be educated and tested. Unfortunately, as of today, there is no overseeing body to administer government testing and licensing (just like dentistry before the American Dental Association was formed), therefore, anyone can hold himself or herself out as a personal property appraiser. BEWARE! It is up to you to separate the “quacks” from the professionals.

A professional personal property appraiser will have a high level of education backed with a high level of experience and product knowledge. A professional will have taken and passed courses and prescribed examinations in evaluation and valuation, principles and business practices, appraisal ethics, standards and report writing. This type of professional will also keep up with the standards and changes through rigorous continuing education. Membership held within a professional appraisal organization is a good indicator of the appraisers’ commitment to their clients.  We are such a company.  All our gemologists are GIA (Gemological Institute of America) trained Certified Gemologists, and our owner has continued his commitment for excellence and training in jewelry and watch appraisals. 

Our customers come visit our jeweler from cities in the North Bay like Sausalito, Mill Valley, Tiburon, Belvedere, Corte Madera, Larkspur, Greenbrae, San Rafael, San Anselmo, Fairfax, Novato, Petaluma, Penngrove, Cotati, Sebastopol, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sonoma, Healdsburg, Vallejo and Windsor as an example.