An appraisal is a professionally rendered opinion as to the authenticity, quality, design and value of a gemstone or jewelry item. The appraiser must also understand the difference between VALUE and PRICE and know when each is appropriate to use in reports. The opinion must be backed by gemological education, experience in the jewelry arts and formal training n the evaluation sciences including market experience. The appraiser must also have access to a fully equipped gemological laboratory and be prepared to continue his or her education on an annual base.

Chose your appraiser based not on the fees for the appraisal nor how quickly it can be performed, but based on the appraiser's qualifications. This is very important, for after you have sustained a casualty, it will be too late to fill in the missing information that is necessary when you file your claim. If any information is missing from a poorly performed appraisal you can expect the insurance company to use this omission to their benefit and it would be proper for them to do so.

Lauren L. Bechtol is a Graduate Gemologist (Gemological Institute of America), a member of NAJA (National Association of Jewelry Appraisers) and a bench working goldsmith. The additional education in the appraisal science and experience he has obtained over 35 years in the jewelry business qualifies him to appraise jewelry of many different styles and types. The appraisal assignments he accepts to perform all meet and exceeds "The Minimum Standards for Appraisal Content" required by NAJA and he fully abides by the "Code of Ethics" of NAJA and JA (Jewelers of America organization).

Schuck Jewelers Ltd. offers the following types of reports for a fee -

  • Retail Replacement Appraisals for insurance replacement purposes
  • Estate Appraisals
  • Inheritance Tax Appraisals (limited acceptance)
  • Liquidation Appraisals
  • Donation Appraisals (limited acceptance)
  • Collateral Appraisals
  • Comparison Appraisals
  • Grading Reports without a listed value
  • Qualitative Reports

Schuck Jewelers Ltd. offers the following report at no charge for our jewelry at the time of sale -

  • Insurance Documentation Reports for insurance replacement purposes

For a sample of a typical Retail Replacement Appraisal for insurance purposes, please click here.

For additional information regarding NAJA, click on the following link, http://www.NAJAappraiser.com.

For additional information regarding the Gemological Institute of America or GIA, click on the following link,http://www.gia.edu.