Appraisal Services at Gaines Jewelers

Our Appraisal department at Gaines Jewelers is here to serve you. We understand that it sounds like a daunting task to get your valuables appraised for insurance purposes, but we make it easy for you at Gaines Jewelers!

• Appraisals are affordably priced. Even if you are not insuring your valuables, an appraisal serves as proof of ownership. In addition, it helps to have an inventory of your estate.

• We recommend updating your appraisals every 3-5 years.

• Everything your insurance company needs in order to cover your piece.

What is a Jewelry Appraisal?

It is a process where our team of graduate gemologists examines, documents, and assigns a current market replacement value to a piece of jewelry. Generally, this is done to keep your insurance coverage up to date and provide you with a document that insures that your items are covered. Since insurance premiums are generally priced on the value of your items, it is very important to have an up to date value. If your item's value is overinflated, you could be overpaying on insurance. If your item is undervalued then you may not be covered to repair or replace the jewelry that becomes lost or damaged. This is crucial to insure your jewelry is covered for its current retail replacement value.

What is included in the documentation?

 You will receive a complete document with a description of the piece as well as a current value. We offer all the necessary information your insurance company needs in order to replace the item in the event of loss, theft, or extreme damage.

 Who does the appraisals at Gaines?

Suzanne Gaines Grant does the appraisals at Gaines. She is a Registered Jeweler who trained at the G.I.A. specializing in diamonds and pearls. She had further training through the American Gem Society. She has 40+ years of experience. Taylor Brown Saunders can help you with Estate Sorting, which is further explained below.

What services do we offer?

We appraise items for retail replacement, fair market, estate, or liquidation value. We offer a drop off service where you may leave the pieces with us at your convenience or we offer same day service by appointment. Please call us for pricing or to make an appointment. The minimum charge is $75.00 and most appraisals fall into the minimum charge category. Those appraisals which involve numerous pieces, or require a great deal of research are priced at $50.00 per hour.  If the jewelry was purchased from Gaines Jewelers we will update your appraisals at no cost!

 Why is it important to have an updated appraisal?

This is the best way to assure you policy is adequate to cover your piece. Due to an ever-changing market, it is advised that you update your insurance appraisal every 3-5 years. It is a misconception to think that a receipt for the item is sufficient to cover your item in the event of an insurance claim. Insurance companies typically require an appraisal document with a detailed description of the item.

What else does this department do?

We also offer services such as Stone Identification and Estate Sorting. If you need help determining what type of stone you have, or if it is synthetic or real, Gaines is here for you. One of our expert appraisers will be able to examine the stone and give you information about it and make recommendations if it should be appraised. We also offer estate-sorting services where we will help you go through a collection of jewelry and determine what should be appraised. Please call or contact us to make an appointment for stone identification or for your free estate sorting.

Insurance Letters on all items from Gaines

All of our jewelry purchased from Gaines comes with an Insurance letter from this Department. This will be a detailed breakdown of the description of the piece and the current market value. Insurance letters are e-mailed 3-4 weeks after the jewelry has been picked up. Engagement rings are delivered with a copy of the letter with the diamond certificate, if applicable.