Sample Appraisal Report: Do You know What You Have?
Since some of you don’t know what an appraisal report looks like, I thought it would be helpful if I showed you a few examples. Shown here is part of a report I am doing for a Client who has a vast jewelry collection, including many antique pieces.
In this case, the most helpful things I can do are to evaluate the condition, gemstones, and karat of the gold used, as well as to consider the time period of initial creation and which materials were available at the time. To check on the history, I use my own knowledge and research and an expert in the field whose opinions I fully trust. There are several places in this report where I have cited his opinion which may be different than the opinion of the person who sold my Client her jewelry.
Date: November 8, 2020
Introduction and Purpose
Client:
This report includes valuations of Client’s extensive antique and modern fine jewelry collection for the purpose of gifting to her heirs.
Appraisals will include research on each piece for the purpose of informing her descendants about the history and provenance of her jewelry.
Every effort was made to identify the origin of each piece, whether it was inherited from Client’s family or that of her husband.
The values obtained are not a guarantee of value if an item gets sold as market prices, desirability, fashion, and other influences move prices in unanticipated directions.
Diana Widman, Graduate Gemologist, Ai-V (accredited international value,) designer, metalsmith
312-346-2363
Item Description
1. Georgian Gold Chain: Georgian, triple loop gold chain, likely 18KT gold. Chain is 41.5” long and was intended as a muff chain. This piece was made before the Industrial Revolution and, as such, is crafted with hand cut tiny granulation, ball disks, and chase work. The estimated date of this chain is 1835. Chains made of gold were relatively rare in Georgian times because of gold’s price level. The barrel clasp is typical of the period and has a missing turquoise.
Value to dealer: $XXXX
2. Gold Chain: This 18KT chain is a later, Turkish copy of a Georgian chain made by machine. This piece shows a lot of wear and has been noticeably resoldered in several places. The clasp is in the shape of a hand set with turquoise in the cuff (one chipped) and possible ruby or garnet on the hand. Value: $2500
3-4. Fancy-Link Gold Chain and Fob
This 23”, fancy-link chain dates from around 1900, which is the end of the Victorian and beginning of the Edwardian period in Britain. Links are of the disk and knot design and gold content is between 15KT and 18KT. This is a fob chain.
Value of Chain: $XXXX
Carnelian Fob:
The fob contains the initials FDD. Four words are carved around its edge including “Virtus nobilitat,” and one Alos (Latin for cherish.) A hand holding a star and crescent is carved in the center. The fob has an elaborate floral motif and the metal around the bezel is possibly gold-filled or low-karat gold. It is unclear.
Value: $XXX
