Is Your Jewelry at Risk?

A Guide to Choosing a Professional Jewelry Appraiser

© 1999 By Charles M. Ellias, GG, ISA, CAPP

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. This article will educate you on getting your jewelry properly appraised, including who is qualified to appraise your jewelry, 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, I strongly recommend you take the time to read this article to protect your purchase.

About the author: Charles Ellias is on the board of directors of the International Society of Appraisers (ISA). He is also a consultant for gem artists, lapidaries, wholesale diamond and gemstone dealers, insurance companies, retail jewelers, personal property appraisers, attorneys, independent adjusters, and consumers. He has taught courses on manufacturing arts, appraisal sciences, consumer courses on jewelry and gemstones, was a technical editor for Section III of the American Gem Society’s Advanced Personal Property Appraisal Course, along with instructing insurance companies and appraisers on jewelry appraisals and appraisal review. Mr. Ellias has authored numerous articles on appraisal issues, and has been the recipient of many awards for his dedication to the appraisal profession. With 20 years of professional experience, Mr. Ellias is an advocate for appraisal ethics, education and reform. For more information, see his North American Lapidary Laboratory website.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Burglar fooled!

Instead of the usual background information on antique jewelry, we would like to draw your attention to a less pleasant but very important aspect of jewelry in general: security and theft prevention. At the end of the last year we received a mail from a customer that she allowed us to share with you.

Dear Tania and Elkan, I have enjoyed both of you this year. I wanted to let you know a triumphant story. My house was robbed on December 21st. You both know my love of jewelry and most of my pieces are one only and not replaceable. I have added the link to the jewelry box that saved my entire collection. The robber was not even aware that it was a jewelry box. You have many customers like myself that have large collections I would suspect. Maybe my story will help someone else. The police officers that responded said it was a very good decoy. Cordially, Robin

So this time the story had an happy ending but not everybody is as lucky as Robin. We therefore strongly suggest to have your jewelry insured and appraised and that you store those appraisals in another place then the jewelry itself.

In case you decide not to have your jewelry appraised then you can also make photocopies of your jewelry next to a ruler (in color is best but black/white is good too). It's easy, alway in focus and you don't have to describe as much. From all your jewelry you take a scan from both top and bottom.

In our next issue we will return to interesting subjects on antique jewelry and we will dive a bit in the history and symbolism of Valentine's day. Meanwhile feel free to browse our entire collection.


Or see our: love-token-jewelry, latest acquisitions, jewelry glossary or style overview

Antiqualy yours and happy browsing!

The Adin team www.adin.be

reade more... Résuméabuiyad