Jacobs & Spadea offer a wide range of appraisal services. As a Graduate Gemologist and member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, Chris Jacobs is highly qualified to evaluate and value your jewelry, diamonds and colored stones, watches and silver.

Different types of appraisals:

Insurance appraisal is required by insurance companies before they will insure jewelry beyond certain dollar limits. The value is determined with the current researched market price of a comparable item within the appraiser’s geographic region. The value is determined by research of comparable sales, not the policies or prices of one retail jeweler.

Hypothetical appraisal is made on an item of jewelry that may no longer exist (theft, fire, disappearance). These appraisals are based on information supplied by the client. There may be partial proof, such as photographs, a previous appraisal or bill of sale.

Damage appraisal determines how damage occurred to an item, the extent of the damage, and the possible repair alternatives.

Fair Market Value is defined by the Treasury Regulations as "The price at which the property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither being under compulsion to buy or sell and both having a reasonable knowledge of the relevant facts." Additionally, the appraiser must consider the most appropriate market for an individual item when researching fair market value. This is understood to be the market in which the greatest number of sales (for items like that being researched) between willing buyers and willing sellers is found.

Divorce or dissolution of property appraisals are often requested either by the parties involved or their attorneys to determine the fair market value of jewelry. Valuation is based on fair market value based on research of the most common and appropriate market of the individual items.

Probate or inheritance tax appraisals are made in the course of administering an estate for inheritance purposes or for equitable division of property among the heirs.