APPRAISALS

INSURING YOUR JEWELRY

There are many reasons why you may wish to have your items appraised. The most common is for insurance purposes. Josephs can help you determine if the pieces in your collection should be appraised and provide you with the necessary documentation to obtain insurance. You should discuss different types of policies and coverage with your insurance agent to determine which policy is best for you. Need help finding coverage? We can also help you obtain insurance through Jewelers Mutual who specializes in jewelry coverage. We can scan your documents or receipts and help you get the coverage you need before your jewelry leaves the store.

TYPES OF APPRAISALS

When insuring your collection, you will usually need an official appraisal. This document will list the type of jewelry, the type of metal used, the type and quality of stone, and an assessment of the total value of the jewelry.

There are two types of appraisal services. The first is a retail replacement report, which is a type of appraisal based on what we would charge to replace the item with one of like kind and quality. This is the most common appraisal we offer, and is the type of document used for documenting and/or insuring your items. The second type is an Estate appraisal, which is a fair market value based on what a reasonable secondary market or liquidation sale might bring. This is most commonly used for tax liability when finalizing an estate, but can also be used for any type of asset valuation required for other litigation purposes.

APPRAISAL SERVICES: SCHEDULING, TIMING & PRICING

To ensure each piece receives the attention it deserves, we recommend planning ahead when scheduling your appraisal.

Appointments are required for collections of more than five pieces and are available Monday–Friday from 12:30 PM–4:00 PM. This allows our certified gemologists dedicated time to properly evaluate your items and answer any questions you may have.

Appraisal pricing varies depending on the number of items and the complexity of each piece. We are happy to provide an estimate prior to beginning the process—simply contact us at 515-440-2991 or visit us in-store to get started.

Turnaround time for most appraisals is approximately 14 days, though larger collections or more detailed pieces may require additional time. We’ll always communicate timing expectations upfront so you know exactly what to expect.

Please note: Retail Replacement Reports requiring a transfer of ownership will incur a small fee.

Extended Processing Times

To ensure the highest level of service, appraisals for outside jewelry are temporarily paused during the holiday season (November 16–January 2) as we focus on in-store purchases and seasonal demand.

During periods of high demand or staffing limitations processing times for outside appraisals may be extended based on availability.

We invite you to schedule your appraisal appointments accordingly, so we can provide the care and attention your jewelry deserves.

These are just a few of the many repairs we can perform on your jewelry. Visit us in- store for a professional evaluation and a personalized quote from one of our skilled jewelers to see how we can assist with your repair needs.