A jewelry appraisal is an excellent opportunity to determine the value of a new piece of jewelry or a piece that you inherited. Whether it’s a tennis bracelet or gemstone ring, getting an estimate can help with insuring the piece or understanding the value of what you want. Consider the following guide to these types of inspections and what you can expect from the process.

Understanding Gemstone Appraisals

The Process  

A gemologist can create a description of the piece, encompassing both the gemstone and the setting. They will need to remove the stone to examine it, but they will reset it before they return it to you. These examinations can also supply information on where the stone came from, even narrowing it down to what mine it was excavated from.

How Value is Determined

When assessing value, jewelry appraisers focus on the four C’s: cut, clarity, carat, and color.

Cut

Cut refers to how the gem has been formed and the number of facets or faces that the stone has. It can also refer to the shape, either round, square, or diamond, and the difference in form can affect the price. Round solitaires often earn a higher rate than decorative designs like oval or pear.

Carat

Carat refers to how large the stone is. Higher carat gemstone rings are more expensive because they are larger. Lower carat jewelry is less expensive but can be just as valuable as a single stone if you have pieces that feature many smaller gems around a larger one.

Clarity

Gemstone value is primarily based on the clarity and color of the stone. These factors refer to whether the gem is tinted, cloudy, or clear. Diamonds often feature natural yellow tints, earning them lower gradings. Colorless options are the highest grade and range from D to F, while those with a noticeable tint that untrained people can see may earn a low grade like K through M. 

Color

Gemstone color is also essential. For example, a yellow sapphire may earn around $500 for a carat, but less-common coral and sunset-hued sapphires, known as padparadscha, may earn from $5,000 to $15,000 due to the rare color.

If you’re interested in having gemstone rings and other jewelry appraised, contact Schwartz Jewelers in Hamilton County, OH. The trusted company has been in the industry for over 73 years providing jewelry sales to generations of Ohioans. Call the Cincinnati-area jewelers at (513) 541-5627 or visit the website for information on their available selection, including bracelets, rings, necklaces, and earrings in an array of styles.