Basic Jewelry and Gem Appraisal Terms: What is Value?

The Traditional Definition of Value

Value is the price a willing seller and knowledgeable buyer can agree on.

What is a Willing Seller?

A "willing seller" implies a person free from duress. For example, if you need to sell something quickly to pay emergency medical bills, you would be under duress. In such circumstances, what you're willing to sell for wouldn't be a good indication of value.

What is a Knowledgeable Buyer?

"Knowledgeable buyers" know what they're buying. In the gem business, that means providing an accurate description and full disclosure of any treatments to customers. If you sell someone a one-carat diamond, it better weigh a full carat, not just 97 points. (There are 100 points a carat). A natural sapphire should be a natural gem, mined from the earth, not a synthetic. If you don't provide accurate information, your customers aren't knowledgeable buyers.

Jewelry and Gem Appraisal Terms: Types of Value

Value is one of the most basic jewelry and gem appraisal terms. However, we need definitions of value more refined than the traditional one.

Original Value

For example, say you're an estate executor. You have a 50-piece set of sterling silver dinnerware purchased in 1940 for $150. That figure is the original value, established at the time of sale.

Insurance or Replacement Value

Replacement value is the cost necessary to replace the appraised items. Replacements may encompass new items of the same kind and quality or similar items of the same kind, age, and quality. This definition takes into consideration wear and defects.

In most cases, the replacement item should be an exact replica. Therefore, a qualified craftsman using the same materials and construction techniques as the original should make the replacement. Of course, finding an exact duplicate for some gems or antiques isn't possible. In these cases, you or your insurance choose something as close as possible, instead. Take that 50-piece dinnerware set, for example. In today's marketplace, a new set of similar dinnerware may sell for $100 per piece. So, the replacement value is $5,000 for the set. That's the highest value you could place on the dinnerware.

Fair Market Value or Estate Value

Fair market value falls somewhere between the simple definitions of original and replacement value. For example, an original value of $150 for that dinnerware set from a receipt from 1940 is no longer relevant. By the same token, a $5,000 replacement value for a used silver dinnerware set is too high. The fair market value would be a realistic price at which you could sell the set.

The fair market value definition modifies the traditional definition slightly. The price a willing seller and knowledgeable buyer are likely to agree upon in their local marketplace is the fair market value. For example, you may find similar dinnerware sets currently going for an average of $50 per piece. This helps establish a fair market value for the set at about $2,500.

When appraising for fair market value, you would take into account a combination of factors, including:

• Recent auction records
• Secondhand market information
• Relevant price guides
• Information from stores selling similar items

Liquidation or Scrap Value

If you need to sell for quick cash, you need a liquidation or scrap value appraisal. For example, this is the value of that silver dinnerware set if sold quickly, without the time to research the best source or wait for an auction. This exemplifies selling under duress. (If a bankruptcy court forces someone to sell their goods, there may not even be a willing seller).

Under these circumstances, the appraiser multiplies the weight of the dinnerware times what a scrap dealer will pay for the silver.

Cash Value Insurance

In the event you have a piece of jewelry stolen and you'd prefer cash instead of a replacement, you'll need cash value insurance. Insurance companies charge much higher rates for this. Therefore, it's uncommon.

If you haven't purchased cash value insurance and your insurer makes you a cash offer for a loss, it will be much less than the replacement value.

Why is Cash Value Insurance More Expensive?

Usually, an insurance company will direct you to a local jeweler to make a replacement item for you. If you're satisfied with the replacement, the jeweler will bill the insurance company for cost plus an agreed commission. The commission is typically a percentage of the jeweler's costs calculated on a sliding scale. The commission percentage declines as the value of the replacement increases. The jeweler may get 50% over cost for replacing a $1,000 item, but only 15% over cost for a $10,000 item.

Now you know why cash value insurance premiums are substantially higher. It costs insurance companies more than replacing the item. On a positive side, rest assured that when an insurer refers you to a jeweler, an experienced professional will handle your claim.

Value and Conflicts of Interest

Be aware that some insurance companies offer very low premiums by doing the replacements through companies they own. Since the insurance company, rather than an independent jeweler, determines what constitutes a fair replacement, a potential conflict of interest arises.

Other companies pay very minimal commissions and have very stringent rules and regulations. Jewelers who do replacements for these companies may not be willing to give you a fair replacement.

You'll find important differences among insurers in quality of coverage and how they replace losses. For more information on choosing an insurance company, go over these nine questions to ask a prospective insurance provider.

More Information on Jewelry and Gem Appraisal Terms

• Appraising Gems and Jewelry
• Jewelry and Gemstone Appraisals for Insurance
• Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Gems and Jewelry?
• Gem and Jewelry Insurance Quotes: Four Money-Saving Questions