Jewelry Appraisals

Jewelers, Gemologists and Appraisers

What is the difference between a jeweler, gemologist and appraiser? Its not as complicated as you might think. Here is the information regarding jewelry purchases and what you need to know about jewelers, gemologists, and appraisers…

Jewelers

A gemologist is one who studies gemstone identification and grading. A good gemologist is not necessarily a good appraiser. But a good appraiser must be a good gemologists. How can this be? Well, a good gemologist will be someone who is constantly involved in the study of gemstones. And all too many gemologists get their Graduate Gemologist diploma from the Gemological Institute of America and never see the inside of a gem study classroom again. And considering how many changes occur in the gem and jewelry industry each year, it is not possible to maintain one’s gemological expertise if the last time you were in a gemological classroom was the last day of your GIA training. So while a lot of people may offer themselves as gemologists simply because they are Graduate Gemologists, you should look behind the diploma and ask what additional training they have. Such as American Gem Society, Gemmological Association of Great Britain, Paris (Texas) Junior College, or additional studies with the GIA. A good gemologist will be someone who can show you a proven, ongoing history of gemological study to make sure they keep up on all of the latest developments in the jewelry and gemstone industry.

Gemologists

A gemologist is one who studies gemstone identification and grading. A good gemologist is not necessarily a good appraiser. But a good appraiser must be a good gemologists. How can this be? Well, a good gemologist will be someone who is constantly involved in the study of gemstones. And

all too many gemologists get their Graduate Gemologist diploma from the Gemological Institute of America and never see the inside of a gem study classroom again. And considering how many changes occur in the gem and jewelry industry each year, it is not possible to maintain one’s gemological expertise if the last time you were in a gemological classroom was the last day of your GIA training. So while a lot of people may offer themselves as gemologists simply because they are Graduate Gemologists, you should look behind the diploma and ask what additional training they have. Such as American Gem Society, Gemmological Association of Great Britain, Paris (Texas) Junior College, or additional studies with the GIA. A good gemologist will be someone who can show you a proven, ongoing history of gemological study to make sure they keep up on all of the latest developments in the jewelry and gemstone industry.

However, not all good gemologists make good appraisers. In fact, the worst appraiser you can get is someone right out of gemology school. Why? Because gemology schools teach the scientific facts of gemstone identification and grading, but not the appraisal and market valuation of jewelry and gemstones. Therefore, a good gemologist could tell you that the photograph shown above is a synthetic alexandrite, they could most likely not be able to tell you the difference in price between this synthetic and a natural alexandrite. So while a good appraiser must be a good gemologist to be able to proper identify and grade jewelry and gemstones, a good gemologist right out of school will not have the experience and knowledge of market values to be able to provide you with a proper insurance replacement appraisal. So don’t just look for a Graduate Gemologist or a Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain…you may know more about diamond prices than they do if they are fresh out of school. Look, for someone with an ongoing gemological education along with several years of experience in the appraisal and valuation of the jewelry or gemstone item you have purchased.

A qualified gemologist will be a graduate of one of the following gemological institutes or organizations:

International School of Gemology………………..Registered Gemologist

Gemological Institute of America…………………Graduate Gemologist

Gemmological Association of Great Britain…………FGA

American Gem Society……………………………Certified Gemologist

Appraisers

A good appraiser is one who combines the efforts of retail jewelers to stay up on the latest market trends and prices in jewelry and gemstones, with the qualified gemologist who constantly studies the latest developments in the field of gemology. A good appraiser will constantly be in a study mode to learn all they can about the latest in gemological news and events, while watching the market trends and prices on a wide range of jewelry and gemstones.

And perhaps as important as the above is that the qualified appraiser will constantly study the latest news and developments in the legal requirements of the insurance insurance in regards to the insuring of fine jewelry and gemstones. And will keep themselves abreast of the latest laws government both the insurance companies and the insured in regards to the coverage of jewelry.

To find a qualified appraiser, or learn more about becoming a jewelry appraiser, you should seek out the services of a member of one of the following organizations:

International School of Gemology Registered Gemologist Appraiser

American Gem Society.

American Society of Appraisers

International Society of Appraisers

National Association of Jewelry Appraisers