Jewellery Appraisals in Nanaimo, BC

Everything you need to know about getting your jewellery appraised

If you’re considering purchasing a new piece of jewellery, whether that be an engagement ring or an anniversary present, it only makes sense to get an appraisal. An appraisal is an evaluation by a professional of your piece of jewellery; every detail is key, and each is listed in the final document.

Just like you would insure big ticket items like your car and your home, you should be taking the necessary steps to protect your new jewellery investment. What’s more, the appraisal process is easy and reliable in the right hands, and will pay off in cases of loss or theft.

Jewellery Appraisals From Graduated Gemologists

What sets Marsh and Son apart from less reputable appraisal providers is their level of expertise. Insurance providers only accept appraisals from Graduated Gemologists, who are certified through the Gemologist Institute of America (GIA). Our two in-house Graduated Gemologists are trained to provide the level of detail and accuracy that the insurance carriers require when providing compensation in cases of loss or theft.

We're located on Norwell Drive in Nanaimo, BC, and provide in-store jewellery appraisals.

What Makes For A High Quality Appraisal?

An appraisal with only the value of the item is a major red flag. High quality jewellery appraisals are detailed, and include all of the necessary information for the piece to be replaced at its true value, or for a replacement to be as similar to the original as possible.

For diamonds in engagement rings, earrings, necklaces, and any other piece of jewellery, the appraisal will include color, clarity, cut and carat weight. Color, clarity and cut are graded on standardized scales as outlined by the GIA. Carat weight can be determined by our Graduated Gemologists without needing to take your diamond out of its setting.

Marsh and Son provides appraisals for any gemstone, as well as gold and silver.

The Jewellery Appraisal Process

The appraisal process is simple. Call ahead to make an appointment at our Nanaimo store, and we’ll do the appraisal for you while you wait. If you haven’t made an appointment, bring in your jewellery and leave it with our experts. Marsh and Son will conduct laboratory tests to determine all aspects of your piece. We do not need to remove stones from their settings to determine the weight of each element.

All necessary details—stone grade and weight, metal karat and weight, an image, and a piece description—are standard on Marsh and Son appraisals. Your appraisal will also serve as a statement of ownership, as your name and address will be listed.

At the end of your appointment, which typically lasts about an hour, you’re ready to take your appraisal and jewellery home. If you’ve left it with us to evaluate, we will contact you for pick-up of both the appraisal and the piece of jewellery.

Jewellery Appraisals & Your Insurance Company

Aside from getting your pieces appraised, what do you need to do to be eligible for your insurance coverage? Next steps will vary depending on your insurance carrier, so you’ll want to contact them and make sure you have all of your bases covered. What’s typical is the insurance company requires that you provide an updated appraisal on a regular basis, typically every 3-5 years. The reason behind the updated appraisal is that the value of elements like gold, silver, and gemstones will change over time.

Don’t wait to provide your appraisal until after you’ve lost your jewellery or it’s been stolen. Most carriers want your jewellery listed separately on the insurance coverage.  

No need to fret if you haven’t had something appraised in quite some time. Simply bring it in to Marsh and Son, and our Graduated Gemologists will provide you with an accurate, detailed appraisal.

Free Appraisals vs. Independent Appraisals

While some retailers offer free appraisals with purchase, there’s no harm in getting an independent appraisal. The independent Graduated Gemologist will have the time and resources to provide the accuracy required of your insurance provider. Ultimately, this extra expense can save you time, money, and disappointment.

Appraising Family Heirlooms

Did you just come into some pieces of jewellery?  You may not know the value of what you’ve inherited, so we advise that you bring it in for an appraisal. You’ll be able to properly take care of your pieces, insure them in case of loss or theft, and take all the steps to be able to pass down the pieces from generation to generation.

If you decide to sell the pieces, you’ll know their true value and authenticity.

If you have more questions about jewellery appraisals in Nanaimo, or would like to book an appointment, contact Marsh and Son Graduate Gemologists at 250.585.1648.