Best Option For Appraisal When No One Local On list

[Trudii]

I live in a state which appears to be an appraiser black hole on the list here. The closest is in two boarding states, but I have no reason to go to either location and it would be double digit hours round trip either direction. So is there a "next best option"?

What do I need appraised? Ugh. My mother's parents died when the children were young - my mom was 17, her brother 13. My mom held onto both parents wedding bands and her mom's ering (soldered to the band so really 1 ring). When my uncle got to be 18, she gave him the choice of their mom's ring or their dad's ring. He wanted his dad's. (There was a lot of anger toward their mom at the time, she passed by suicide.) 35+ years later, my uncle is convinced that his mother's ring was fantastic and my mom ripped him off. (There is really more underlying this, but right now all they are arguing about is the ring - I'm so glad I am an only child.) My mom gave me the ring when I turned 18. So now I'm in the middle of this nonsense.

I've found advertisements for the brand on eBay and found what is essentially the model. It is not fantastic or a huge diamond. Center stone is probably 1/4 carat (being generous), but the setting is in white gold and lots of cut work to make it look larger. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1954-AD-Keepsake-Diamond-Wedding-Engagement-Rings-Cute-50s-Bride-Gown-Veil-/360728477780?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53fd17c054 (Option A in this ad)

Bottom line, I need to find a reputable jeweler who will give me an accurate, not overstated and not low-ball, estimate on this thing. I have no idea what my mom will do with the appraisal, she won't give him the ring because he sold their dad's years ago (which caused a fight), so I guess the plan is to write a check.

 

[bcavitt]

Check out the website www.najaappraisers.com for jewelry appraisers that are members of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers. If you find one there, make sure you as for a fair market value appraisal and not an insurance replacement appraisal since you're only interested in what the ring is worth to a third party, not what you can replace it for.

 

[heididdl]

Honestly Trudi....The cost of a professional appraisal might cost more than the ring is actually worth. Before traveling or sending your ring to a professional appraiser I would casually have it looked at 2 different local jewelers that do repairs and design jewelry. I am not talking about Mall stores.

. Although most PS might disagree I would be so curious to get a general idea that I would ask them to take a quick look just for an idea of the size, weight (for how much white gold is in the stone) and a general idea (an opinion )of color , and clarity. They may have a microscope on premises and I'd ask to look for myself to look for inclusions etc.

Unless of course your brother is all for sharing the expensive of a professional appraiser then go for it.

 

[Trudii]

I didn't think about that - I figure the ring is worth about $300 best case scenario. Wouldn't surprise me that a good appraisal would be a good portion of that.

It is my mom's brother, I just have the misfortune of physically possessing the ring at the moment.

 

[Trudii]

Check out the website www.najaappraisers.com for jewelry appraisers that are members of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers. If you find one there, make sure you as for a fair market value appraisal and not an insurance replacement appraisal since you're only interested in what the ring is worth to a third party, not what you can replace it for.

Perfect, there is someone a couple towns over. But now have to figure out if the appraisal will cost more than the ring.