Know What You Own
A jewelry appraisal documents the quality, condition, and replacement value of your piece so it can be properly insured. Every appraisal at Gordon Jewelers is performed in-house by our GIA Graduate Gemologist. Your jewelry stays in our hands from start to finish. We never send pieces to third parties, and we never ship.
What's Included
Our Appraisal Process
Every piece that comes through our appraisal process receives the same thorough, professional treatment. Our GIA Graduate Gemologist examines and documents every detail so you have an accurate, up-to-date record of what your jewelry is worth.
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Cleaned
Before any grading begins, we clean the piece thoroughly so every detail is visible. Residue, oils, and buildup can affect how a stone reads under magnification.
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Measured
We record precise measurements of the piece and every stone, including carat weight (calculated or weighed), dimensions, and metal content.
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Graded
Our GIA Graduate Gemologist grades each stone for cut, color, clarity, and carat weight using industry-standard tools and GIA methodology. Metal purity is verified and documented.
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Photographed
We photograph the piece for your records and for the appraisal certificate. This provides visual documentation your insurance company can reference alongside the written description.
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Valued
We determine the current replacement value, which is what it would cost to replace the piece with one of similar quality at today's market prices. This is the number your insurance company needs.
The finished appraisal is documented on a detailed certificate that you can provide directly to your insurance company to add coverage for your piece.
Know the Difference
Three Documents, Three Purposes
Customers often confuse these three documents, and they are not interchangeable. Each one serves a different purpose, and none of them replaces the others.
- ReceiptA record of what you paid. It documents the transaction, the date, and the purchase price. Your insurance company may ask to see it, but a receipt alone is not enough to insure a piece at its full replacement value. What you paid and what it costs to replace are often two different numbers.
- Diamond CertificateAlso called a grading report, this is a document from a gemological laboratory like GIA that describes the stone itself: its carat weight, cut, color, clarity, and measurements. A diamond certificate tells you what the stone IS. It does not assign a dollar value, and it does not describe the finished piece of jewelry.
- AppraisalA comprehensive document that describes the entire piece of jewelry, including the stone, the setting, the metal, and the overall craftsmanship, and assigns a current replacement value. This is the document your insurance company needs to cover the piece at its full worth.
Simple Pricing
What an Appraisal Costs
- Purchased From UsAppraisals on new jewelry purchased from Gordon Jewelers are complimentary on request. Just ask at the time of purchase or bring the piece back anytime and we'll take care of it.
- All Other PiecesWe appraise jewelry from any source at a flat rate per item. Call or text us at (660) 882-5512 for current pricing.
- TurnaroundMost appraisals are completed within about a week. We'll give you an estimated timeline when you drop off the piece.
- UpdatesReplacement values change as metal and stone prices fluctuate. If your appraisal is more than a few years old, it may be worth updating to make sure your insurance coverage reflects the current value of your piece.
Already have a Signature Maintenance Agreement? Appraisals and lifetime updates are included at no additional cost. Learn More.
Protect Your Investment
Why Appraisals Matter
Most homeowner's and renter's insurance policies cap jewelry coverage at $1,000 to $2,500 per item unless you add a separate rider. That means a $5,000 engagement ring may only be covered for a fraction of its value under a standard policy. An appraisal is the document your insurance company needs to cover the full replacement cost.
A jewelry rider, sometimes called a floater or scheduled personal property endorsement, is typically inexpensive to add. Most insurance companies require a current appraisal to set the coverage amount. Without one, a lost or stolen piece is reimbursed at whatever default your policy allows, which is almost always less than what the piece is actually worth.
Replacement values also change over time. Gold prices, diamond market values, and the cost of skilled labor all fluctuate. An appraisal from several years ago may understate the current replacement cost, which means you could be underinsured even with a rider in place. Keeping your appraisal current protects you from that gap.
Common Questions
Appraisal Questions
Everything you need to know before your visit.
A receipt records what you paid. A diamond certificate (grading report) describes the stone's characteristics like cut, color, clarity, and carat weight, but does not assign a dollar value. An appraisal documents the entire piece of jewelry and assigns a current replacement value for insurance purposes. Your insurance company needs the appraisal, not the receipt or the diamond certificate, to properly cover a piece.
No appointment is needed to drop off a piece for appraisal. Visit our Boonville showroom during business hours and we'll get started. We'll call or text you when the appraisal is complete, typically within about a week.
Yes. We appraise jewelry from any source, whether it was purchased from another jeweler, inherited, received as a gift, or bought online. A flat per-item fee applies for pieces not purchased from Gordon Jewelers.
Every appraisal is performed by our GIA Graduate Gemologist using industry-standard tools and GIA grading methodology. All work is done in-house. Your jewelry stays in our hands from start to finish. We never send pieces to third parties, and we never ship.
There is no fixed schedule, but replacement values change as metal and stone prices move. If your appraisal is more than a few years old, it is worth having it reviewed to make sure your insurance coverage still reflects what the piece is actually worth today. An outdated appraisal can leave you underinsured.
Contact your homeowner's or renter's insurance provider and ask about adding a jewelry rider, sometimes called a floater or scheduled personal property endorsement. They'll ask you to provide the appraisal certificate, and they'll use the replacement value to set the coverage amount. The cost of a rider is typically a small percentage of the insured value per year.
Yes. Customers with an active Signature Maintenance Agreement receive appraisals and lifetime appraisal updates at no additional cost. If you have an SMA and need your appraisal updated, just bring the piece in or give us a call. Learn more about our SMA.
Gordon Jewelers in Boonville is about 25 minutes from Columbia and appraises jewelry for customers across Mid-Missouri. Every appraisal is performed in-house by our GIA Graduate Gemologist, and your piece never leaves our hands or gets shipped to a third party. No appointment needed to drop off a piece, most appraisals are completed within about a week.
