FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
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How long does it take to get a certificate?
We work within very short delays: approx. 1-3 working
days for a certificate.By prior arrangement certificates can be issued on the same day. -
Do I have to leave my item of jewellery / gemstone / diamond?
Yes: we can only appraise valuables and issue a certificate based on the item itself. The item must be left in the laboratory and will be returned with the certificate.
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May I be present during the analysis?
By prior arrangement you are welcome to wait in our comfortable waiting area. For security reasons, it is not possible to enter the lab.
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What are the costs of a certificate?
The fee depends on the type of certificate:
Jewellery certificates from 49 EUR, coloured stone certificates from 75 EUR, diamond certificates from 110 EUR (all prices include 20% VAT, as of 01/2018)
Our experts are happy to quote a price. -
Which trade levels ("prices") can be calculated?
In our estimations, the appropriate level of trade is calculated based on the intended use. An overview of the different levels of trade and their use can be found in the following article (in German) Lageder, Rinnhofer, Stefan: Mican-Werte in der Schmuckbranche. Wien, Sachverständige Heft 4/2016 S. 212 ff.
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Can I use a certificate for the insurance company?
Yes, our certificates can be used for insurance purposes. A prerequisite is that they include the trade category: retail replacement value
For insurance purposes our certificate may also serve in lieu of a point of sale receipt. -
What does “retail replacement value” mean?
This trade category designates the value of an item of jewellery or precious stone that a consumer would have to pay for it at a normal jeweller’s at a good address including 20% VAT. It is not possible to take price reductions into consideration when calculating the replacement value since these vary from shop to shop and for insurance purposes the item must be replaceable without special reductions.
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What does “fair market value” mean?
This trade category is used to designate the value that might be expected when an item of jewellery or a gemstone is sold from one private party to another. This value is calculated to be a lot lower than retail value since a private transaction is not subject to VAT and none of the other costs connected to the jewellery retail business occur. As a rule of thumb the fair market value will usually be about half the retail replacement value.
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What is the “liquidation value”?
This trade category is used when a private party sells an item of jewellery or a gemstone to a professional retailer (jeweller or antiques dealer). This value takes into account that the retailer pays for it over the counter and assumes the storage risk. The disadvantages of this trade category can lead to significantly lower values than retail replacement value. As a rule of thumb the liquidation value can be about a quarter or a third of the retail replacement value though in individual cases it can be higher or lower than the latter. The liquidation value of precious metals can be the over the counter rate of a metal refinery.
The liquidation value usually corresponds to the starting price at an auction.
