Yes, in a non-binding initial consultation, our experts will inform you whether an appraisal of your jewelry is worthwhile.
We will also clarify the purpose of the appraisal (e.g. sale or insurance).
Expert opinions for authorities, notaries and courts are usually completed within 4 to 5 working days.
Expert opinions for private individuals and other clients are usually prepared within one week.
If you need your report urgently, please contact us.
In exceptional cases, appraisals can be carried out on the same working day by prior appointment.
Yes, we ask you to bring your jewelry, gemstones or diamonds to our laboratory for the appraisal.
Once the appraisal has been completed, you will receive your items back together with the appraisal report.
We ask for your understanding that it is not possible to be present in the laboratory for safety reasons.
However, you are welcome to take a seat in our waiting room.
Please allow at least 1 to 1.5 hours for this.
To make this possible, please make an appointment for the assessment in advance.
We recommend that you always document your valuable jewelry and gemstones – in addition to a certified appraisal – with good photos.
This will enable you to assert your claims against your insurance company in the event of damage.
If you need a second opinion or additional examinations – especially for rare or valuable stones – we will be happy to assist you with our experience.
We work with international experts at home and abroad who specialize in individual gemstones and who we can also call on for valuations if required.
For the preparation of an expert opinion, we charge a minimum fee from 110 euros incl.
value added tax (as of July 2024).
Our experts will be happy to provide you with an individual cost estimate when you hand in your jewelry or gemstones and inform you whether an appraisal is worthwhile.
The costs vary depending on the value of the object to be appraised or the weight in carats for diamond grading.
The valuation of an object is always about the value – not the price.
This value remains abstract until the sale determines the objective price.
The price is an amount of money that is subject to individual influences and is demanded, offered or paid for a specific asset.
Two main methods are used to determine the value of a piece of jewelry: In the comparative method, the value is based on comparable objects of the same type and quality.
In the calculation method, the valuation includes imputed approaches such as costs, trade margins and taxes.
The estimated values are representative average values.
In special cases, e.g. legal proceedings such as probate proceedings, the value is set at the lower end of the range.
Any deviation from the standard method must be noted in the appraisal report.
In our valuation reports, we determine the appropriate trading level depending on the intended use.
You can find a detailed overview of the various trading levels and their application in the publication: Lageder, Rinnhofer, Stefan: “Mican values in the jewelry industry”.
Yes, our appraisal is suitable for insurance purposes.
The prerequisite for this is the indication of the replacement value in the retail trade.
The appraisal can also be submitted to the insurance company as a substitute invoice.
This retail level refers to the price that a customer would pay for a piece of jewelry or a gemstone in a well-located jewelry store, including 20% VAT.
Discounts are not taken into account when determining the replacement value, as they vary from store to store.
In the event of an insured event, the replacement of an item must be guaranteed even without discounts.
This value is used when buying or selling a piece of jewelry or gemstone between private individuals.
It is significantly lower than the replacement value in the retail trade, as private sales are not subject to VAT and the costs of a retail transaction do not have to be taken into account.
As a rule, the market value between private individuals corresponds to around half the replacement value in the retail trade.
This value is applied to a sale of jewelry or gemstones from a private individual to a commercial reseller, such as a jeweler or antique dealer.
a jeweler or antique dealer.
It must be taken into account that the reseller pays immediately and therefore also assumes the storage risk.
Due to these factors, a considerable discount is applied to the replacement value in the retail trade.
The sale value is usually around a quarter to a third of the replacement value, although this may be lower or higher depending on the individual case.
In the case of precious metals, the sale value may correspond to the redemption price of a refinery.
The sale value often corresponds to the asking price at auctions.