Jewelry appraisal in Bozeman, Montana

By a GIA Graduate Gemologist,
in our Main Street gallery

Written, signed appraisals for insurance, estates, divorce, and donations. Not sure which one you need? We’ll tell you in a minute below — and if you’re selling, you may not need one at all.

BOOK A PRE-APPRAISAL APPOINTMENT

GIA Graduate Gemologist

Formal gemology credential

AGS & ASA trained

Appraisal-specific study

Court-qualified

Experienced expert witness

DIFFERENT PURPOSES CALL FOR DIFFERENT APPRAISALS,

What do you need the appraisal for?

Different purposes call for different appraisals, and they're priced differently. Pick the closest match.

YOU NEED A

Retail Replacement Value appraisal

Insurers want to know what it would cost to replace your piece with a similar one at retail. This is our most common appraisal.

Delivered as
Written, signed document
Typical rate
$150/hr
Example
1ct solitaire ≈ $100
BOOK A PRE-APPRAISAL APPOINTMENT SEE PRICING
YOU NEED A

Retail Replacement Value appraisal

Insurers want to know what it would cost to replace your piece with a similar one at retail. This is our most common appraisal.

Delivered as
Written, signed document
Typical rate
$150/hr
Example
1ct solitaire ≈ $100
BOOK A PRE-APPRAISAL APPOINTMENT SEE PRICING

The three kinds of appraisal

Each one answers a different question about the same piece of jewelry.

Retail Replacement Value

What it would cost to buy a similar piece at retail, here, today.

Most often used for

  • Insurance coverage
  • Damage and loss claims
  • Estate planning (sometimes)

Relative cost

Standard hourly rate

Fair Market Value

What a willing buyer and a willing seller would agree to, at a certain place and time.

Most often used for

  • Settling an estate
  • Charitable donations
  • Tax purposes

Relative cost

2–3× the insurance rate, because it must hold up in court

Marketable Cash Value

What the piece would realistically bring if sold for cash.

Most often used for

  • Divorce settlements
  • Planning who inherits what in a will

Relative cost

Varies by purpose — see estate planning below

What it costs

Appraisals are billed by the hour, and the time depends on the piece. Here's a typical example.

A one-carat diamond solitaire ring

Assuming the diamond isn't in the top three clarity grades.
Purpose
Time × Rate
Typical Cost
Insurance
40 min × $150/hr
$100
Estate
50 min × $450/hr
$375

Estate appraisals take longer because the appraiser must be prepared to defend the conclusions in court. A simple gold chain usually takes 10–15 minutes.

What makes a piece take longer

More kinds of gemstones

Each needs identification, measurement, weight, color and clarity grading. Existing lab reports save time.

Unusual shapes or stones

Rare cuts and uncommon gems take more research.

Detailed design work

Every element is described so the piece can be accurately replaced later.

Antique pieces

Period jewelry often needs careful research.
Get a quote at a pre-appraisal appointment

How it works

You'll know the cost before any appraising begins.
01

Book a pre-appraisal appointment

Bring your pieces to the gallery. We look them over and tell you what the appraisal will cost.
02

We appraise

Identification, measurements, grading and research, based on the purpose you need it for.
03

You receive a signed appraisal

A written document signed by the appraiser, ready for your insurer, attorney or accountant.
04

Update every three years

Most insurers ask for reassessment every three years. Reassessment rates are kept low.

Getting your will in order? Decide who gets what, now.

If your will simply splits your jewelry by percentage or "equally among heirs," your family will need an Estate Appraisal — and because one or two pieces are usually worth more than everything else combined, there's rarely a fair way to divide them without selling.

A percentage split in the will

Heirs pay for a Fair Market Value appraisal, then often must sell pieces or buy each other out.

A Marketable Cash Value appraisal now

You learn each piece's value and name specific pieces for specific heirs in your will or an addendum.

It doesn't need to be typed up, and it costs one-third to one-half the hourly rate of a Fair Market Value appraisal.

Book an estate-planning appraisal

Selling a piece? You probably don't need an appraisal. A pawn shop won't care what an appraisal says — an offer tells you what the market will bear.

Longer than life

Fair Market Value is what a willing buyer and willing seller agree to. You can get actual offers at no charge — including from us — and you're never obligated to accept.

Get a free offer on your jewelry

Meet your appraiser

[Appraiser name] has appraised jewelry in Bozeman for [X] years. Whatever your question about identifying or valuing your gems and jewelry, you'll get a straight answer.

GIA Graduate Gemologist

Gemological Institute of America

American Gem Society

Appraisal-specific training

American Society of Appraisers

Appraisal-specific training

Qualified expert witness

Has testified in court a number of times

Questions people ask

Anything else, call (406) 522-8844 or ask us in chat.

Start with a pre-appraisal appointment

Bring your pieces in. We'll look them over, tell you which appraisal fits, and give you the cost before any work begins.

Book a pre-appraisal appointment Call (406) 522-8844
Alara Jewelry gallery
42 W. Main St, Bozeman, MT
Hours
Open 7 days, 10am–6pm
Contact
hello@alarajewelry.com