A free online jewelry appraisal is a great option for people who want to get a quick estimate of what kind of value that they could get out of their jewelry. Although a web site offering a free appraisal is not your best choice of appraisers, there are still a few benefits of getting one done. In this article, you will learn about some of the pro's and con's of using the Internet for jewelry appraisals.
Pros
You Can Get The Appraisal Almost Instantly
Getting an online appraisal is a very painless process. Usually, you will only need to provide a little bit of details about your jewelry. Typically, you will have to enter the weight, type, and purity information. That's about it. Once you submit the form, the results will show up almost instantly.
The Appraisal Will Not Cost You A Single Penny
You will never find an appraisal priced lower than a free appraisal! Anything that is free is worth checking out. Of course, you cannot expect a high quality appraisal, but you will get an estimated value.
You Can Determine The Estimated Value Of Your Jewelry
Since there are so many small details that go into valuing jewelry, without hiring a professional who can closely examine your jewelry, you will never know the real value of your jewelry. However, the estimate that you will get from an online appraisal will give you a general idea of what your jewelry is worth.
Cons
The Estimate Is A Very Rough Estimate
As this article mentioned in the pro's section, an online appraisal will only get you an estimate. It is a very rough estimate at that! Someone with the proper education and certifications will have to look at your jewelry under a microscope to determine the real value. Otherwise, your jewelry could be worth much more than the online appraisal told you it was. If you sell your jewelry at that price, you could lose out on a lot of money.
The Appraisal Is Not Honored By Insurance Companies
If you have a large collection of expensive jewelry, you should probably open an insurance policy to protect your collection. A free online appraisal will not be honored by the insurance company to determine your coverage and rates. Insurance companies require an appraisal from a professional who is certified.
My Recommendation
The purpose of this article was not to scare you away from getting an appraisal online, but if you want my honest recommendation, I would tell you not to even waste your time. Sure, the process is fast and free, but the estimates are so rough, they are almost pointless. Invest a little more money into your precious jewelry! Hire a professional to do a complete, hands-on, appraisal.
If you are interested learning more about jewelry appraisals, or if you would like a few tips that will help you get the most out of an appraisal, check out Jason Stepp's blog at http://www.jewelryappraisaltips.com
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