Find out how much that Valentine's Day gift is really worth
TRI-CITIES -- Trying to get rid of that ex's old Valentine's day gift? You're not alone. Old jewelry could be worth more than you think. But if you're not careful, you could be trusting the word of a gemologist who simply printed a degree at home. For Sue Bateman, it's more than just the glimmer and shine.
She tells KEPR, "I like my jewelry and I'm looking forward to leaving it to my grandkids, my daughters."
As Valentine's Day approaches, February is a busy time for appraisers. And even if you've had your jewels appraised before, it's worth getting them checked out again.
"Bigger gold pieces, gold coins, chains.. Those things have tripled and quadrupled in price over the past 5, 6, 7 years," says Dennis Schoemeberg, appraiser at Touchstone Jewelers in Kennewick.
But how can you find someone you trust to get a fair price? These days anyone can become a gemologist online, print out your certificate and issue appraisals right out of your home. Because of this, appraisals often vary wherever you go.
Dennis explains, "Unfortunately you really don't know if they're good. You have to put the faith in that they're a gemologist. They should have a diploma."
Whether it's your family diamonds or just your scrap metal it's good to shop around to different appraisers to see what you can get. But it's important to know that the highest price might not be your best one.
"What happens is your insurance company charges you based on the value of it so you wanna make sure somebody's not inflating the value on it just to make you feel good," he says.
If you're insuring your jewelry, take it to a jeweler, not a home.
If you're looking to sell it and still have an official appraisal, it'd worth it to shop around. And for people like Sue, she's using appraisal time in the jewelry store to show her husband some investment options for next week.
Sue smiles, "It's a great time, Valentine's Day is wonderful."
A legitimate appraisal should cost you about 25-dollars per piece and should only take a few days. If you go to the jeweler you bought it from, it is usually free of charge
She tells KEPR, "I like my jewelry and I'm looking forward to leaving it to my grandkids, my daughters."
As Valentine's Day approaches, February is a busy time for appraisers. And even if you've had your jewels appraised before, it's worth getting them checked out again.
"Bigger gold pieces, gold coins, chains.. Those things have tripled and quadrupled in price over the past 5, 6, 7 years," says Dennis Schoemeberg, appraiser at Touchstone Jewelers in Kennewick.
But how can you find someone you trust to get a fair price? These days anyone can become a gemologist online, print out your certificate and issue appraisals right out of your home. Because of this, appraisals often vary wherever you go.
Dennis explains, "Unfortunately you really don't know if they're good. You have to put the faith in that they're a gemologist. They should have a diploma."
Whether it's your family diamonds or just your scrap metal it's good to shop around to different appraisers to see what you can get. But it's important to know that the highest price might not be your best one.
"What happens is your insurance company charges you based on the value of it so you wanna make sure somebody's not inflating the value on it just to make you feel good," he says.
If you're insuring your jewelry, take it to a jeweler, not a home.
If you're looking to sell it and still have an official appraisal, it'd worth it to shop around. And for people like Sue, she's using appraisal time in the jewelry store to show her husband some investment options for next week.
Sue smiles, "It's a great time, Valentine's Day is wonderful."
A legitimate appraisal should cost you about 25-dollars per piece and should only take a few days. If you go to the jeweler you bought it from, it is usually free of charge
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