Does jewelry sold on eBay need an appraisal?
Dave’s Answer: That’s a very interesting question, actually, particularly because jewelry is only valuable based on its perceived value. I mean, really, why would a crystalized lump of coal that’s been transformed over millions of years from intense pressure be worth so darn much that a piece the size of a gumball could be more valuable than your car? But I’ll be fair. Gems and jewelry definitely does have value and one of the best ways to ascertain that fair market value is through the International Gemological Institute. Their fees range from about $35 for an appraisal of some relatively generic jewelry pieces to hundreds of dollars for rare diamonds and other valuable gemstones. They describe their jewelry appraisal thusly: “Accurate Gemological Identification Reports are available to anyone desiring a detailed description of a specific item of jewelry. These reports provide reliable details such as the identification, content and weight of the gems and precious metals contained in
