On call jewelry and coin appraisal service
Randall Caverly
APPRAiSALS
IN PERSON
cEll: call or text 360 280 5094
My jewelry appraisal service is a portable lab that comes to you, anywhere in SW Washington, so your jewelry is never out of your possession. I routinely come to your home or office, but we can meet in a public place, if you prefer. I can offer you advise by phone, text, or E-mail, and, for larger estates, I will travel anywhere in Washington. I have 45+ years experience and gemological training in the jewelry industry, precious metals, and collectible coins.
My goal is to help you to accurately insure your jewelry in case of loss. Insurance companies require a new appraisal every 5 years, to keep replacement values accurate. You don't want to pay a premium for a payout that isn't enough to replace the lost item, or based on an inflated replacement cost. Jewelry metals and gemstones do fluctuate in value over the years.
My basic appraisal services are unusual in that I deal directly with you--and I will come to you, or meet you--in western Washington, for on the spot evaluations, while you watch. I have 45+ years of training, experience, and references for my service and background. My fees start at $50 per written appraisal, $100 minimum per appointment, and less per item for multiple appraisals.
I will appraise or buy, coins and bullion. The story is the same, I will give you my honest opinion based on my years of experience. U.S. coins and bullion coins are a unit of trade that are bought and sold as they are. They are not melted down, and you shouldn't be offered the meltdown prices that scrap buyers pay, for collectible coins, or bullion.
Diamond valuation is based on 10X
Every diamond has natural and manmade imperfections, from creation in the earth and from the cutting and polishing processes of man. My appraisals include a micrograph of your center diamond, with notations to grade, and positively identify your stone.
Micrographs provide a positive identification of your gem in case of loss, and recovery.
- Jewelry is wearable art made from natural and manmade materials, and natural materials altered by man. Gemology is an ever changing technology, where gems used to create jewelry are not always what they seem to be. Beautiful, vibrant colors are rare and expensive in natural gems, like sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and diamonds, Not so beautiful natural gems are often enhanced to add beauty, but do not command the premium value of the naturally beautiful gems. My job is to determine what has given your gem it's beauty, and there by determine its value.Randy is constantly studying the new enhancement techniques
- Everyone owns jewelry, either purchased, gifted, or inherited. The real value of these pieces is the emotional history they represent to the owner. My journey is to attach the identity and dollar value to these pieces, so they can be properly insured against loss, evenly distributed between heirs, or help the owner decide how to restore, or sell them in an informed manner. What may look like costume remnants to you, often turns out to be gold and silver.Randy knows his way around inherited "jewelry boxes".
- Beautiful diamonds are owned in settings that the owner inherited and would never wear, or are no longer in style, and again, are no longer worn. I love to show folks that diamonds are forever, and putting your old diamond in a new setting puts it back on your finger, or makes a great heirloom gift that your children, or grandchildren, will wear.Randy does remounts, and restorations
How the appraiser became a buyer
I spent many years in retail selling and managing in the jewelry industry, then became an industry rep, selling jewelry and watches to the jewelers. I began taking courses in gemology in the 1970's from a need to know about what I was selling. In the 1990's I left sales to become strictly an appraiser for consumers, and jewelers. Part of my job was to tell folks what they could expect to sell their worn out, broken, or unwanted scrap gold and silver jewelry for. I told them what I expected they would be paid, based on my past history of paying 80% of melt value. When they informed me they were getting offered less than half of that from the current "cash for gold" buyers, I said I would pay them the 80% value I had quoted. I will always tell you the whole story of the ways you can market your unwanted jewelry and coins. You generally make more money selling items as jewelry to another consumer, but that requires more time and effort on your part.