Have you ever wondered how much that family heirloom is really worth? Are you curious about that diamond engagement ring you bought several years ago and its value?
Or, perhaps – less excitingly – your insurance company is badgering you for an appraisal report before they even consider insuring your fine jewelry.
If you answered “yes” to any of these scenarios, you must get your jewelry appraised online.
Renowned for being hassle-free and low-cost, an online appraisal can save you considerable time and money.
Here’s a rundown of our top-rated jewelry appraisal services you can find online.
Getting a jewelry appraisal is essential for two reasons. First, any insurance provider will generally require an official appraisal before they will insure anything valued at $5,000 or more.
Second, if you plan to sell jewelry, an appraisal is needed to get the fair market value to ensure the price is right.
We’re all busy and short on time, and an online jewelry appraisal offers a quick and convenient way to get a valuation report for insurance purposes or to understand the resale value.
Typically, an online appraisal service will request that you do the following:
If you have all the required information ready, the whole process can take you minutes. Most appraisal services offer a 24-hour turnaround time, too, so if you’re in a hurry, you can get what you need in double-quick time.
Cost:
The BriteCo appraisal process involves an in-person video call with an expert appraiser. This provides a rare opportunity to have any concerns addressed in real time. Additionally, BriteCo’s prices are incredibly affordable for such a high-quality and comprehensive service.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
BriteCo is one of the top jewelry insurers on the market. It has established itself as affordable while providing exceptional service. Forbes rated the company as the best jewelry insurer for 2023, and it is backed by an AM Best A+ rated insurer. Bonus points: BriteCo has an incredible number of positive online reviews.
BriteCo’s jewelry appraisals offer the same high-quality service. We love that you get a face-to-face meeting with a jewelry expert appraiser, as we think it’s vital that you have all your questions answered properly. Moreover, to ensure your valuables are always accurately insured, BriteCo also offers regular reappraisal services, keeping in line with market fluctuations and changes in jewelry values.
After the meeting, you get a detailed appraisal report within 24 hours, which includes the replacement value appraisal and information about the item(s). The report provides gemstone or diamond grades, color, clarity, and the type of precious metals used in each piece.
All in all, it’s an excellent service, ultra-convenient, and super affordable!
Cost:
If you prefer an in-person appraisal from a local jeweler, Jewelers Connect will arrange it all for you online. With appraisal offers from up to five jewelers, you can pick the best place to have your jewelry appraised according to your needs.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Rather than hiking around to find a local jewelry store for your appraisal, why not take advantage of Jewelers Connect hybrid service?
You can submit your appraisal request via the Jewelers Connect website, and they will send you several quotes from in-person appraisal services. Although you will have to send off your jewelry, this allows you to get an entirely accurate appraisal in a much more convenient way.
Additionally, you get control over how much you pay because you have several quotes to pick from.
While this service costs more than pure online appraisals, you’ll get a true estimated retail value plus professional photos that the jeweler will take on your behalf.
Cost:
Valuemystuff allows you to bulk purchase appraisals which makes it incredibly affordable and easy to get appraisals for large numbers of items. Whether you submit one item or 100, you can get your jewelry reports in as little as 24 hours.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
ValueMyStuff is a large online appraisal service that appraises all kinds of items, including jewelry. This service is ideal for estate sales and clearances thanks to the ability to buy appraisal credits in bulk.
The online process to get your items appraised is simple, and you can pick between a 24-hour or 48-hour turnaround (a 24-hour turnaround uses more credits), giving you more flexibility.
We particularly like that 58 of ValueMyStuff’s 62 experts have Sotheby’s or Christie’s heritage, which means you get top-notch appraisers for a very reasonable price.
The company does not buy items directly, but they can put you in touch with their auction house affiliates if you want to sell your jewelry.
Cost:
A long-running online appraisal service, Jewelry Reports lets you choose your turnaround time. If you’re not in a hurry, you can save over 40% compared with the cost of their 24-hour service.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Most online appraisal services base their prices on the number of items you submit. Jewelry Reports prices are based on how fast you want your appraisal, so you’ll pay less if you’re not in a hurry.
During the process, you’ll get paired with a jewelry expert who will work with you to ensure you are happy with everything and understand what’s happening. After, you get a PDF report with the hypothetical value. If you need a buyer, Jewelry Reports can help you with that, too.
The streamlined process makes it simple and easy for anyone to get their jewelry valued, even if you’re not great with technology!
Cost:
When it comes to prestige and international recognition, you don’t get anything higher than Sotheby’s. Recognized by international insurance brokers, government agencies, and financial institutions, Sotheby’s provides a best-in-class service for high-value item sales.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Everyone has heard of Sotheby’s. Globally, it’s one of the longest-running auction houses, operates in over 40 countries, and has become synonymous with fine, luxury, and high-end art pieces and jewelry.
Thanks to Sotheby’s extensive network, you will easily find a buyer for your jewelry. In-house experts will appraise your pieces for free with the obligation that you will use Sotheby’s to sell them afterward.
Whether you’re looking for a private collector, a museum, a corporation, or a celebrity buyer, Sotheby’s acts with the strictest confidence and provides the highest level of service you can find.
Although unsuitable for insurance purposes, Sotheby’s appraisals include estimates for sale and ongoing discreet support during the sales process.
Cost:
Combining appraisals with a jewelry marketplace, Mearto offers a convenient solution if you’re actively looking to sell your jewelry. Simply get your fair market value appraisal and list it on the Mearto auction site.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Whether you want a diamond ring or a piece of antique furniture appraised, Mearto can provide. Therefore, it is an ideal option if you’re looking to sell more than just jewelry.
You can also access Mearto’s database of previous auctions by signing up for a free account. The database provides you with excellent insight into what your jewelry might fetch.
Mearto is partnered with Catawiki – an online auction site specializing in art pieces, jewelry, and high-value objects. If you want to sell your jewelry, you can do so through Mearto and reach interested potential buyers more easily.
Diamond Buyers International homepage
Cost:
A great option if you have loose diamonds or diamond jewelry that you want to sell. Diamond Buyers International will give you a free appraisal and will offer a price to buy. If you refuse their offer, they will ship your diamonds right back, free of charge!
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Although Diamond Buyers International specialize in diamonds, you can send in any type of fine jewelry for an appraisal. It’s fantastic, given that it’s a free service without any obligation to sell your diamond rings or precious jewels at the price they offer.
We also like the handy online calculator you can use to get an instant retail price for your diamonds. The calculator checks your diamond’s characteristics against buyer demand, peak season pricing, and the company’s inventory to offer a fair price.
Doing this gives you a good idea of your gem’s worth before you send it by mail for an appraisal.
| Company | Customer Rating | Costs from | Turnaround Time |
| BriteCo | 4.9 (Google: 637 reviews) | $26 + | 24 hours |
| Jewelers Connect | 5 (Google: 14 reviews) | $50 + | Unclear |
| ValueMyStuff | 4.5 (SiteJabber: 1,905 reviews) | $28 + | 24 hours |
| Jewelry Reports | 5 (Google: 10 reviews) | $29 + | 24 – 72 hours |
| Sotheby’s | 4.4 (Facebook 1,223 reviews) | Free | 15 – 20 days |
| Mearto | 4.3 (Facebook: 43 reviews) | $50 + | 48 hours |
| J & M Jewelry | 4.8 (Google: 21 reviews) | $150 per appraisal, $50 per reappraisal | 24 hours |
| Diamond Buyers International | 4.8 (Google: 48 reviews) | Free | 24 hours after jewelry received |
ValueMyStuff.com has an app for both iOS and Android that you can use to get your jewelry online appraisals.
Yes, jewelry appraisals are legit and can be used for insurance purposes or to understand the resell value of the jewelry. However, remember that the fair market value given by the appraisal might not reflect what people are willing to pay for it.
BriteCo charges $26 for the initial item, with a 50% discount on additional items. For example, if you submit five items, you will be charged $26 for one item and $13 for the remaining four items totaling $78.
The best way to understand the value of your jewelry is to get it appraised by a certified appraiser. Our top recommendation for this service is BriteCo.
An appraisal can be less accurate than an evaluation and is generally used for insurance purposes or to understand the replacement value of the piece. An evaluation will more accurately reflect what someone is willing to pay for it.
Navigating finances and financial protection can be tricky, especially if you are dealing with something expensive such as an engagement ring or a family heirloom. Whether selling or insuring, this guide will allow you to make an informed decision and get a genuine appraisal.
For more helpful and informative articles, check out The Groom Club for more. We cover everything wedding-related, from the proposal to the wedding and beyond.
Remember to subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated with our new articles.
