Estate jewelry appraisal: costume vs fine, from photos — not a melt ticket
A mixed jewelry box is not one melt number. Marks, construction, stones, and completeness decide costume versus fine. This page is for inherited jewelry you need to document, insure, or divide — not a house-value estimate.
Not for: A bullion desk, a GIA laboratory, or a promise that a carrier will accept a remote PDF.
Default: Insurance $99. Ask the carrier first. If they want replacement value for a rider, use $99. One inherited object for records or family division is $59. A mixed jewelry box is a special-projects quote. Tax and estate files start at $399 as case review.
Personal property only. We do not claim USPAP certification, insurer approval, or court acceptance. Tax $399 is case review. This page’s hero is Insurance $99.
Comparables for an inherited jewelry box. The signed report cites sold personal-property evidence for the same job. This page does not publish a live auction grid or invented lot prices. Costume and fine pieces do not share a comparable set.
Match these: Same metal, construction, marks, and completeness; The same value basis the assignment asked for (replacement vs keep-file); Sold evidence, not a shop window
Do not use as comps: Melt tickets and pawn offers; Asking prices and “retail” screenshots; A fine-jewelry sale used as a costume comp
Costume vs fine before you split the box. Photograph costume and fine pieces separately. Family stories do not settle metal or stones. Marks, clasps, construction, and missing parts do.
What to photograph. Front, back, clasp, inside shank, hallmarks, and any damage. Include scale. Boxes, receipts, and old papers help. A JPEG is not a diamond grade.
Insurance rider vs family division. If an insurer asked, this page’s hero is $99. If you only need a signed keep-file for one object, $59. CPA or Form 706 contents: $399 case review on /estate — not automatic IRS qualification.
Questions
Will this page list sold lots for my inherited box?
No. Live auction comps are selected per object in the signed PDF. This page states match rules and links sample reports for citation format — it is not an auction-search grid.
Is costume jewelry appraised the same as fine jewelry?
No. Construction, marks, stones, and demand differ. Photograph both, but do not treat a costume lot as a fine-jewelry melt. Insurance $99 after you ask the carrier; one signed object record is $59.
How much does an estate jewelry appraisal cost here?
Insurance replacement value $99. One signed object report $59. Tax and estate case review $399. A jewelry box or mixed lot is a quote. No published rush dollar.
Can you tell gold from costume in a photo?
Often when marks, construction, and wear are visible. Some metals and treatments still need in-person testing. We refund if the file cannot support the ordered work.
Should I take the jewelry to a pawn shop first?
Not if you need a signed opinion. Photograph first. A counter offer is not an appraisal and is not this product.
Can Instant Screener settle an inherited jewelry box?
No. Instant Screener is a $9 unsigned first read. A rider needs the $99 insurance lane after you ask the carrier.
Does this count as a federal qualified appraisal for tax filing?
No. $399 tax/estate is case review, not an automatic federal qualified appraisal, and not tax advice. This page’s hero is insurance $99.
Start $99 insurance jewelry report
Jewelry and watch hub
Estate contents — $399 case review
Mixed jewelry box quote
Insurance sample — citation format, not a jewelry object