Appraisal Services
We are thrilled to now be offering appraisal services at Maejean Vintage! We have two options: either an add on appraisal on items purchased in our store, or appraisals on clients' outside items. To get started, please email kristanwinand@maejeanvintage.com to determine what kind of appraisal best suits your jewelry needs.
About Appraisals
What is a jewelry appraisal?
A jewelry appraisal is an assessment of a single piece of jewelry, providing a description, gemstone identities, measurements and weight estimations, diamond grading information, photos, and an estimated value. The type of value differs depending on the intended use of the appraisal.
It’s important to remember that these gemstone details are estimations and may not be exact due to the limitations of the mounting.
What kind of appraisal is best for me?
At Maejean Vintage, we appraise jewelry for three main purposes:
Insurance Replacement- This appraisal value is used by insurance companies to determine your premium, ensuring your piece is covered for up to the estimated value.
Fair Market Value For IRS Tax Purposes- This appraisal value is used in the case of a deceased individual’s estate settlement requirements.
Fair Market Value For Equitable Distribution Purposes - This appraisal value is used in cases where an individual wants to know values of their jewelry in order to equally “divvy” out their pieces to loved ones.
Does this value need to be updated?
Yes. It is recommended to update your appraisal every 3 to 5 years. With the fluctuations in the gold market and the influence of lab grown diamonds in the diamond industry, among other factors, it’s very important to keep your appraisals up-to-date.
Is there a difference between an insurance replacement appraisal on an item purchased at Maejean Vintage and a customer’s non-MJV item?
When we perform an appraisal on an item purchased at Maejean Vintage, the value listed represents the cost to purchase something similar specifically from MJV, rather than researching the broader secondary market, as would be done for other vintage items. Both report types contain the same detailed information about the item being appraised.
Where should I get my jewelry insured?
There are multiple options of companies to insure your jewelry. It’s always most beneficial to use a company that understands jewelry appraisals and diamond grading language. You can check with your homeowner’s insurance company and / or Jeweler’s Mutual.
What items should I have appraised?
For insurance replacement, we recommend appraising items valued at $1,000 and up. This is a personal preference based upon how much you are willing to pay out of pocket to replace it.
I live out of state, can I ship you my items for appraisal?
Yes, we appraise jewelry from out-of-state within the United States. Please contact us (kristanwinand@maejeanvintage.com) if you wish to mail items for appraisal, so that the appraiser can contact you with further information.
Can I use my appraisal as a tool to sell my jewelry?
Typically, an appraisal is not for resale purposes. Many times, your buyer will be a business who purchases jewelry for resale on the secondary retail market or for scrap purposes. The amount of money you will get for it is significantly less than what was originally paid, even from what that item is currently selling for new. The cost of an appraisal will greatly reduce the amount you will make on your sale. The amount the buyer is willing to pay is up to them, making the value on an appraisal obsolete. The best suggestion is to take your jewelry to multiple reputable buyers to get quotes to compare for consideration.
Do you offer while-you-wait services? If not, what is the turnaround time?
Currently, we do not offer while-you-wait services. At this time, our turnaround time on up to 3 pieces of jewelry is 3 weeks from the date we receive it to the date we ship it back to you. For more than 3 pieces, please email kristanwinand@maejeanvintage.com for a turnaround time.
Nuestra historia
Impulsadas por una obsesión de toda la vida por todo lo antiguo y antiguo, las hermanas Laura Mae y Amanda Jean fundaron Maejean Vintage en Etsy en 2010 en el sótano de sus padres. El dúo de hermanas aparentemente nació con una afinidad por encontrar tesoros, a menudo donde otros lamentablemente desechan. La misión de salvar joyas de valor incalculable es la esencia de Maejean Vintage. A menudo, en el mundo de la joyería, las piezas se funden y destruyen por sus metales preciosos, ¡y Laura y Amanda siempre están listas para interceptarlas! Maejean Vintage tiene su propio joyero interno que hace un trabajo increíble restaurando joyas que de otro modo quedarían destruidas. ¡A lo largo de los años, MJV creció más allá de sus sueños más locos! Las hermanas ahora tienen más de una década de experiencia en la industria de la joyería y completaron cursos rigurosos y trabajos de laboratorio en el prestigioso Instituto Gemológico de América. Las hermanas Gemólogas Graduadas, junto con su potencia exclusivamente femenina, aportan conocimiento, innovación y un estilo moderno a la industria de la joyería antigua. Ahora tienen una hermosa oficina en la capital de las antigüedades de los Estados Unidos (Lancaster, PA), con cinco empleadas increíbles. La liga de siete mujeres se inspira constantemente en las reliquias antiguas que llegan a sus manos y su misión es encontrar hogares para siempre donde estas piezas sean apreciadas para toda la vida. Laura y Amanda siempre supieron que querían una carrera que empoderara a las mujeres, ¡y comenzar un negocio en Etsy les ha permitido hacer precisamente eso! Este pequeño pero feroz negocio sustenta a siete hogares diferentes y, además, la misión de Maejean es retribuir a la comunidad local. Cada temporada navideña nos comprometemos a donar una parte de nuestros ingresos a organizaciones sin fines de lucro.
Kristan is a Graduate Gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America and Certified Member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers. Kristan is a jewelry appraiser and designer and has been in the jewelry industry for over two decades. She brings a trained and trustworthy eye to your jewelry. She looks forward to connecting with clients and offering independent appraisals of personal jewelry, or add on appraisals for items at Maejean Vintage.
