Report Writing Standards Update

While the current edition of USPAP (2024 Edition, with no end date) remains unchanged in the two years since its publication, and the Report Writing Standards did receive an update about one year ago, the NAJA team saw the need for a few minor updates to the Standards, which took effect as of December 1, 2025.

Similar to the 2024 update, these changes are largely semantic and were made for clarity, but also include several additions to the diamond description section, mainly to assist appraisers in adequately describing synthetic diamonds.  We have also included Fair Market Value guidelines, categorized by a report’s intended use, at the end of the Standards.

The updates have been described below, section by section.  The new Report Writing Standards for Appraisal Content© are available for download through the NAJA website, here: https://najaappraisers.com/members/members-contributed-materials/3/.

OUTLINE: No Changes.

SCOPE OF WORK: The following optional element was added: “Statement referencing appraiser’s general procedures for screening for synthetic diamonds – should be included any time diamonds are present in the report.”

ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITING TERMS AND CONDITIONS: The word “terms” was added, for legal clarity. 

An “Instructions” paragraph was added to more clearly communicate that the ALTC should be altered to fit each appraiser’s particular practice and each report they produce. 

UNUSUAL OR EXTRAORIDINARY ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITING CONDITIONS: No Changes.

PRIVACY/CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT: An “Instructions” paragraph was added to more clearly communicate that the statement should be altered to fit each appraiser’s particular practice.

DESCRIPTION AND VALUE CONCLUSION: The name of the section has been changed from “Body of Appraisal Report.”

The following note has been added at the end of both the Gemstone Description and Diamond Description sections: “Important Note:  Insurance companies’ specific requirements related to gemstone and diamond descriptions, particularly with regard to size, may be stricter than those outlined here.  It is the appraiser’s responsibility to understand and employ these requirements on a case-by-case basis.”

Specific, less-stringent requirements have been outlined for synthetic diamonds.  An alternative, simplified description system for synthetic diamonds has been included, should the appraiser wish to utilize it in lieu of GIA or IGI grading.  Use of this system is at the appraiser’s discretion and is not mandatory.

ADDENDA: No Changes.

APPRAISER’S QUALIFICATIONS: No Changes.

DEFINITIONS/GLOSSARY: No Changes.

CORRECT NAJA DESIGNATION USE: This section has been added for reference on how to correctly express NAJA membership levels in reports and signature lines.

FAIR MARKET VALUE & MARKET VALUE GUIDELINES: This section has been fully updated and is now incorporated into the RWS from the supplementary form introduced at the 2024 Mid-Year Conference.  The guidelines are categorized by the report’s intended use.

As stated in the introduction, “promoting excellence in the appraisal profession, we believe it is incumbent upon each member to follow the NAJA Code of Ethics and strict report writing standards for professional conduct.  As NAJA members uphold and model these standards, the public will continue to justifiably recognize NAJA as the premier jewelry appraisal organization and trusted resource for their appraisal needs.”