Take a Look!

Inspecting a piece of jewelry as part of the appraisal process seems like a no brainer, but the necessity of performing a personal inspection is not as clear as some might think. The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) never demand that a physical inspection be done, despite what many assume. In fact, there are many reasons why one is not performed or required. Let’s take a look.

The identification of an item usually requires an inspection-whether by eyesight or with the use of specialized equipment. Small items like gemstones or metal components can be viewed with a loupe, but then the data may be facilitated by use of microscopes and more sensitive tools. The data achieved may not fully identify or authenticate an item, but it certainly provides a clearer picture of what is being examined. The better the instruments, the better or more accurate the identification.

NAJA Members may continue reading in the Newsletter Q2 2025:

https://najaappraisers.com/members/newsletters/