Certified Gemological Appraisal Services
Richard Huntington, ASA
Master Gemologist Appraiser®
Over 30 years of Experience
in the Jewelry Industry
Accredited & Proven Expertise
Richard Huntington, through passion and dedication, has acquired the education and expertise to be certified by the most prestigious and accredited organizations in the gems & jewelry industry.
Certified Gemologist Appraiser,
American Gem Society Member (AGS)
An elite organization of jewelers committed to uphold the highest standards of ethics, knowledge and consumer protection
The highest certification obtainable with the American Gem Society. Requires yearly re-certification.
Master Gemologist Appraiser
American Society of Appraisers (ASA)
An ASA designation requiring re-certification examinations and continuing gemological and appraisal education including USPAP.
The American Society of Appraisers (ASA) is an international valuation organization that teaches, tests, accredits and refers professional appraisers.
Graduate Gemologist
Gemological Institute of America - a world-renown education center
Certified Gemological Laboratory
Requires extensive gemological equipment and library with graded master diamonds
Ask about our new Sarin laser system for analyzing large diamonds.
Professional appraisals from Huntington Jewelers include evaluation of items listed below, plus additional examination of colored stones and mountings.
Frequently Asked Questions about Jewelry Appraisals
Why is it important to have a qualified appraisal when insuring my diamonds and fine jewelry?
The reason it is important to have an appraisal by a certified gemologist appraiser is because the detailed appraisal is an accurate systemized description of the quality of your jewelry and diamonds. It is your protection when insuring your valuables because it ensures that you receive accurate compensation for lost or stolen jewelry without overpaying for your premium.
What are the different types and uses of jewelry appraisals?
There are different "markets" that affect jewelry and diamond values. An appraisal is different for each type of market. We will always help determine which appraisal is right for your situation. The most common is Retail Replacement Value, used for insurance purposes. Other appraisal types include Estate Value, Resale Used Value, Pawnshop Market Value, etc.
I recently bought a very large solitaire diamond. What types of precautions besides insurance can I take to protect my diamond?
There are other precautions to take for large diamonds, first always use common sense don't bring your diamond jewelry to dangerous or unfamiliar places. Secondly, you should have your diamond graded by an independent diamond-grading lab such as GIA or AGS and have it laser inscribed on the girdle so that it can be easily identified with magnification. Another useful tool is to get a Sarin Analysis for any diamond 1.00 ct and over. Diamond grading plots, laser inscriptions and Sarin Analysis are all unique characteristics for authorities to be able to quickly identify your diamond.
I want to sell my large diamond solitaire. Should I have an appraisal first?
An appraisal can certainly be helpful when trying to sell a large diamond so that a fair value can be established in this ever-changing market. It would also be wise to have it sent to either the GIA 's Gem Trade Laboratory or the AGS American Gem Trade Laboratory. Most people are familiar with these independent diamond-grading labs and would trust the information given on them.
There was a death in the family and I'm required to get a probate appraisal. How is this different from the usual retail jewelry appraisals?
Appraisals for probate value gem and jewelry in their current condition and in markets that typically would buy or sell that type of jewelry; for example an estate market, a liquidation market, a pawnshop market and others depending on the condition and quality of the gems and jewelry. This is very different from the usual Retail Replacement Value appraisal which values jewelry for the brand new retail price for insurance replacements.
