You've inherited jewelry and everyone — the jeweler, the insurance agent, the estate attorney — tells you to get it appraised. But appraisals cost money and you may have multiple pieces. You don't know if every piece needs one.
Get everything appraised. It's the responsible thing to do.
"What do you plan to do with this piece — and does that decision require an appraisal?"
Skip the appraisal for now. Photograph and document the piece. If you later decide to insure or sell, you can appraise then.
Only if you plan to insure, sell, or need documentation for estate purposes. If you're keeping pieces for sentimental reasons, an appraisal may be unnecessary. Match the appraisal type to the purpose: insurance (replacement value), resale (market value), or estate (tax/legal valuation).
When the piece is costume jewelry or has low monetary value. When you're keeping it for sentimental reasons and won't insure it separately. When the cost of the appraisal approaches or exceeds the piece's likely value. When you have no specific purpose that requires a documented value.
Typically $50-200 per piece depending on complexity. For a collection, appraisers may offer bulk rates. The cost should be proportionate to the piece's value — spending $150 to appraise a piece worth $200 doesn't make sense.
