Table of Contents

European Designer Jewelry 138
Jewelry from Contemporary Designers 139
Costume Jewelry 142
CHAPTER 6
VALUING WATCHES, COIN JEWELRY,
CARVINGS, AND OTHER ARTICLES
Vintage and Contemporary Wristwatches 144
Pocket Watches 151
Coin Jewelry 155
Erotica 160
Carvings 161
Hardstone Carvings and
Gemstone Sculptures 170
Silver Flatware and Holloware 176
CHAPTER 7
LEGAL AND ETHICAL ASPECTS OF
APPRAISING
The Appraiser's Role in Gemstone Barter 183
Investment Gems—Real or Racket? 184
Survival Techniques for Expert Witnesses 185
CHAPTER 8
PREPARING THE APPRAISAL DOCUMENT
The Appraisal Report 192
Developing a Professional Brochure 193
APPENDIX
Illustrations of Cutting Styles 202
Size-to-Weight Conversion Charts
Standard-Size Cabochon Gems 206
Opal Cabochons 206
Caliber-Cut Gemstones 207
Weight System Conversion Charts
Pennyweight-to-Gram Conversion 208
The Troy System 209
Avoir and Troy Weights 209
The Carat System 209
Historic Gold Prices from 1833–1997 209
Diamond Valuation Chart 210
Weight Estimation Formulas
Diamonds 211
Colored Stones 211
Recommended Report Forms
Gem Identification Report 212
Quality Analysis: Colored Stones 213
Quality Analysis: Opals 214
Quality Analysis: Change-of-Color Stones 215
Quality Analysis: Pearls 216
Quality Analysis: Cat's Eye and Star Stones 217
Jewelry Appraisal Update 218
Watch Worksheet 219
Sample IRS Valuation: Donation Appraisal 220
GLOSSARY
Metal Finishes 221
Opal Terms 221
Pearl Terms 222
Antique and Period Jewelry Items 223
BIBLIOGRAPHY 226
SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 229
CREDITS 231
INDEX 232

About the Author

Anna M. Miller, G.G., RMV, was a jewelry historian, author, lecturer, and instructor. The developer of The MasterValuer Program, a jewelry appraisal course that has been taught worldwide, she consulted with individuals and companies on buying, selling, appraising and interpreting the jewelry arts. Miller was the author of five books on gems and jewelry, including Gems & Jewelry Appraising: Techniques of Professional Practice, the first comprehensive work about gem and jewelry appraising; and Illustrated Guide to Jewelry Appraising: Antique, Period & Modern (both GemStone Press).