Frequently Asked Questions

Jewellery appraisal fees vary according to the complexity of the item being appraised and the intended use of the appraisal. As professional appraisers we strive to provide thorough and detailed appraisals and charge a fair fee according to the job done.

Most items are charged on a per item basis although an hourly rate can be negotiated for certain services, such as consultations or out of office jobs.

We will provide you with an estimate of the fees for your appraisal before any work is done. See “Appraisal Rates” for more information

Single item (up to 1 hour):  $125.00

Multiple item (up to 1 hour) – 2 items:  $195.00

For more than 3 items, email or call for a quote.  Standard fees for additional items average $75.00 each.

Note: In accordance with CJA (CAP) rulings we do not charge a percentage fee based on the value of the items being appraised.

All appraisals are carried out on the same day. We will not hold your items overnight.

You can book online using our calendar, or you can call us 604-771-7794 to make an appointment

• Ask the appraiser about his or her appraisal education, professional designations and how they qualified for those designations. 
• Ask for documentation of accomplishments: An ASA-accredited appraiser will supply consumers with a qualifications statement or résumé that includes his or her job history.
• Ask if they belong to a professional appraisal society and if that society teaches, tests and accredits?
• Make sure all your fee-related questions are answered before you sign an agreement.
• Make sure the appraiser explains exactly what your appraisal report will include.

ASA-accredited appraisers provide exceptional valuation expertise as they earn their designations only after completing a rigorous course structure and peer-evaluation process that requires years of study, experience, dedication and commitment. ASA accredited appraisers follow both the professional standards set forth by the Appraisal Foundation and ASA’s own Code of Ethics and Principles of Appraisal Practice to provide a credible, objective opinion of value.

The jewelry appraisal should include the following:

Appraiser Information

Credentials
Date of appraisal
Date of examination of item (if different from date of appraisal)
Printed name and signature of appraiser or authorized representative.

Descriptions:
Name and address of person or firm for whom the appraisal was prepared
Type of item
Verification of authenticity
Quantity of pieces
Gender style (if applicable)
Metal & content analysis
Spot metals prices
Trademarks, hallmarks and quality marks
Detailed description of all stones (within limitations
– very small stones cannot be described individually)
Total gross weight of item
Photograph(s)
Currency used
Equipment used
Disclosure/limiting conditions (if applicable).

• A discussion with master appraiser Harold Lindsay on the purpose of your appraisal or report. This helps determine the nature of the appraisal.

• An estimate of charges before moving forward. Your fee is based on the time involved, or the number of pieces requiring appraisal, but not the percentage of the value.

IGL is committed to protect your valuables by providing premium same-day service and the most accurate information available for appraising jewellery and gemstones. Your valuables are never kept overnight

Find (link to map) Imperial Gem Lab conveniently located in Vancouver at the corner of Boundary and Kingsway at the Central Park Business Centre (across from Central Park and the Telus building). Metered and free parking is available around and below the building.

An appraisal report is a document that:

• Clearly states the kind of value being determined, such as fair market (used for taxes), replacement (used for insurance coverage), liquidation (used for bankruptcy or business dissolution), etc.
• Describes the property being valued.
• Details the procedures used to estimate the value; such as:
  • Analysis of comparable sales;
  • Estimation and analysis of income (if applicable) and
  • Relation of the appraisal values to a specific point in time (e.g. fair market value of the real estate as of January 1, 2009).
• Includes the signature of the appraiser responsible for validity and objectivity.
• Specifies the personal qualifications of the appraiser.

Fair Market Value as defined by U.S. Treasury regulations is “The price at which the property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither being under and compulsion to buy or sell and both having a reasonable knowledge of the relevant facts”

Fair market value is used in making appraisals for:

• Estate
• Divorce
• Probate
• Donation

“ASA” stands for the “American Society of Appraisers” and also for members with the designation of “Accredited Senior Appraiser.” 

The American Society of Appraisers (ASA) has two classes of membership: Candidate and Member. Candidates are entry-level appraisers who are not yet accredited. The Member class of accredited designations includes Accredited Member (AM), Accredited Senior Member (ASA), and Fellow Accredited Senior Appraiser (FASA). 

An appraiser must invest in academic study and hands-on, full-time experience; and must prove competency through passing qualifying examinations in valuation theory, ethics, and at least one specialty, plus peer-review approval of appraisal reports. AM designation requires two years of full-time appraising experience, and ASA designation requires five years. FASA is the highest level, only awarded to ASA-level members by the Board of Governors for notable contributions to the society and the appraisal profession.

The Registered Master Valuer designation is earned by qualified gemologists who have successfully completed the Master Valuer Program, a comprehensive appraisal program which includes learning appraisal methodology for writing appraisals of all types – insurance, estate, donation, probate. The latest trends, laws, and new technologies are all discussed in the course curriculum.

The RMV program is recognized by every responsible gem and jewelry organization in the world and is endorsed by the Canadian Jewellers Association.

Harold Lindsay is a Registered Master Valuer with the Registered Number 0 090710144.

Appraisals are done for many reasons ranging from estate planning to buying a home to determining value for insurance or tax purposes. The most important factor to be concerned with is choosing the correct appraiser to do the work.

The most common reason for obtaining an appraisal is for insurance purposes (i.e. insuring against loss, theft, or damage)

Canadian Jewellers Association has established a set of requirements and a series of practical and theoretical examinations that test the appraising skills of jewelers and gemologists. In addition to obtaining a gemologist designation from a recognized institution the applicant must provide proof of education in jewelry appraisal sciences. Upon successful completion of all criteria, these jewelers and gemologists are considered qualified and are empowered to emboss their appraisals with the following seal, signifying their title as a Certified Appraisal Professional-CJA (CAP).

Your jewelry is precious and brings you great joy, but what if one day it disappeared? Replacing your jewelry can be very expensive.

Jewellery Insurance is a prudent means of protecting yourself from such unfortunate events.

Household Insurance Policies

Your household insurance policy includes basic coverage against jewelry theft. Usually there is a maximum amount covered under this type of policy, up to approximately $5000.00 for any single event. Although jewelry appraisals are not required undera household policy, the coverage is very limited. If for instance your jewelry is stolen away from home this policy will not cover your loss.

To properly cover your jewelry against loss, theft or damage you need to insure it individually within your household policy. This is called scheduling your jewelry or adding a rider to your policy. By scheduling your items you will be able to extend your policy to cover against “all perils” such as damage to your diamond, mysterious disappearance and even theft or loss while away from you home. Scheduling your jewelry requires a Replacement Value Appraisal Report. This report should be carried out by a qualified gemologist who is experienced with jewelry valuations. Imperial Gem Lab can supply you with this service.

For further information on household insurance policies please contact your insurance agency. To source an insurance agent in your area,access the following link to the Insurance Bureau of British Columbia web site.

Tax on Inherited Property
Keeping Records Can Prevent Surprises Later
As a general rule, inherited property is non-taxable in Canada. At the time you receive your inheritance, you don’t need to report its value on your return at all. But be warned: that doesn’t mean that there are no tax consequences and nothing you need to do.

If your inheritance includes assets that could grow in value before you ultimately sell them (e.g. land, buildings, stocks or shares, precious metals or stones) you need to record their fair market value as they pass into your possession.

Avoid headaches by obtaining a legally convincing estimate of fair market value (for example, a signed letter from an experienced appraiser) when you first inherit them.

The reason is that you may someday have to pay capital gains tax on the asset if you decide to sell it, and the value at the time of inheriting the asset will be key in calculating how much tax you owe.

Let’s take a moment to understand what capital gains tax is.

A capital gain is a profit you make when you sell something you’ve had in your posession or for your own use. For example, if you buy a rare sapphire and diamond ring for $50,000 and later sell it for $75,000, you’ve made a $25,000 capital gain ($75,000-50,000).

In Canada, capital gains are treated as a kind of income, and like all income, they’re taxable. That’s called the capital gains tax.

When you sell something you originally purchased, it’s easy to calculate the original fair market value: you just have to show your original receipt. (Assuming you purchased it from a stranger, and not a close friend or family member who gave you a bargain price.)

So what happens if you sell a ring that you inherited? In other words, in a case where you paid nothing for the ring originally?

The key factor in calculating capital gain on something is the difference between its its fair market value when you first obtained it and its value at the time of sale. Whether obtained through purchase or inheritance, it is the value at the time of gaining posession that matters, not the purchase price.

By the time you’re ready to sell the asset and calculate the capital gain, it may be too late to go back and figure out what its fair market value was at the time you came to possess it.

So when you inherit any asset that could increase in value before eventually being sold, it’s important to get some kind of credible proof of its value at the time it passed into your hands. This may mean bringing in a third-party appraiser.

Without proof of the fair market value, you may be forced to accept the Canada Revenue Agency’s estimate of its value, which could work against you if their estimate is low.

Canadian Jewellers Association (CJA) recommends that you select an appraiser who is a Certified Appraisal Professional-CJA (CAP). CJA is the national jewelry trade association that builds trust, awareness, understanding and desirability for Canadian jewelry products. CJA is the voice of the Canadian jewelry industry. A full list of current CAP-CJA members can be obtained by visiting the CJA website located at www.canadianjewellers.com.