Complimentary Consultations
We have appraised and or purchased over $687,000,000 of items.
Appraisal Services
Velvet Box Society offers comprehensive appraisal services by Gemologists who are Graduates of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Our appraisers are highly trained specialists in the areas of antique and estate jewelry, buying and evaluations, as well as insurance replacements. We follow a strict code of ethics and are committed to promoting responsible business practices in a clear and accountable manner throughout the jewelry industry. Our services include:
- Pre- and Post- purchase evaluations
- Insurance appraisals
- Tax, estate and probate appraisals
- Liquidation and inventory appraisals
- Grading reports for diamonds and gemstones
- Gemstone identification
- Expert witness testimony
- Forensic and damage reports
- Private consultations
- Diamond investment sales and purchases
- Museum Appraisals
- Pre Auction Appraisals
Appraisal Documents
An appraisal can be done on any item of jewelry, timepiece, or coin regardless of the composition, style, or condition. The purpose of an appraisal is to assign a precise dollar value for an item, often for insurance purposes. An appraisal might also be necessary to settle an estate or other valuation procedures or also be used to verify an item's true market value before making a purchase. Since the market values change, we recommend having jewelry appraisals updated approximately every two years.
We include:
We include:
- Weights, measures, and details of each piece
- Gemstones are identified, graded, measured, and described in detail.
- Certificates will be copied, provided or mentioned if possible.
- Metal content will be determined including purity, type, color, weight, finish, style etc.
- Photo-micrographs (photos through the microscope) are available if needed
- Grading systems and any special terminology as well as appraisal types will be named
Laboratory Reports
A laboratory or grading report describes a gemstone or diamond. Reports may differ for diamonds and colored gems, but documentation usually includes specifics about carat weight and dimensions, color and clarity grades, and items relating to the gemstone's cut and shape. We offer the capability of providing you with a report from the worlds foremost authority in gemology: GIA (The Gemological Institute Of America) as well as other notable Gemological Laboratories such as AGL (American Gemological Laboratory), Mason Kay and others.
Some of Our Services
AuthenticationFind out if your jewelry is antique, a reproduction, a marriage, genuine, or counterfeit. This does not include Metal or Gem testing for most items. This service is good for items from the late 1500’s to the 2020's.
*Some items may require advanced testing. Service Costs: Verbal Historical Evaluation: $25 Written Historical Evaluation: $95 Maker Identification: $175 (hallmark help) Designer Authentication: $250 Verbal Hallmark Evaluation: $175 |
AppraisalAppraisals can be for your insurance provider, liquidation purposes, estate purposes, or market purposes. Our free appraisals for liquidation purposes (if you'd like to sell your items) will not come written however the other types of appraisals come with a full write up. Our Team of experts are happy to evaluate: Coins, Gold, Silver, Diamonds, Gemstones, Minerals, Jewelry, Silver flatware and hollowware, currency and more.
Service Costs: Per Item written: $75 (insurance, estate, or market purposes) NOTE: Items sold to us after written appraisal- appraisal fees credited Hourly written: (4 items per hour) $175 (if for legal purposes travel time not included) NOTE: Items sold to us after written appraisal- appraisal fees credited Liquidation: FREE- for a verbal offer to purchase your items. What We Purchase |
Gem Identification & Metal AnalysisAre you interested in finding out if your jewelry is gold, or with natural gemstones? Often times you may not need a full appraisal and just have interest in a bit more information. We offer these testing services for a less expensive cost than a full appraisal or authentication
Service Costs: Verbal Gem ID: $50 Written Gem ID: $75 Submit to a Lab: *Price varies based on Service and laboratory type we use the services of GIA, AGL, Mason Kay and others General Metal Purity: $40 (verbal) XRF Metallic Analysis: $50 (determines precious metals only) (verbal) XRF Metallic Analysis: $325 Full analysis (written) |
*Note: all pricing does not include shipping
Expert Witness & Court Related Matters
Retainer Fee: $1000
Review Fee: $600
Hourly: $300 per hour
Daily: $1600 per 8 hour day (including one hour lunch; does not include travel time to be billed separately)
*Travel time to be billed at the standard full hourly rate, additional costs relating to travel to be billed.
Retainer Fee: $1000
Review Fee: $600
Hourly: $300 per hour
Daily: $1600 per 8 hour day (including one hour lunch; does not include travel time to be billed separately)
*Travel time to be billed at the standard full hourly rate, additional costs relating to travel to be billed.
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BRIAN TY BERGER G.G. GIA
Brian Ty Berger G.G. GIA is a professional, independent appraiser of large diamonds, fine jewelry, gemstones, and antique jewelry. He has earned a Graduate Gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America. He lectures on gemstones, diamonds, investment diamonds, and jewelry. He specializes in diamond and jewelry appraisals and works with attorneys on estates, trusts, insurance matters, as well as appraisal theories and concepts. He is also an outside expert and consults with numerous galleries and dealers on gemstone identification and evaluation. |
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