Jewelry Appraisals in Honolulu

Steve, the owner of Jewel Box Hawaii, a graduate gemologist trained in gemology, jewelry manufacturing, design, and appraisal. Nothing is sent off island and nothing is delegated. The person who examines your piece is the person who signs the report.

Bring the jewelry pieces and any prior documentation. If no paperwork exists, we will document everything thoroughly during evaluation.

Yes. Documentation is prepared to meet insurance coverage requirements.

Timelines vary depending on the number of pieces. A clear estimate is provided when scheduling.

Replacement value is what it would cost to replace a piece with one of like kind and quality today, and it is the figure insurers ask for. Resale value is what you would realistically be offered if you sold the piece now, and it is normally much lower. Both can be correct for the same item at the same time, because they answer different questions.

Usually yes. Knowing what you have, and which value applies, lets you judge whether an offer is fair rather than taking it on trust. We also buy estate jewelry and are licensed by the State of Hawaii to do so, so the valuation and the offer can come from the same bench. Our guide to selling estate jewelry in Honolulu covers what to check first.

Yes. Most pieces arrive with no documentation at all. We identify and evaluate stones using industry-standard gemmological methods and tools, then document what we find.

Metal and gemstone markets move, so documentation prepared years ago can understate current replacement cost. Many insurers ask for periodic updates, so it is worth checking what your policy requires.

Yes. Hand-engraved Hawaiian heirloom pieces are part of our regular work, so we can assess engraving depth and enamel condition alongside metal and stone value. Background on the tradition is in our post on the history of Hawaiian heirloom jewelry.