Kandice VincentThe Top 5 Places for Jewelry Appraisal in Toronto
More than just the receipt for a jewelry, one of the best ways to know its value is to get an appraisal. This provides a more comprehensive explanation including material information, physical description, and more.
Here are the top places for jewelry appraisal in Toronto. We covered the basics such as
expertise, along with their own pros and cons.
The Top Places for Jewelry Appraisal in Toronto
How much does jewelry appraisal cost in Toronto?
Before we reveal to you our list, we would like to give you an idea of the cost of getting a jewelry appraisal in Toronto.
Please note that this is only a sample price table and that all amounts are subject to change.
The Top Places for Jewelry Appraisal in Toronto
The following criteria was used to evaluate jewelry appraisals in Toronto:
1. Accurate Gemological Laboratories Inc.
| TRAINING | ★★★★★ |
| KNOWLEDGE | ★★★★★ |
| REPORT | ★★★★★ |
| CREDIBILITY | ★★★★☆ |
Established in 2005, Accurate Gemological Laboratories Inc. or AGL has been operating as an independently-owned gemological laboratory. Their services include jewelry appraisals and diamond grading.
The best thing about AGL is that they are strictly a laboratory. They have no interest in buying jewelry, so you can rest assured that their assessments will be concise.
Most of their clients are insurance companies, law firms, government agencies, jewelry retailers and of course, the public.
Some of the top institutions in the field such as the Gemological institute of America (GIA), the Graduate Gemologist (GG), and the Accredited Jewelry Professional (AJP), certify their gemologists, jewelers, and appraisers.
We like how they provide extensive reports and even offer the reports in different packages. They can print the report in passport, letter, or even credit card sizes.
We find that their basic jewelry appraisal report is ideal for insurance purposes given the completeness of information. For those who want Canadian dollars value to come with their report, they may opt for any of the latter three, depending on the size they want.
All appraisals are performed in their state-of-the-art laboratory and a corresponding expert will guide the customer through every step.
Honestly, we cannot find anything to dislike about AGL. We do note that their expert appraiser Ben is often in demand, so appraisal times are often extended.
Depending on your jewelry and report requests, their prices can also be quite higher than most. However, it can be argued that this is because of the exquisite service you can get.
Overall, we recommend Accurate Gemological Laboratories Inc. for their experience, evident skillset, and ability to package appraisal reports.
Pros
- More than 15 years experience
- Has certified jewelry appraisers
- Appraisal reports can be printed in different sizes
- Independently-owned and operated jewelry laboratory
Cons
- Appraisals can sometimes take time
- Some appraisal costs are relatively high
Customer Reviews
An expert and very knowledgeable
“Ben is very helpful, friendly and nice. He is an expert and very knowledgeable in this area. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to have their jewelry appraised.
I didn’t even have cash at that time to pay him but he trusted me and did the job (I paid him via e-transfer that same day though.) Thank you Ben! More success to you!”
— Grace Arnedo, via Google
Took time carefully appraising each piece with the utmost professionalism
“Ben Bernstein is an honest, upstanding guy with credentials coming out his ears. He is both trustworthy and trusting in return. I inherited some jewelry from my grandfather and Ben took time carefully appraising each piece with the utmost professionalism.
He even gave me fantastic advice on how to go about selling my pieces which is why I was having them appraised. I’m his client for life. Thanks, Ben!” — Sarah W, via Google
2. Canadian Gemological Identification Labs
| TRAINING | ★★★★★ |
| KNOWLEDGE | ★★★★★ |
| REPORT | ★★★★★ |
| CREDIBILITY | ★★★★☆ |
Specializing in diamonds, precious metals, and jewelry repairs, Canadian Gemological Identification Labs is one of the safest choices for jewelry appraisal in Toronto. This is because of their expertise in jewelry, evident in their knowledge and skill.
Their knowledge of gemstones is very extensive. They are well-equipped as to the value of a stone depending on factors such as colour, cut, shape, and size.
In terms of reports, this service delivers very concise and detailed ones. They are even working on a report analysis verifier as of writing, which will make the report more credible.
You can also purchase jewelry from them and they can also price and purchase jewelries for you, should you wish. They will also have a jewelry shop available online and in-store soon.
Appraisals can be done within the hour and are usually finished within the same day. We like how they even offer free appraisals if you purchase jewelry from them.
We do note that this place also buys and sells jewelry, so appraisal reports may or may not include bias. Still, we find that they carry and practice integrity most of the time.
We also find that their website is glitchy as of writing. This may be a dealbreaker for potential customers, as some people look at websites for necessary information.
There isn’t much to dislike about this place. They have the necessary skills to handle and determine the value of jewelry.
We find that their machinery and equipment are of high-quality, so they are reliable most of the time.
Pros
- Extensive knowledge of gemstones
- Same-day appraisals
- Free appraisals for jewelry bought in-store
- High-quality machines and equipments
Cons
- Some appraisals can be tainted with buying bias
- Website has glitch issues
Customer Reviews
Nothing short of stellar
“My experience with Michael was nothing short of stellar. His knowledge, professionalism and ability to answer any questions stands as a benchmark of how service within this industry should be handled.
Thanks again Michael! Looking forward to doing further business with you in the future.” — Adam, via Google
Took the time to educate us on the value of our jewelry
“We were so impressed with Mike’s services that we’ll definitely use him again. He took the time to educate us on the value of our jewelry and the reasons why. Super personable, accurate, and a top-drawer professional.
Highly recommended – and his prices are quite reasonable too. You will not be disappointed!” — Karen L, via Google
3. Fortunes Fine Jewellers
| TRAINING | ★★★★★ |
| KNOWLEDGE | ★★★★★ |
| REPORT | ★★★★★ |
| CREDIBILITY | ★★★★☆ |
Fortunes Fine Jewellers has been in the jewelry industry as early as 1986, so they are obviously experienced in the area. They are well-known for their custom-made wedding rings and bands and are very popular among couples.
Being family-owned, they have also proven to be loved by their immediate community. We also find it impressive that they work with both international businesses and local boutiques, especially within North America.
For appraisals, the can usually provide same-day or next-day services. This depends on the piece, as some can take longer to complete assessment.
If you specify that the appraisal is for insurance purposes, they will provide you with the true value of your jewelry. This is honestly a great move and will surely resonate with many customers.
We also like how they have cutting and restoring services. We find that this allows them to showcase their jewelry treatment skills more and that it serves as a testament to their true knowledge.
Appointments can be booked and they also accept walk-ins. Please note that they are very strict in-terms of the necessary jewelry documents, or appraisals may not be as accurate.
Take note that they also buy jewelry, so some appraisals can be affected with vested interest. Still, we find that customers trust them and that their appraisals are often on-point.
If you’re looking for a jewelry service that has enough experience, we recommend Fortunes Fine Jewellers.
Pros
- More than 35 years’ experience
- Popular with businesses within North America
- Same-day or next-day appraisals
- Knowledgeable and skilled in jewelry restoration
Cons
- May have vested interest in some pieces
- Very strict with accompanying documents for appraisals
Customer Reviews
Very courteous and professional
“I recently required an appraisal on one of my pieces of jewelry. I had the pleasure of dealing with Zachary daCosta. He was very courteous and professional which made me feel that I was in good hands.
Turnaround time was excellent. I would highly recommend Fortunes Fine Jewelers to anyone in need of an appraisal or a new piece of jewelery.” — Matt Sherkin, via Google
4. Karaman Appraisals
| TRAINING | ★★★★★ |
| KNOWLEDGE | ★★★★★ |
| REPORT | ★★★★☆ |
| CREDIBILITY | ★★★★☆ |
A relatively young jewelry appraiser in downtown Toronto is Karaman Appraisals. They began in 2018 and have been growing their clientele since.
What we like most about this place is that they are open to working with various industries. These include, but are not limited to, retailers, wholesalers, manufactures, and auction houses.
They also perform various kinds of appraisals. The range goes from jewelry to diamonds, and even to watches.
They can also appraise both antique jewelry and antique watches.
Services also include insurance reports and court appearances. This makes them recommendable for companies and other big deals such as instances of divorce, inheritance, and even donations.
We do find that they can still work on a lot of things, since they are still growing. They are still a little short-staffed compared to others, so customer service can often be busy.
We also note that they only have one certified appraiser, which can cause delays or longer waiting times during busy season. However, we can argue that their appraiser, Jenna, is certified and is equipped with proper gemological education.
Karaman Appraisals is great if you’re solely looking for appraisal services. This is where they prove to be good at and you can negotiate with them for prices!
Pros
- Appraiser is certified and has proper gemological education
- Performs watch appraisals
- Can do appraisals for antique jewelry and watches
- Offers insurance reports and court appearances
Cons
- Customer service is sometimes too busy
- Has only one appraiser
Customer Reviews
Highly efficient, professional, and friendly
“I only trust Jenna with my jewelry appraisals. Highly efficient, professional, and friendly, she went ABOVE & BEYOND to make sure I had everything I wanted and needed.
I initially went to Jenna with a pair of diamond earrings I wanted appraised and found out they were not natural but labgrown! She was so thorough and followed through in every way, I cannot thank Jenna enough for her diligence.
I highly recommend her for all your jewelry needs.” — Ana Maria Iorga, via Google
Fast, trust worthy, and precise
“Karaman appraisals is the only jewelry appraisal business I trust with my gold, diamonds and gem stones. Jenna constantly amazes me with her strong knowledge and quick job turn over.
She is fast, trust worthy and precise. She assists with any knowledge and guidance you need when it comes to insurance pricing and the history behind your jewelry. Thank you for everything Jenna!” — Alexandra Aucoin, via Google
5. Gem Scope Appraisal Laboratories
| TRAINING | ★★★★☆ |
| KNOWLEDGE | ★★★★★ |
| REPORT | ★★★★★ |
| CREDIBILITY | ★★★★☆ |
Founded in 2007, Gem Scope Canada is an independent gemological laboratory that offers diamond grading and jewelry appraisal. They mostly work with the jewelry trading industry, but their services are open to the general public.
This place made the cut simply because of their unbiased assessments and reports. They strictly appraise items and do not buy or sell jewelry for profit.
We like how their reports are detailed and very reliable. Companies in the industries of law, accounting, and insurance trust their reports a lot.
We do note that while their appraisal services are open to the public, appointments are required. Walk-ins may be entertained but are not guaranteed a service.
Customers with appointments are entitled to a ‘while you wait’ service or a same-day appraisal. This is great because it justifies how convenient having an appointment or booking is.
We also like how this service is very easy to contact via their email address, phone number, or website. However, we find that their website is very outdated and can be a turn off for some customers.
On the bright side, a lot of customers have been with them for years and trust them very much.
Gem Scope Canada is a great place if you want a gemological laboratory that will give you straightforward answers and detailed jewelry appraisal reports.
Just make sure to book anytime between Monday to Thursday, as they are closed on Fridays and weekends.
Pros
- More than a decade’s worth of experience
- An independent gemological laboratory
- Trusted by law, accounting, and insurance companies
- ‘While you wait’ and same-day appraisals are possible
Cons
- Strictly by appointment only
- Website is very outdated
- Closed on Fridays
Customer Reviews
Appraisals are always accurate based on the market value
“We have been working with DeeDee for 15+ years. Her appraisals are always accurate based on the market value. She is very knowledgeable and professional. Always willing to help and answer any questions.
I definitely recommend her 👌”. — Daniel M, via Google
An extremely reputable company
“Gem Scan provided appraisals for five bangles of mine. I was impressed with the level of professionalism, security and how efficient they were.
They are an extremely reputable company and I would highly suggest going to them for insurance appraisals and trusting them with your valuable jewellery.” — Alesha Husain, via Google
FAQs about jewelry appraisal in Toronto
We hope that this article helped you learn more about jewelry appraisals and where you can find the top places for it in Toronto.
In case of any emergencies with your jewelry insurance (we hope none!), you may refer to our review of the top insurance lawyers in Toronto.
