St. Louis-Missouri Chapter: Appraising Antique Jewelry- It's All About Comp

The valuing elements of antique jewelry is a direct correlation to the appropriate gemstones and the integrity of the era, styles and motifs. One can never value antique jewelry based solely on the cost of the elements. The process is dependent on selecting the right comparables.

Gail Brett Levine, GG, independent personal property appraiser, has been in the jewelry trade for over 30 years. Initially starting as the owner of an antique shop in Alexandria, VA, Presidential Antiques Co., Inc., she specialized in antique, period and estate jewelry. She received her Graduate Gemologist diploma in residence from GIA (NY) in 1980 and currently serves on the board of the GIA Manhattan alumni chapter and the Association for the Study of Jewelry and Related Arts. She is a former board member of the American Society of Jewelry Historians, former Board Member of Gem-A USA and Past President of the Board of Directors of the International Society of Appraisers, 1996 - 1998, where she served on its board for five years. Currently, she is the Executive Director of The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, the largest gem and jewelry appraisal organization in the United States.

Levine is also President of Timeless, Inc. (1982 to present) specializing in insurance, estate and donation appraisals of antique, estate and contemporary jewelry, precious metals, loose diamonds, colored stones and gem consulting.

In 1994, she started the subscription-based publication, Auction Market Resource for Gems and Jewelry, which is an in-depth report by qualified appraisers/gemologists of sales results of jewelry at auction which previews gem material. In 2005, Auction Market Resource became an exclusively web-based publication. It is currently recommended by most appraisal organizations.