JEWELRY APPRAISAL CAN HELP PROTECT YOUR ESTATE GEMS FROM THEFT

When you think of jewelry theft, what comes to mind? For some people, it may perhaps be a high-stakes break in of a jewelry store involving men in ski masks. Or perhaps a person mugged on the streets, forced to give up their watch, cash, and any other belongings to someone who appears very willing to hurt them. But, more commonly, jewelry theft often happens during a home burglary when the owners are away.

Still unsure how visiting with a Scottsdale appraiser for a jewelry appraisal may help out in this situation? Well, consider this: burglary doesn’t have to happen when you’re out of town for an extended period of time. It occurs most often during daytime hours, such as while you’re at the office or out running errands. And, since most burglaries take less than ten minutes, the items most often stolen are small, portable, and easy to sell. Included in the list of items commonly stolen? Jewelry, electronics, and cash.

Why a Jewelry Appraisal?

You may be wondering why you should get a jewelry appraisal on your items. For one, in 2012 over 1250 burglaries were reported in Scottsdale alone. While this was significantly lower than most of the surrounding cities, burglars probably assume they will make out with pricier goods in Scottsdale. A jewelry appraisal will actually do quite a bit of good in helping you to document your jewelry while evaluating cost, it can assist with insurance, and may even help with recovering your stolen jewelry.

It is also key to remember that your jewelry is an investment, not just pretty trinkets, especially if they are family heirlooms. While costume jewelry may only run a few dollars used, pricier items of a higher quality can often go for hundreds of dollars in online auctions and pawn shops. Stolen jewelry of this caliber can be difficult to replace if you haven’t taken the right steps to protecting your investment.

How an appraisal helps

When you visit with our Scottsdale appraiser, the jewelry appraisal will list all of the key details about your jewelry, such as the materials used, the age, special markings, and, of course, the value of the item. Be sure to keep any supporting documentation that comes with the jewelry appraisal, as well as clear photos of the jewelry.

The supporting documentation from the jewelry appraisal will also help out if you decide to get insurance on your jewelry, especially the pricier items. In the event of a burglary or other instance in which your items may be damaged or stolen, the jewelry can be insured for a certain amount (that depends on your insurance company) and could eventually be replaced.

Alternatively, this combination of appraisal documentation and photos of the stolen jewelry could assist the police in being able to recover the items. After you complete a police report–which documents the date and estimated time of the burglary, damages made, and items stolen–they will review recent buys and loans from local pawn shops. A vague description you would provide to the police may not be enough. This is where a jewelry appraisal will help so that you can have the necessary documentation without worrying about how to find or replace your items.

Some prevention tips

After getting a Scottsdale jewelry appraisal, take a couple of extra steps in securing your investment. One of the major tips we recommend is to avoid keeping your jewelry within easy reach. Remember that most burglaries only take a few minutes so keeping items out of sight is a key prevention method. Instead of storing jewelry in a jewelry box or on top of a dresser, keep items hidden away in a drawer or a closet away from your bedroom.

If you want to be extra safe, consider storing them in a small safe that is out of sight and away from your bedroom and bathroom. While this may present a minor hassle when dressing in the mornings, just remember that it is also protecting your investment by making it more difficult for burglars to find your possessions.

Conclusion

Whether or not you’ve been the victim of a home burglary, the prospect is both scary and maddening. Victims of these crimes have to deal with two kinds of damages: the physical damage inflicted on their home and the psychological damage of knowing someone invaded their home. If you want to ensure some peace of mind for you and your family, there are a number of easy steps to take to protect your home, belongings, and well-being. We recommend a jewelry appraisal as one of the key steps in securing your home investments.