This new edition covers all the standards, procedures, and ethics of appraising gems, jewelry, and other valuables. Each step involved in conducting an appraisal is fully explained, with photos, case studies, key documents, worksheets and pricing data included. Registered Master Valuer Anna M Miller gives professional guidance and step-by-step instructions on how to: Build a clientele; Set fees; Get publicity; Handle insurance replacement claims; Photograph gems and jewellery; Research and write reports; Test metals; Research provenance; Master the different approaches to valuation; Use price guides; Understand legal and ethical aspects of appraising. This resource offers all the information that practising or aspiring appraisal professionals will need to establish an appraisal business, handle various kinds of appraisals, and provide an accurate, verifiable estimate of value.

Newly Updated and Expanded

Critical and up-to-the-minute information for the novice, advanced collector, jewelry dealer, curator and appraiser for all who buy and sell cameos, or who are just fascinated by them.

Antiques Roadshow Book Club Selection

Since ancient times, cameo making has allowed artists of every era to capture and reflect on the history, literature and lore of their culture. Today, the allure of finely carved cameos is drawing a new generation of both savvy collectors and gifted artists who are captivated by their transcendental elegance.

This first and only comprehensive reference guide offers valuable information on: Where to successfully hunt for cameos How to separate old from new, imitation and newer synthetic materials from original shell and stone cameos How to differentiate between ultrasonically produced and hand-carved cameos

Richly illustrated with many new cameo photographs, this new edition will facilitate the recognition and evaluation of quality in cameos and increase your confidence in buying and selling cameos with: Key factors for defining value Information on how to buy cameos from retailers and antique dealers, via the Internet or at auction A clear explanation of The MasterValuer Program of Quality Ranking that serves as a vital guide for use when evaluating cameos An extensive review of outstanding contemporary cameo artists throughout the world, their style, subject matter, unique and identifiable techniques, contact information and more

The premier book of its kind, revised, updated and expanded. A comprehensive guide to the standards, procedures and ethics of appraising gems, jewelry and other valuables, Gems & Jewelry Appraising, 3rd Edition, contains expert practical guidance, combined with detailed descriptions, photos, case studies, pricing data, key documents and more. This guide offers all the information that practicing or aspiring appraisal professionals will need to establish an appraisal business, handle various kinds of appraisals—for insurance, divorce, inheritance, liquidation, collateral and tax donation—and provide an accurate, verifiable estimate of value.

In this companion volume to Gems & Jewelry Appraising, 2nd Edition, the first comprehensive book on appraising, Registered Master Valuer Anna M. Miller offers a comprehensive guide to antique, period and contemporary jewelry identification and appraisal. Offering clear, practical, insightful guidance with a wealth of photos and figures, Illustrated Guide to Jewelry Appraising, 2nd Edition contains expert information, case studies, typical problems, pricing data and key documents. Features include: A review of the appraiser's role and responsibilities Value approach methods that offer jewelers and appraisers clear standards for estimating value Complete instructions on doing full narrative jewelry descriptions A practical methodology to research and assemble data needed for an accurate estimation of value A complete Model Appraisal Document that readers can use as an example for their own documents An Appraisal Glossary covering all technical terms that will help appraisers communicate effectively All types of pieces are covered in detail, from rings, earrings, necklaces and pendants to chains, bracelets, brooches and cameos, as well as less common items such as charms and stickpins. Key aspects including design influences, costuming, social behavior and the significance of color in each time period are also explored, to give the appraiser a deeper understanding of the many elements that contribute to value. This one-of-a-kind reference is an essential working guide for all appraisers, jewelers, antique dealers, collectors, auctioneers, insurance adjustors and gem labs.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xiii 1 THE HISTORY AND ROMANCE OF THE GLYPTIC ARTS THE EARLIEST ENGRAVINGS 3 CLASSICAL GREECE: FROM SCARABOID TO CAMEO 6 ROMAN CAMEOS 11 THE DARK AND MIDDLE AGES 19 THE RENAISSANCE AND LATER 23 2 THE SUBJECTS: MYTHS, LEGENDS, HISTORICAL EVENTS, AND STORIES BEHIND THE)EWELS MYTHS AND LEGENDS 33 SYMBOLS 42 vii PORTRAITS 44 HISTORICAL EVENTS AND STORIES BEHIND THE ]EWELS 45 3 CAMEO PRODUCTION TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES 50 MATERIALS 60 CARVING CENTERS AND RENOWNED CARVERS 80 4 DISTINGUISHING uLD AND NEWCAMEOS CIRCA-DATING CAMEOS 92 DETECTING CAMEO FAKES, FRAUDS, AND FORGERIES 113 5 MODIFIED CAMEOS AND CAMEO IMITATORS GLASS CAMEOS 127 CAMEO GLASS 129 TASSIE GLASS 131 WEDGWOOD 132 SULPHIDES 135 CONTENTS viii PLASTIC CAMEOS 135 CAMEO W AX PORTRAITS 136 PLASTER OF PARIS AND SULPHUR CASTS 138 6 ApPRECIATING CAMEOS AS ART ELEMENTS OF V ALUE 149 7 BUILDINGA CAMEO COLLECTION BUYING AND SELLING CAMEOS 162 CAMEOS AS INVESTMENT GEMS 169 CARE AND CONSERVATION OF CAMEOS 170 8 GREAT AND HISTORIC COLLECTIONS 175 ApPENDIX 193 Auctions 193 Glyptic-Arts Booksellers 194 CONTENTS ix Appraisal Associations 194 Retail Sources for Cameos in the Uni ted States 194 CHRONOLOGY OF ENGRAVED STONES AND CAMEOS IN EUROPE 196 GLOSSARY OF GLypTIc-ART AND ]EWELRY TERMS 199 SUGGESTED READINGS AND BIBLIOGRAPHY 205 INDEX 210 CONTENTS x p r e a c e f In several years of studying the cameo and its development, I have interviewed connoisseurs and collectors throughout the United States,

Only a few years ago, if you needed an appraisal of The revolution in the personal property appraisals gems and jewelry for any reason, you asked your local field (of which jewelry is a part) is a little more than a jeweler, who hastily scribbled a one-line handwritten decade old. There now exist uniform standards and note. He or she usually performed the appraisal for procedures for personal property appraisers, classes free, and did so with reluctance, accommodating you in valuation techniques, and degree programs in the only because as a customer you held the promise of a valuation sciences. future sale. The price your jeweler may have assigned Professional jewelry appraisers are on the edge of to the jewelry was granted without the least regard a new vocation. Banks, insurance companies, and for market research, legalities, or ethics. In most in governmental agencies have all helped bring about stances, the estimate was no more than a properly the changes and contribute to the birth of the profes completed sales receipt. sion; they have realized that they can demand and Gemologists were usually pushed into the role of get high standards of performance and integrity from appraiser by their jeweler employers, who were eager jewelry appraisers, as they can from appraisers of real to gain an advantage over their competitors by adver property."

There is more to appraising jewelry than just being parable sales and a value determination. Then, all this information, with clear jewelry descriptions, must be able to put a dollar value on an item. The title of ap succinctly put together with photographs and deliv praiser distinguishes the individual who is able to iden tify, witness, estimate status, excellence, or potential ered to the client. ity, and to determine the authenticity of an article. Today's jewelry appraiser should also be cognizant of the vicissitudes of fashion, how changes impact the Many factors impact on a thorough appraisal, espe jewelry market in a substantial and vital manner in cially on estate and period jewelry. Developing all this expertise is a lot to ask of practi both design and style. A careful look must be given to tioners who only a decade ago were barely making a study of color psychology with an awareness of why distinction between a well-written sales receipt and a specific gemstones and their colors and enamels of cer tain colors were used in different periods. Industrial professional appraisal report."

Newly Updated and Expanded Critical and up-to-the-minute information for the novice, advanced collector, jewelry dealer, curator and appraiser—for all who buy and sell cameos, or who are just fascinated by them. Antiques Roadshow Book Club Selection Since ancient times, cameo making has allowed artists of every era to capture and reflect on the history, literature and lore of their culture. Today, the allure of finely carved cameos is drawing a new generation of both savvy collectors and gifted artists who are captivated by their transcendental elegance. This first and only comprehensive reference guide offers valuable information on: Where to successfully hunt for cameos How to separate old from new, imitation and newer synthetic materials from original shell and stone cameos How to differentiate between ultrasonically produced and hand-carved cameos Richly illustrated with many new cameo photographs, this new edition will facilitate the recognition and evaluation of quality in cameos and increase your confidence in buying and selling cameos with: Key factors for defining value Information on how to buy cameos from retailers and antique dealers, via the Internet or at auction A clear explanation of The MasterValuer Program™ of Quality Ranking that serves as a vital guide for use when evaluating cameos An extensive review of outstanding contemporary cameo artists throughout the world, their style, subject matter, unique and identifiable techniques, contact information … and more