This is my first post here. My boyfriend (now fiance! woah!) custom designed an engagement ring at a local jeweler called Quest and proposed this past Saturday.
Now we need to get it appraised for insurance (we're going with Jeweler's Mutual / Perfect Circle). He's concerned about getting the appraisal done at Quest because (in his words) "the appraiser who works for Quest has no good reason to say I didn't get the right diamond or the right gold, etc. (14K)". Quest's appraisal fee is $150 (flat fee).
I get where he's coming from and would rather have the ring appraised at an independent appraiser, but everywhere I called (including other jewelers in the area) are $250-$300 per HOUR, and none of them can guarantee that it will be under an hour.
We're in the Northern Virginia / DC area and are from Baltimore. Does anyone have experience with appraisals in these areas? Are the hourly rates I've been quoted as seriously overpriced as I think they are? What would you do?
Thanks
ETA: In case anyone comes across this thread, we ended up going with Accredited Jewelry Appraisers, LLC. Their website is www.accreditedjewelryappraisers.com. It's one guy named Jeff & he did an incredible job!! My ring was $250 to appraise, but his pricing is based on the ring itself. He gives an estimate over the phone and a final cost when you get there, before he starts the process, so if the cost is too high you can leave. Overall, very impressed!