Professional Jewelry Appraisals for Attorneys & Estate Professionals

Legally Defensible Appraisals for Professional Clients

Our Qualified Appraisers

At Mayflower Estate Buyers, our appraisers bring professional credentials and expertise that exceed industry standards. Here’s what qualifies our team to provide legally defensible appraisals for your clients:

GIA Graduate Gemologist

Our appraisers hold the Graduate Gemologist (GG) credential from the Gemological Institute of America—the most rigorous gemological certification available. This credential requires extensive coursework in diamond and gemstone identification, properties, and grading. GIA certification is recognized nationally and internationally as the standard for gemological expertise, and it demonstrates a commitment to scientific accuracy in every evaluation.

Professional Memberships & Continuing Education

Our team holds memberships in the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA) and maintains active participation in professional development. NAJA membership requires adherence to a strict Code of Ethics and ongoing continuing education in appraisal standards, market trends, and legal compliance. This ensures our appraisals reflect current market conditions and best practices. identification, properties, and grading. GIA certification is recognized nationally and internationally as the standard for gemological expertise, and it demonstrates a commitment to scientific accuracy in every evaluation.

USPAP Compliance Certification

We are fully compliant with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP)—the national standard for all appraisal work. USPAP compliance means our appraisals are defensible in court, acceptable to the IRS, and recognized by legal professionals nationwide. Every report we prepare follows USPAP guidelines for documentation, methodology, and professional standards.

IRS Qualification & Tax Reporting Authority

Our appraisers meet or exceed IRS standards for qualified appraisers as defined in 26 CFR § 1.170A-17. This qualification allows our appraisals to be used for charitable donations, estate tax valuations, and other tax reporting purposes. We understand the specific documentation requirements for IRS compliance and structure every appraisal accordingly.

Why Choose Mayflower for Your Jewelry Appraisals?

Mayflower Estate Buyers provides USPAP-compliant jewelry appraisals specifically designed for attorneys, trust officers, CPAs, and financial professionals handling estates, trusts, and probate matters. Our GIA-certified appraisers prepare detailed, professionally documented valuations that meet strict legal and IRS standards for use in court proceedings, tax reporting, and estate settlements.

With 40+ years of combined gemological expertise and professional certifications that exceed IRS standards under 26 CFR § 1.170A-17, our team ensures every appraisal is meticulous, defensible, and compliant with Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). Whether you’re managing estates, supporting litigation, or filing tax reports, we provide the documentation and rigor your cases require.

Types of Appraisal Services We Offer

We understand that everyone has unique needs, especially when handling appraisals for estates and trusts. We also offer specialized appraisal services upon request. Each appraisal is handled with care and precision, ensuring clear and trustworthy results for you or your clients.

Insurance Appraisals

Ensure accurate coverage by determining your jewelry’s replacement value for insurance purposes.

Estate Appraisals

Ensure accurate coverage by determining your jewelry’s replacement value for insurance purposes.

Trust & Probate Appraisals

Expert appraisals for trust settlements and probate proceedings, ensuring fair asset management.

Dissolution of Marriage Appraisals

Impartial jewelry valuations for equitable distribution during divorce proceedings.

Liquidation Appraisals

Receive detailed jewelry valuations to assist with liquidation and asset disposal processes.

Legal Action Appraisals

Specialized appraisals for legal cases, supporting litigation or dispute resolutions.

Our Appraisal Process

Our process is designed to offer clarity and confidence at every step, whether you’re assisting clients in managing estates or securing insurance valuations. Our jewelry appraisal professionals will meet you or your clients at our secure Towson location or an alternative safe site, as needed.

Initial Consultation

We’ll discuss your client’s needs to determine the appropriate appraisal type.

Basic Inspection

Our experts will assess the jewelry’s condition and its relevant characteristics.

Comprehensive Evaluation

Using state-of-the-art gemological equipment, we perform a detailed analysis.

Appraisal Report

A full appraisal report, complete with photographs and a professional opinion, will be provided.

Jewelry Appraisal Pricing

We offer transparent pricing that reflects our commitment to fair, professional services. Our pricing structure is clear, ensuring there are no surprises, and our hourly rate covers the entirety of the appraisal process—from document review and research to report writing.

Initial Consultation: Free (conducted over the phone or in person).
Hourly Rate: Starting at $180 per hour*, including research and report writing.
Retainer: Required for depositions and court appearances.

*Our pricing may vary and is subject to change.

Speak with an Appraiser

Share your details below or email hello@mayflowerestatebuyers.com and we will be in touch. You can also give us a call at (410) 236-7088.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all jewelry appraisers qualified to do appraisals?

It is important that a jewelry appraiser is qualified per IRS 26 CFR § 1.170A-17 – Qualified Appraiser & Qualified Appraisals – because this confirms that the appraiser has dedicated their time to the proper education and appraisal training. Anyone can represent themselves as a jewelry appraiser to the public since there are no laws requiring certification or credentialling. This is why it is important to vet the jewelry appraiser you contract to ensure you contract a qualified appraiser.

Is it enough to be a Graduate Gemologist (GG) from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) to be a qualified appraiser?

While it is no small feat to achieve a Graduate Gemologist diploma from the GIA, the GG curriculum does not prepare a gemologist to engage in appraisal methodology, valuation science, report writing, legal research and more that is involved in generating a qualified appraisal report. This is important as well for profiling the various credentials that a jewelry appraiser may publicize.

How intensive and demanding is/are credential(s) they achieved?

The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, for example, requires a certain minimum number of education hours per year in addition to resubmitting two qualified appraisal reports to ensure that the jewelry appraiser remains up to date and compliant. Completing an online appraisal course and paying membership dues may not be sufficient for qualified credentialing.

Should a jewelry appraiser be a member of one or more appraisal associations?

It goes without saying that the more education one receives, the better. Such is the case with becoming a member with one or more appraisal associations. Doing this helps to ensure that the jewelry appraiser maintains their credentialing as a qualified appraiser, is held to industry ethical standards, and keeps abreast of market changes.

Is it necessary to comply with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) standards?

While USPAP standards were developed primarily for real estate appraisers in the late 1980’s, Standards 7 & 8 specifically regard personal property appraising development and reporting. These standards afford a minimum baseline for personal property appraisers in the jewelry industry to adhere to, to ensure their reports are comprehensive, compliant, and legally sound.

Jewelry appraisers do not need to understand their jurisdiction’s laws and statutes.

The jewelry appraiser is the sole party responsible for discovering and using the proper effective date(s) and including the correct value definition(s) per the jurisdiction of the appraisal assignment. Not adhering to jurisdictional codes/statutes and not including the correct effective date(s) and value definition(s) will likely result in legal action against the appraiser.

Is it ethical to use fair market value for all appraisal report types?

It can be tempting to use fair market value for most appraisal report types. But how is fair market value defined? The IRS has one definition for FMV with some slight variations depending on the type of appraisal. Even on a state level, and sometimes county level, there are varied definitions for fair market value depending on the type of appraisal being rendered. It is important that your qualified jewelry appraiser knows and understands which definition applies to the appraisal assignment because using the wrong one could result in legal consequences.