Hi, Can anyone tell me where I can go to have an Opal appraised?
Mike
It would be helpful to know where you are, in order to steer you
to an appraiser. But here are some general tips:
-in the US, call 1 800 USA VALU, for the American Society of
Appraisers, they will refer you to an ASA member in your area.
-The International Society of Appraisers, now in Seatle, WA,
will also do this, though not as quickly, I’m afraid.
-you want a Graduate Gemologist (GIA).
-not everyone knows opals.
call, get more info. on their credentials, get the price, make
an appointment.
Yes, yes, you can send it to GIA, but that’s more expensive,
takes a long time, and they won’t give you a value. GIA Gem
Trade Lab is wonderful when you need it, but most of the time
your local appraiser will suit just fine.
Good luck.
Elaine
I would contact the ASA (American Society of Appraisers)
website. I think it is www.appraisal.org. Though gemologists
alone may be able to identify the opals, without appraisal
training the valuation of the opal is very subjective and in a
lot of cases the appraisal is done in a way that you can not
trace the methodology used to value the item.