Are you curious to learn more about a piece of heirloom jewellery that was handed down? Does your insurance provider require certification for your jewellery?
At Rodan, we pride ourselves in providing professional appraisal services through one-on-one consultations with Harold, an independent Master Gemologist Appraiser. We love working with Harold, and have been for 35 years! Known as “The Diamond Expert”, Harold shares his knowledge and fascinating story as a gemologist through his travels pre-COVID. He dishes on the highest valued diamond he’s ever appraised – assessed to be about the average price of a single family home in Vancouver!
To learn about what’s been happening in the exciting world of jewellery, we recommend checking out the Q&A below!
Meet Harold at our next Appraisal Clinic on June 30th 11:00am to 5.30pm
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What are the main reasons why I should get my jewellery appraised?
There are many diverse reasons for getting jewellery appraised, or valued as the English say. The most common reason clients bring jewellery in for appraisal is for the appraiser to produce a valuation that will document the characteristics and quality of their item and to conclude a value to be used for insurance purposes. However, this is not the sole reason for an appraisal. Clients also ask for appraisals for estate purposes, to be used in equitable distribution of the estates assets, or for estate tax preparation. Sometimes the client may be more concerned about the quality of a piece rather than the value. Damage and condition reports are also included in an appraisers responsibilities.
How often should I get my jewellery appraised?
Values change over time and with regards to insurance appraisals these changes in value must be considered. It is recommended by many insurance companies that insured jewellery should have their values reviewed and updated every three years.
What’s the most expensive item you’ve ever appraised?
I was invited to appraise a client’s jewellery at his office building. Among others his ample jewellery collection was a diamond Riviera choker necklace consisting of round brilliant diamonds ranging from 1 carat up and up. A stunning piece, however it was their top quality unmounted 14.50 carat round brilliant diamond that took 1st prize for the most expensive piece. At over $1.3M assessment value, it was a beauty to behold.
What has been happening to values of jewellery in the last 5-10 years?
There is a common misconception that jewellery always increases in value, however not all elements of jewellery move in the same direction at once. Some components may be up and some down at any given point. Jewellery and gemstone values are subject to the market forces, both locally and internationally. Changes in fashion, supply and demand, world economics as well as unprecedented events such as the current pandemic all play a major role in how jewellery is valued. At today’s relatively high gold bullion price, gold jewellery certainly cost more today than it did 15 years ago. However certain jewels, for example, a particular type of cultured pearl necklace, may be worth less today than years ago, due to market forces of supply and demand as well as changes in fashion.
How did you meet Rob, founder of Rodan Jewellers?
I met Rob at very opportune time in my life after moving to Vancouver from Calgary in 1986. Having lived prior in California where I completed my gemology studies, I never could quite get used to the -25c degrees temperatures of Calgary winters. My wife and I moved to Vancouver to set up a new appraisal business, to compliment the one that I left behind in Calgary. A friend of mine who was a Vancouver gemstone dealer introduced me to Rob. At the time Rob was well into developing his Rodan Jewellers brand, running his first Rodan store in Surrey Place Mall. Rob’s enthusiasm for the business made for a happy and successful start to our Vancouver appraisal business. We soon set up our regular appraisal clinic service at his store where his clients would book appointments to have their jewellery appraised while they waited. It was a win-win arrangement for both Rob and I.
What size was the largest diamond you’ve ever appraised?
When I had my appraisal business in Calgary I was once presented a 20 carat round, Fancy Yellow diamond for appraisal. Even though I once visited the Tower of London to see the Cullinan I, at 530 carats, the world’s largest diamond, the joy of personally handling a 20 carat diamond was more of a thrill!
What are some of the most unusual or unique historic items you have come across in your work?
Very old antique pieces of jewellery are exceedingly rare and as such do not come across my desk often. Yellow gold Retro jewellery from the 50’s, delicate Edwardian platinum pieces of the early 1900’s and Victorian pieces of the late 1800’s are fairly common to see. However Georgian (1740 to 1830) pieces rarely cross my desk. Perhaps the most interesting item of jewellery that I can recall is a Great Gatsby style 1920’s platinum and diamond “Flapper’s” headband which I had the pleasure of handling at a Boston conference hosted by A.S.J.R.A on antique jewellery. I’m sure that this photo of my colleague wearing the piece will be more pleasing to your eye than the photo of me.
How did you get into the jewellery business?
It’s a long story! So I will try not to bore you too much with this one. Briefly, my passion for gemstones started before I had finished high school. My father used to take me to the monthly meetings at the McGill University Montreal Gem & Mineral Club. In addition to enjoying taking part in rockhounding visits to local mines, the club introduced me to the craft of the lapidary. Learning to cut gemstones was a passion of mine but it wasn’t long before I found that I needed a way to mount my gemstones. I started to add silversmithing to my repertoire. My early hobbies paid off when I was offered a job as a goldsmith apprentice for a Montreal atelier which contracted to Henry Birks Jewellers. I practiced goldsmithing there for three years before deciding that my career would be enhanced by attending the prestigious Gemological Institute of America. Taking the Jewellery Design Diploma course and full Gemology program in sunny California was a dream come true for me! Upon completion I traveled to Asia for a short time however ended up back in Canada, in Calgary, Alberta. This move proved to be very successful, as I met my mentor, Jim Brown, a successful business man who ultimately helped me to launch my own appraisal business that continues in operation to this day.
What is the most exciting part of your job?
Being successful as a jewellery appraiser means keeping current with your industry’s latest developments at the same time having knowledge of it’s past. To me, it is the means to these ends that make the job of appraising most exciting. Travelling to trade shows and conferences is one way to access this knowledge. Although the current Covid restrictions make travel impossible, normally I travel at least twice a year to international gem & jewellery trade shows. In particular I always look forward to attending the February Tucson Gem Show and the Las Vegas Jewelry Show held annually in June.
What is the single most important piece of advice you would give to someone who is considering a profession in jewellery appraisal or the jewellery business?
Choosing the right profession for oneself is one of the most difficult and important decisions of one’s life. In my opinion the most important factor in following any profession or career path is passion. If you are passionate about something and work hard towards fulfilling your goal then I believe success will follow.
