Free Verbal Appraisals
Call 816-439-4653 to schedule an appointment at our Main Street location. Bring your gold, jewelry, coins, or silver, and we tell you what everything is worth. No fee, no obligation to sell. A verbal appraisal is a conversation where we examine your items, test them for purity and authenticity, weigh them, and give you our professional assessment of their current market value.
Most verbal appraisals take 15 to 30 minutes depending on the number of items. If you have a larger collection, it may take longer. We never rush an evaluation and are happy to answer any questions about your items.
A verbal appraisal is the right choice if you want to know what your gold is worth before deciding what to do with it. Many of our clients visit us simply to get a value, go home and think about it, and return later to sell. That is perfectly fine.
Written Appraisals for Estates and Insurance
A written appraisal is a formal document on our letterhead that itemizes your gold, jewelry, coins, or other precious metals with descriptions, photographs, and current market values for each piece. Written appraisals are used for legal, financial, and insurance purposes where a verbal opinion is not sufficient.
Common situations requiring a written appraisal include estate settlement and probate court, equitable distribution of assets among heirs, estate tax reporting for the IRS, insurance coverage scheduling, and divorce proceedings where jointly owned gold and jewelry must be valued for equitable division.
Our written appraisals are accepted by probate courts, estate attorneys, insurance companies, financial planners, CPAs, and the IRS. We work with legal and financial professionals throughout the Kansas City metro and are happy to coordinate directly with your advisors.
How We Appraise Your Gold
Every appraisal starts with a physical examination of your items. We use an XRF spectrometer to determine exact gold content and purity without damaging the piece. The XRF is non-destructive and you see the results on screen as testing happens.
We weigh each item on a Missouri-certified precision scale calibrated to the hundredth of a gram. For gold coins, we also examine date, mint mark, and condition to determine whether the coin carries numismatic value above its gold content. For diamonds, we assess the four Cs. For luxury watches, we evaluate brand, model, condition, and current market demand.
We then reference the current spot price and calculate the fair market value. For numismatic coins and designer jewelry, we also consult recent auction results and dealer price guides. The entire process is done in front of you and we explain every step.
Insurance Appraisals
Most homeowner and renter insurance policies include a standard coverage limit of $1,500 to $2,500 for jewelry, coins, and precious metals. If the total value of your gold and jewelry exceeds this limit, you need a scheduled rider on your policy, which requires a written appraisal.
We provide written appraisals for insurance scheduling purposes. Our appraisals document the replacement value of each item, which is the amount your insurance company would pay if the item were lost, stolen, or destroyed. Replacement value is typically higher than liquidation value because it reflects the cost of buying a comparable item at retail. If you have gold jewelry, diamond rings, a luxury watch, or a coin collection worth more than your default coverage limit, a written appraisal protects you financially. Contact us to schedule an insurance appraisal.
What to Bring for an Appraisal
Bring everything. Even items you think might not have value can surprise you. We have had clients bring in a bag of old jewelry they considered costume, only to discover several pieces of real gold mixed in with the plated items.
If you have original boxes, receipts, certificates of authenticity, or grading certifications (PCGS, NGC, GIA), bring those as well. They can increase the value of certain items.
Do not clean, polish, or alter your items before bringing them in. Cleaning coins reduces their collector value, and polishing jewelry can remove surface material. Bring everything exactly as you found it. For large collections or estate lots, call us at 816-439-4653 to schedule a dedicated appointment.
Appraisal vs Offer: What Is the Difference?
Clients sometimes ask whether an appraisal and a purchase offer are the same thing. They are not, and understanding the difference helps you make better decisions about your gold.
A verbal appraisal is an informal assessment of what your gold is worth on the open market. It tells you fair market value based on gold content, condition, and any collector or designer premiums. Free and no obligation.
A written appraisal is a formal document that states the value of your items for legal, tax, or insurance purposes. Written appraisals may reflect replacement value rather than liquidation value. Replacement value is typically higher.
A purchase offer is the price we will pay you today. It is based on the current spot price minus a margin that covers operating costs. Our purchase offers are competitive with any gold buyer in Kansas City, but they are always somewhat below the appraised market value. That margin is how every gold buyer operates. We are open about this distinction and happy to provide any combination of verbal appraisals, written appraisals, and purchase offers depending on your needs.