Appraisal, identification and valuation
Gemmological appraisal in Paris
Understand what you own. Know what can be concluded.
Loose stone, mounted stone or jewellery: CKYSTONES helps you identify, document and value your gemmological possessions according to your needs, using a clear method with explicitly stated limitations.
- Loose gemstones and jewellery
- Appointments in Paris 8th arrondissement
- Remote assessment depending on the assignment
- Illustrated reports
Structured, documented examination
Confidentiality of items and documents
A clear distinction between identification and value
Laboratory referral when needed
Start with your question
What would you like to know about your gemstone or jewellery?
You do not need to know the technical name of the service. Simply choose the objective that matches your situation.
I want to know what it is
Identify a gemstone, verify a description or understand the results of an initial examination.
Gemmological identification →
I want to know its value
Obtain an opinion for personal use, understand an item’s quality or receive a reasoned value range.
Valuation opinion →
I need to insure it
Establish a documented replacement value for a gemstone, a piece of jewellery or a collection.
Insurance valuation →
I want to make an informed decision
Request a second opinion before a purchase, sale, setting or transformation.
Second opinion →Compare before choosing
Each assignment answers a different question.
Identification determines the nature of a material. Valuation determines a value for a specific purpose. The two can be combined when the case requires it.
| Your need | Service | Main document | Physical examination |
|---|---|---|---|
| Know what the gemstone is | Gemmological identification | Gemmological examination report | Recommended |
| Know a value for personal purposes | Valuation opinion | Summary opinion or detailed report | Depending on the item |
| Insure an item | Replacement value | Report for insurance purposes | Strongly recommended |
| Examine jewellery or a group of items | Gemmological appraisal | Illustrated report and inventory | Recommended |
| Make an informed purchase or sale | Second opinion | Written summary or consultation | Depending on the case |
| Obtain an advanced conclusion | Laboratory referral | Report from the selected laboratory | Depending on the assignment |
Assignments tailored to each situation
Identify, document, value and guide you.
Each service is designed around the question asked, the nature of the item, the level of evidence required and the intended use of the document.
I want to know what it is
Gemmological identification
A structured examination to gather, compare and interpret a gemstone’s visible, physical and optical characteristics.
The examination may include
- Weight, dimensions, shape and cut type
- Colour, transparency, lustre and surface condition
- Internal observations and useful photographs
- Instrumental tests suited to the material
Document provided
- CKYSTONES gemmological examination report
- Conclusion with a stated confidence level
- Any qualifications and recommendations
- Laboratory referral if the question requires it
I want to understand my item better
Valuation opinion and valuation for personal purposes
For a gemstone received as a gift, family jewellery, a personal collection, a planned sale or simply the wish to understand an item’s quality and current value.
Two possible levels
- Summary opinion with an indicative range
- Detailed report with photograph and methodology
- Analysis of favourable and unfavourable factors
- Specification of the chosen basis of value
To be distinguished
- Retail value
- Replacement value
- Estimated resale value
- Professional purchase price
I need to declare an item
Replacement value assessment for insurance purposes
A service to document the estimated cost of acquiring a comparable item on the retail market at the date of the report.
The report may include
- Unique reference and owner’s identity
- Photographs, description and apparent condition
- Gemmological description and documents examined
- Reasoned replacement value
Arrangements
- Physical examination recommended
- Document-based assessment possible depending on the case
- Unverified information clearly identified
- The insurer retains the decision on acceptance
Mounted gemstone, jewellery or collection
Gemmological appraisal of jewellery or a collection
The setting may limit certain observations or measurements. CKYSTONES adapts the examination to the jewellery’s configuration and clearly states what could be verified.
For jewellery
- General description and inventory of visible gemstones
- Observations compatible with the setting
- Apparent condition of the gemstones and setting
- Photographs and limitations of the examination
For a group of items
- Individual or grouped inventory
- Classification by item or reference
- Overall report or individual records
- Quotation tailored to the quantity and assignment
Before a purchase, sale or transformation
Second gemmological opinion
An independent perspective to better understand the available information, observed quality, risks and points requiring further verification.
Common situations
- Consistency between a gemstone and its report
- Apparent quality before purchase or resale
- Condition before setting or transformation
- Declared or insufficiently documented treatments
What we do not promise
- No guaranteed return or future price
- No origin stated without sufficient grounds
- No absolute conclusion beyond the methods used
- Laboratory analysis recommended when the stakes justify it
When practical examination methods are not enough
Referral to a specialist laboratory
Some questions require external analytical methods. CKYSTONES helps you choose a laboratory suited to the gemstone, the question asked and the intended use of the report.
May concern
- Geographical origin
- Complex treatments
- Distinguishing natural / synthetic
- High-value gemstones
Guidance
- Laboratory selected according to the assignment
- Explanation of costs and timescales
- Arrangements made with the client’s agreement
- Reading and contextualising the report
Clear, proportionate documents
What a CKYSTONES report may contain
The level of detail depends on the assignment. Public examples are anonymised and watermarked to protect owners’ information.
Identification
Description, results, conclusion, confidence level, qualifications and recommendations.
View an anonymised example →
Value for personal purposes
Photograph, overall quality, market reference, indicative range and limitations.
Insurance
Inventory, description, photographs, replacement value, conditions and signature.
From first message to report
An assignment in five stages
Your case is assessed before any work begins to define the method, expected documents and scope of the assignment.
Describe your needs
Send the initial information, photographs and available documents.
Receive guidance
We determine the appropriate service, foreseeable limitations and quotation.
Entrust the item to us
Drop-off by appointment or insured shipping under the agreed arrangements.
Examination and documentation
The item is referenced, photographed, measured and examined according to the assignment.
Report and explanation
You receive the agreed document, conclusions, qualifications and useful next steps.
Precision rather than absolute promises
Our conclusions remain proportionate to the methods used.
A practical examination may be conclusive, consistent with a hypothesis, suggest a probable conclusion or remain inconclusive. Some questions require a specialist laboratory.
Identification and confidence level
The conclusion states what the results establish and what remains subject to qualification.
Origin and treatments
A geographical origin or certain treatments are only stated when the available methods support them.
Value according to its purpose
Value for personal purposes, replacement, resale and professional purchase do not refer to the same thing.
Laboratory analysis when needed
When the stakes or question go beyond practical examination methods, we recommend appropriate external analysis.
Client feedback
Trust also rests on lived experience.
Read testimonials published by clients who have used CKYSTONES’ services.
Google reviews can be displayed here using the shortcode already working on your website.
Request an appraisalFrequently asked questions
Before entrusting your item to us
The form below then allows us to consider your specific case.
What is the difference between identification and valuation?+
Identification seeks to determine the nature of the material and its main characteristics. Valuation seeks to establish a value for a specific purpose. The two services can be combined.
What is the difference between replacement value and resale value?+
Replacement value is the estimated cost of acquiring a comparable item at retail. Resale value depends on the channel, timescale, demand, commissions and the buyer’s margin.
Can you identify a mounted gemstone?+
Yes, many observations remain possible. However, the setting may prevent some measurements or limit the conclusion.
Can everything be determined from photographs?+
No. Photographs allow an initial assessment or document-based valuation, but do not always replace measurements and instrumental tests.
Can you determine geographical origin?+
Not in every case. An origin determination may require specialist laboratory analyses.
Will an insurer automatically accept the report?+
The insurer retains the decision to accept the document and may request additional information or analyses.
Can I send several pieces of jewellery?+
Yes. An inventory and quotation suited to the number of items will be prepared.
What should I provide?+
Photographs, invoices, certificates, previous reports and any known information about the item are useful.
What happens when laboratory analysis is needed?+
CKYSTONES explains the reason, the recommended type of laboratory, the estimated cost and the arrangements before anything is sent.
Prepare your case
Describe your needs in a few minutes.
We review the information provided before guiding you towards the appropriate service and level of report.
