The following words/phrases are typically included in my appraisal reports:

Appraisal:(noun)The act or process of estimating value; an estimate of value. (adjective) Of or pertaining to appraising and/or relate functions e.g. appraisal practice, appraisal services.

Appraisal Report: Any communication, written or oral, of an appraisal, review, or analysis; the document that is transmitted to the client upon completion of an assignment.

Appraiser: One who is competent to estimate appropriate value of a specified property.

ASA: American Society of Appraisers. A non-profit, international organization of appraisers specializing in real, personal, and business property.

Assumptions: Information directly related to a specific appraisal assignment, on which the appraiser bases his/her opinion and conclusions.

Carat: A unit for measuring the weight of jewels (such as diamonds) that is equal to 200 milligrams.

Clarity: The incidence of inclusions and blemishes in gemstones. One of the “4 C’s in diamond grading. There are numerous clarity grading scales in use worldwide. The clarity grading scale used in this report is the GIA grading scale.

Color Grade: 1.The classification of body color in colored gemstones expressed in terms of hue, tone, and saturation. 2.The classification of body color in finished diamonds. One of the 4 C’s in diamond grading. There are numerous color grading scales in use worldwide. The color grading used in this report is the GIA color grading scale. The range is from D (colorless) through Z (light yellow)

Cut: 1. In gems, a polished gem, as opposed to a rough or uncut gem. 2. The shaping, faceting, and/or polishing of a gemstone. 3. The proportions to which a gem is fashioned. One of the 4 C’s in diamond grading.

Diamond: a precious stone consisting of a clear and typically colorless crystalline form of pure carbon, the hardest naturally occurring substance.

Effective Date: Date of inspection of items in an appraisal

GIA: Gemological Institute of America

Intended Use: Reason the appraisal is being done. e.g. charitable donation, property division, insurance scheduling, Insurance claim, estate taxation.

Intended User(s): The client and any other party as identified by name or type as users of an appraisal.

Karat: A measure of the purity of gold. Pure gold being 24 Karat, 18K (.750), 14K (.585), 10K (.375).

Limiting Conditions: Conditions which may affect the opinion of value in an appraisal. Personal Property: Tangible, moveable property such as jewelry.

Prong: A small piece of metal securing a gemstone in a piece of jewelry.

Retail Market: Galleries, Antique & Specialty stores, Jewelry Stores, Auctions, etc.

USPAP: Uniform Standards of the Principles of Appraisal Practice. Appraisers are required to: promote and maintain a high level of public trust; behave in an ethical and competent manner; act in an independent, impartial, and objective manner.