Mistakes Made When Settling Jewelry Estates
Handling an estate is never easy—especially when it involves valuable and sentimental jewelry. Without proper guidance, families, executors, and fiduciaries can make costly mistakes that affect estate taxes, probate proceedings, and even family relationships.
At Lauren O Jewels, we’ve seen firsthand the issues that arise when estate jewelry isn’t appraised correctly. Based in Petaluma, we provide trusted estate jewelry appraisals across Sonoma County, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, and the Bay Area, helping families avoid these common pitfalls.
Mistake 1: Using the Wrong Type of Appraisal
One of the most frequent errors is submitting an insurance appraisal for estate purposes. Insurance appraisals determine replacement value, which is often much higher than fair market value. For estates, the IRS requires fair market value appraisals.
👉 Using the wrong type of appraisal can result in inflated estate taxes or disputes in probate court. Always ensure you request an estate or date of death jewelry appraisal.
Mistake 2: Skipping the Appraisal Altogether
Some families assume they can estimate jewelry value themselves or rely on outdated appraisals. This can create serious problems:
Executors may undervalue assets, leading to IRS penalties.
Overvaluing assets can result in excessive taxes.
Disputes often arise among heirs if values aren’t properly documented.
👉 A professional estate jewelry appraisal ensures defensible, IRS-compliant valuations.
Mistake 3: Dividing Jewelry Before It’s Appraised
It’s natural for heirs to want meaningful pieces quickly, but dividing jewelry before an appraisal can create conflicts later. Without documentation, one heir may unknowingly receive a piece of much higher value than others.
👉 Professional appraisals provide fairness, transparency, and clarity in asset distribution.
Mistake 4: Overlooking Heirloom Jewelry
Not all valuable estate jewelry is flashy. Vintage brooches, custom pieces, or family heirlooms may hold significant value—financially and historically. Overlooking these pieces can result in lost opportunities to protect family legacies.
👉 A thorough heirloom jewelry appraisal ensures that even understated or antique pieces are properly valued.
Mistake 5: Choosing the Wrong Appraiser
Not every jeweler is qualified to perform estate appraisals. For IRS and probate purposes, you need a professional who:
Specializes in estate and heirloom jewelry appraisals
Provides IRS-compliant reports recognized by attorneys and fiduciaries
Understands both the technical and emotional sides of estate work
👉 At Lauren O Jewels, our reports are trusted throughout Petaluma, Sonoma, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, and Silicon Valley.
Avoid These Mistakes with a Trusted Appraiser
Settling an estate is challenging enough without jewelry disputes, tax penalties, or undervaluing heirlooms. A professional estate jewelry appraisal eliminates uncertainty and ensures compliance, fairness, and peace of mind.
Contact Lauren O Jewels today to schedule your estate or heirloom jewelry appraisal in Petaluma, Sonoma County, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, Palo Alto, Atherton, or the Bay Area.