Experiences with jewelry appraising?

[xanderbsb]

Have any of you had experience with getting jewelry appraised? (I did a search but I didn't find any threads on this topic.)

I ask because I recently won a Helen Ficalora necklace from a Lucky Magazine sweepstakes. (You can see more in my post here: http://forum.purseblog.com/the-jewe...n-ficalora-jewelry-520649-3.html#post15098048)

I was told the value is $1,060.00 but I want to get it appraised to see if the value is lower so that I won't have to pay a heavy tax on it while I file my taxes next year.

How much is a jewelry appraisal?
What documents should I get when I get my jewelry appraised?
How do I know if a person is qualified to appraise jewelry?

Any advice or tips is very much appreciated!

 

[Vegas Long Legs]

Appreciate your honesty Did you have to provide a SS# to the company when you won this?
Do you know what tax bracket you are in?
(Sounds like taxes went down for most of the population.)
Would your insurance company give you an appraisal if you asked?
Do you know how much gold is in it?

 

[xanderbsb]

Appreciate your honesty Did you have to provide a SS# to the company when you won this?
Do you know what tax bracket you are in?
(Sounds like taxes went down for most of the population.)
Would your insurance company give you an appraisal if you asked?
Do you know how much gold is in it?

I wasn't asked for my SS# from the company I won the necklace from.

I don't know my exact tax bracket. I've been unemployed since January 2009 and I currently have no source of income.

I didn't know insurance companies gave appraisals. The only insurance I have is on my car and that's through Allstate.

A lady from the company I won from told me that the tea rose pendant is 14k yellow gold and that the chain is also 14k yellow gold.