Paul D. Indorf, GG, ICGA

For Private Individuals

• Insurance Appraisals: These are the most common type of appraisals. They are used to obtain insurance coverage on existing or newly acquired jewelry. We will provide detailed documentation used to establish the approximate retail replacement value of the item(s) to be insured. Questions to ask insurance agents.
• Estate Appraisals: In the event you are named executor of an estate or conservator for an individual, an estate appraisal may be necessary. The attorney handling probate will advise you if this is so. If necessary, we will prepare an estate appraisal documenting the fair market value of the included items.
• Equitable Distribution Appraisals: If you have had items passed down that need to be split up between several individuals, we can prepare a report documenting the values of items to facilitate distribution. In addition, we can convert the report to individual insurance appraisals after distribution.
• Hypothetical Appraisals: If you have had a loss and did not have the items scheduled with your insurance, we can prepare a hypothetical appraisal based on your description of the items. We will work directly with your insurance agent if necessary.
• Customs Reports: We can prepare a report detailing all the jewelry you are taking on a trip abroad. This report will show the US Customs you owned the jewelry prior to leaving the country and you will not be asked to pay import duty on re-entry.
• Donation Reports: For non-cash charitable donations in excess of $5,000, the IRS requires Form 8283 be completed and attached to your federal income tax return along with a donation appraisal report. We can help you fill out the form as well as prepare an accurate appraisal of your jewelry.
• Damage Reports: Damage reports are used to document damage to a gemstone or the mounting. They are requested by insurance companies in response to a damage claim. We will prepare the requested report and work directly with your insurance agent if necessary.
• Gem Identification: We can help answer any questions you may have on any finished gemstone. If you found something or purchased a gemstone and you need assistance or further explanation, we can help.
• Third Party Escrow/Buyer Assistance: If you are buying something on the internet and would like to view it before purchasing, we can provide an independent third party escrow service for you and the seller. Additionally, we can verify the gemstone's authenticity and provide an appraisal.

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For Legal Professionals

• Estate Appraisals: We can provide you with the fair market value documentation required to meet IRS guidelines in the resolution of a decedent's estate. We can also assist in equitable distribution to heirs or liquidation of estate assets. Additionally, we will act as the supervisory appraiser by contracting and coordinating the efforts of the other assigned personal property appraisers.
• Prenuptial/Divorce Appraisals: These appraisals can be used to document the value and identify jewelry owned by either or both parties in a prenuptial agreement or marriage dissolution. We can provide an independent evaluation to help remove the emotion from the situation.
• Litigation Support: If your client disagrees with appraisal work performed by another appraiser, we can provide an independent evaluation and valuation of the jewelry in question. Additionally, we will act as a consultant for any jewelry related situation you may encounter. Services include: expert witness, arbitration, deposition and court appearances.
• Liquidation Reports: These are normally used during bankruptcy or liquidation of business assets. We can go to the location of the jewelry, whether it be in a bank vault, individual's home, place of business or your conference room to conduct the appraisal.
• Collateral Appraisals: Collateral appraisals are used when gems and/or jewelry is to be used in place of cash in a transaction. We can provide an accurate "Fair Market" appraisal of the pledged items.
• Donation Appraisals: These reports allow the donor to claim the qualifying tax deduction with the IRS for donations greater than $5,000. We will prepare the donation appraisal and the appraiser's portion of the IRS Form 8283. 

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For Insurance Professionals

• Insurance Appraisals: Your clients will be provided with a detailed and accurate appraisal of replacement cost for their items for use in scheduling jewelry insurance. Please refer your clients to Connecticut Jewelry Appraisers, an independent, professional and experienced appraiser you can trust.
• Damage Reports: We will work directly with the adjuster, if necessary, and produce a detailed report documenting the damage and replacement/repair costs.
• Casualty Loss Reports: Casualty loss reports are utilized to substantiate the loss of an item to claim a tax loss with the IRS. We will meet with your client to review any information that they may have regarding their property and prepare any desired reports.
• Hypothetical Appraisals: These are appraisals performed after an unscheduled item has been stolen or lost. We will interview the client and produce a report using their description of the item as a basis for valuation and replacement. We will work directly with the adjuster to resolve any issues that may arise.
• Litigation Support: We will act as a consultant for any jewelry related situation you may encounter. Services include: expert witness, arbitration, deposition and court appearances.

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For Personal Property Appraisers

• Estate Appraisals: We can assist with the jewelry portion of any estate appraisal you may encounter. You may register with us to be notified for referrals and subcontractor services.
• Liquidation Appraisals: We can assist with the jewelry portion of any liquidation scenario. Our equipment is fully portable requiring only electric power.
• Litigation/Consultation Support: We can provide support and advice for any jewelry related situation you may encounter.

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For Jewelry Professionals

• Insurance Appraisals: We can provide your customers with an detailed and accurate appraisal of their jewelry for the purpose of purchasing insurance. On-site appraisal services or special appraisal events may be arranged by calling us at (860) 391-3001.
• Litigation/Consultation Support: Problem resolution is best handled out of court. Whether a misunderstanding has occurred between your business and a client or between you and a vendor, we can help. We will advise you on a well thought-out course of action.
• Education: We can provide gemological or appraisal training to your sales staff.

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For Non-Profit Organizations

• Donation Appraisals: These reports allow your donor to claim the qualifying tax deduction with the IRS for donations greater than $5,000. We will prepare the donation appraisal and the appraiser's portion of the IRS Form 8283. 

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