Our Ethical Standards: Why We Don't Offer Appraisals
Houston Jewelry demonstrates our commitment to ethical business practices in many ways. One important distinction is that we do not offer appraisal services—even though many jewelers do. Here's why this matters:
The Difference Between Evaluations and Appraisals
A professional appraisal is a detailed, unbiased assessment prepared by an independent professional bound by strict ethical codes to serve the property owner's interests. True appraisers are members of recognized professional associations:
- American Society of Appraisers (ASA) - www.appraisers.org
- International Society of Appraisers (ISA) - www.isa-appraisers.org
The Conflict of Interest
A jeweler who buys, sells, or trades jewelry has a fundamental conflict of interest. If we're evaluating something to purchase, we have financial incentive to undervalue it. An ethical business doesn't misrepresent its interests.
When you bring jewelry to Houston Jewelry for trade-in or sale, we provide a professional evaluation based on current market rates. We're honest about what that is: our assessment serves our business interests. For insurance, estate planning, or other purposes requiring objective valuation, we recommend consulting an independent appraiser from ASA or ISA.
GIA Certification ≠ Appraisal Expertise
Our GIA-certified gemologists receive world-class training in diamond and gemstone identification and grading—not appraisal methodology. These are different professional credentials. We're transparent about the distinction.
Why does this matter? In an industry built on trust, we believe it's important to know whether a business prioritizes your interests or quick profit. Houston Jewelry chooses ethics.
Learn more about our ethical standards →