SERVICES
ELITE CREDENTIALS. GLOBAL SERVICE.
Deborah Villepigue, GIA-GG, RMV, AGA, APPA, CGA, AGS-ICGA, owner of The Jewelry Appraiser, Inc. is a diversely experienced jewelry appraiser, as well as former designer and manufacturer, offering personal, professional, and forensic valuation of a variety of assets. The Jewelry Appraiser, Inc. is a fully certified independent gemology lab delivering expert appraisals, color grading and confirming GIA certifications.
pERSONAL
Are you shopping for high-end jewelry in New York? Our Manhasset location serves all of Long Island as well as the entire New York City metropolitan area. Before you buy, get an appraisal to make sure you know what you are buying. Deborah A. Villepigue GIA-GG, RMV, AGA, APPA, CGA, AGS-ICGA has assisted judges, celebrities, collectors and individuals in their diamond, jewel and gemological valuation needs. Whether you need an appraisal for insurance purposes, need help with the valuation of an estate or want to determine the true value of your jewelry, we will make the process simple for you.
PROFESSIONAL
The Jewelry Appraiser, Inc. appraisals are accepted by all courts, the US Government, the IRS, US Customs, Law Enforcement Agencies, major insurance companies, as well as by jewelers, auction houses nationwide and other businesses. Our appraisals are used to determine the identification and value for all jewelry (estate and modern) and metals (precious and base). Appraisal data files are maintained for a period of seven years. Our extensive library includes authoritative appraisal manuals and past and current price indexes, as well as reference books and trade periodicals.
LEGAL/FORENSIC
Deborah A. Villepigue GIA-GG, RMV, AGA, APPA, CGA, AGS-ICGA is a member of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC), which helps to maintain honesty and integrity in the jewelry industry. We have a great passion for upholding the law in this industry. Various courts throughout New York have retained The Jewelry Appraiser Inc., on numerous occasions for expert witness testimony. Additionally, we work with district attorneys on the forensics of jewelry for the purpose of determining value for prosecution or defense, criminal matters and civil matters, such as state and federal inheritance tax basis.
OUR SERVICE PHILOSOPHY
When you work with us, you can expect more than just discerning the value of an asset. Our method of appraising exceeds industry standards and our passion to deliver white glove service is obvious.
The credentials of Deborah Villepigue include a Master Graduate Jeweler degree, which affords her the wisdom to know precisely what goes into making a particular piece of jewelry. She is quite capable of evaluating the jewelry’s workmanship, ensuring that your piece has been properly crafted and is suitable to wear. Our aim is to give you an appraisal you’re confident with.
An appraisal done by someone without the proper training will very often be misinformed, affecting many situations, such as the return policy, a limited warranty, the value of an heirloom, insurance coverage, etc. Most insurance companies will not cover the workmanship that goes into making a piece of jewelry. The qualified appraiser’s ability to know precisely whether a particular piece is or isn’t made correctly can mean the difference between feeling 100% secure or 100% sorry.
Without a proper evaluation, a consumer may never be able to recover a substantial loss. The Jewelry Appraiser, Inc’s facility contains only the most modern on-site and mobile laboratories for inspection, identification or analysis of diamonds, colored gems, metals and fine jewelry.
The Jewelry Appraiser, Inc. utilizes a wide array of gemological trade supplies and industry research to conduct appraisals. Constantly pursuing additional education through the industry’s most respected organizations, Deborah Villepigue, uses the most current tools and technologies available.
We work hard to ensure our expertise and passion remain at the top of our profession, involving great persistence and dedication, which has led us to become widely recognized as a leader in this field. Our competencies include conducting research with in-house reference tools, including the industry’s latest reference library, marketing, evaluating pricing and consumer trends for diamonds, colored gemstones, precious metals and fine jewelry, and more.
All appraisals and services rendered by Deborah Villepigue and The Jewelry Appraiser, Inc., are governed by the industry’s leading recognized diamond grading system of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the Code of Ethics of The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA), the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practices (USPAP) and The American Society Of Appraisers (ASA).
SERVICES
Learn more about our services below or check out what sets The Jewelry Appraiser, Inc. apart here and view the full experience of Deborah Villepigue, GIA-GG, RMV, AGA, APPA, CGA, AGS-ICGA.
- REPLACEMENT VALUATION for comparable insurance coverage underwriting
- FAIR MARKET VALUATION for estate, taxation, or distribution
- MARKETABLE CASH VALUATION for trade or prospective sale of personal jewelry
- DAMAGE ASSESSMENT VALUATION for insurance and capital loss
- DONATION VALUATION for charitable giving
Buying an expensive piece of jewelry can be exciting, exhilarating, adventuresome, frustrating, tiring, confusing and time-consuming all at the same time! Often, shopping at more places only adds to your indecision. In sharp contrast to even a mere decade ago, today you have a lot of options when buying a piece of jewelry. Do you have a style, period, manufacturer, dealer or source in mind?
In the metropolitan Tri-State area, a very similar piece of jewelry can often be purchased from a variety of sources, at a wide range of prices! Often The Jewelry Appraiser, Inc. can save you a notable amount of money. The first and most important step in navigating your way to your perfect piece of jewelry is understanding your needs, preferences and tastes. If you don’t know where to begin, we’d love to help you discover what you’re seeking. We offers you deep passion, understanding and experience with gems, various precious metals, methods of manufacturing, craftsmanship, artisans, the jewelry industry, local and global markets as well as the history and culture of jewelry.
Our breadth of knowledge allows us to direct you to the most appropriate sources to best satisfy your expectations. Jewelry is often handed down from generation to generation—you are buying not just for the present, but for all eternity. If you need help deciding which timeless piece your family will love for generations to come, please know we’re here as your trusted partner!
The Jewelry Appraiser is here to serve your needs. Deborah A. Villepigue GIA-GG, RMV, AGA, APPA, CGA, AGS-ICGA has a mobile lab that can travel wherever necessary. On many occasions she has traveled on buying trips for large stores to secure new inventory. She also helps local shops. Deborah can meet you wherever needed, or you can bring your pieces into the lab. Either way, we’re happy to help you make sure your buying decisions are well informed and something you’ll be happy with for years to come.
Additionally, The Jewelry Appraiser, Inc. appraises estate items of all types. Our appraisals are used to determine the identification and value of jewelry (estate and modern), metals (precious and base), gem stones and diamonds, rough and polished, silverware, flatware, watches including table-top and pocket watches, clocks, micro mosaic pictures and jewelry, wall hangings, tables, antiques and vintage valuables.
Experienced designer, manufacturer and consultant
Deborah A. Villepigue GIA-GG, RMV, AGA, APPA, CGA, AGS-ICGA has extensive experience in nearly all aspects of the jewelry industry. She has experience as a buyer of colored gemstones, pearls, and diamonds for television productions and reputable retailers starting in the ’80s. She has also been a designer and manufacturer of jewelry for major catalogs that have circulated in the U.S. and internationally. Her expertise in colored gemstones, diamonds, cultured pearls, and natural pearls was greatly enhanced during her employment as a consultant & designer for American Express in the Fine Jewelry Department. There, Deborah was in charge of sorting, buying and selling all natural, treated gemstone & diamonds and their synthetic counterparts.
Gem laboratory
As an Independent Certified and Accredited Gem Laboratory, our appraisals are identify the value of jewelry, metals, gem stones and diamonds, rough and polished, silverware, flatware, watches including table-top and pocket watches, clocks, micro mosaic pictures and jewelry, wall hangings, tables, antiques and vintage valuables.
Historian, forensic expert
Deborah’s unique expertise includes new contemporary jewelry, for which she conducts forensics testing on real or fraudulent goods being sold to determine a value for prosecution or defense. Alongside district attorneys, she often assists with details for criminal and civil matters, inheritance taxes, divorces and estate appraisals.
Designer, manufacturer
She also was a designer and manufacturer of jewelry for major catalogs that have circulated in the U.S. and internationally. Her expertise in colored gemstones and pearls was greatly enhanced during her employment as a consultant for American Express in the Fine Jewelry Department.
Purchaser, advisor
Previously, Deborah was a buyer of colored gemstones, pearls, and diamonds for television productions and major retailers. As an advisor to members and organizations of the jewelry industry, Deborah works hard to promote and maintain honesty and integrity in jewelry wholesale, manufacture and retail sectors.
Equipment consultant
As a consultant in gemological equipment departments, Deborah helped to develop the GMK Microscope and many other tools that are used worldwide by the jewelry industry. Her contributions have also led to improvements in LED lighting.
Native American supporter
For decades, Deborah has been active with many Native American organizations and works closely with the Native American Councils as a designer and creator of art and jewelry. She also lectures on Native American Jewelry, stones, artwork and culture.
Deborah’s unique expertise includes new contemporary jewelry, for which she conducts forensics testing on real or fraudulent goods being sold to determine a value for prosecution or defense. Alongside probate and district attorneys, she often assists with details for criminal and civil matters, inheritance taxes, divorces, estate appraisals, fraud and insurance litigation.
Our appraisals identify and determine the value of all jewelry (estate and modern), metals (precious and base), gem stones and diamonds (rough and polished), silverware, flatware, watches including table-top and pocket watches, clocks, micro mosaic pictures and jewelry, wall hangings, tables, antiques and vintage valuables.
Deborah is a member of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC), which helps to maintain honesty and integrity in the jewelry industry. She is also a member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, as well as The American Society of Jewelry Historians and regularly furthers her education and training through The American Society of Appraisers, the Gemological Institute of America, the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, the Forensics of Gemology and the American Gem Society. This expertise has made her a trusted professional by various courts throughout New York for expert witness testimony. Additionally, she often gives educational lectures on behalf of the Bar Association and other organizations related to the sale, liquidation, donation and more of precious assets.