Q: Why is it a good idea to get your jewelry appraised?

A: A jewelry appraisal is an official document that accurately identifies, describes and evaluates your valuable jewelry based on the current prices of gold or platinum, quality of the metal, gemstones and workmanship. The appraisal should include a photograph of your item(s). Usually appraisal is needed for insurance replacement value (in case your jewelry is damaged, lost or stolen), which is what it would cost to purchase a like item, similar in quality of materials and craftsmanship. A thorough, detailed appraisal is essential when trying to recover and identify your precious possessions. Because gold and gem prices change, insurance companies require an updated appraisal every five years. Our appraisal department is often asked to examine and evaluate a deceased loved one’s entire jewelry collection; if there were no previous appraisals (or outdated ones) a family is often clueless as to each piece‘s value and therefore unsure of how to equally divide among family members. In such cases, there are estate appraisals where the values will be lower than insurance replacement appraisals.

—Kaye Irwin, Graduate Gemologist
The New Goldsmith Gallery Fine Jewelers - Placerville, CA

Q: When it comes to catering, what’s the difference between a gratuity and a service charge?

A: For catering, a service charge compensates the caterer for site surveys, overhead, proposals, tastings, menu research, food prep (prior to the day of service) and phone conversations. Gratuity goes to the wait staff and kitchen crew for on-site labor the day of the client’s event. Caterers and event planners spend most of their time pouring over menus, timelines, pull sheets, rental orders, weather forecasts, load schedules, staffing matrices and production sheets. The service of the food and beverage is actually a smaller piece, but is most important! As the saying goes, “It’s all in the prep,” which is doubly important when planning catered events or delivering food for a client’s special, once-in-a-lifetime event.

—Andy Tannehill, Co-Owner
Table Nectar Local and Organic Catering and Manzanita Kitchen & Events - Diamond Springs, CA