Trust & Transparency: The New Currency of Jewellery Appraising

Trust & Transparency: The New Currency of Jewellery Appraising

A thought-leadership perspective for a changing industry

In jewellery appraising, trust was once implicit. Clients sought out an appraiser because they were told to, because “that’s how it’s done,” or because the professional title alone was enough.

That era is over.

Today, trust is no longer assumed—it is evaluated. And transparency is the mechanism by which that evaluation happens.

This shift is discussed as part of my book From Start to Success and underpins my speaking theme, “Trust & Transparency Is the New Currency.”. at the Toronto Time and Shine show, April 2026. It reflects not just a change in client behaviour, but a fundamental evolution in how professionalism is measured across our industry.

From Authority to Accountability

Modern clients arrive informed—but not always accurately informed. They bring screenshots, online listings, social-media soundbites, and AI-generated “facts” into conversations that were once straightforward.

This doesn’t diminish the role of the appraiser. It raises the standard.

Authority today is no longer about holding knowledge—it’s about explaining it clearly, documenting it defensibly, and standing behind it ethically.

In this environment, the appraisal report is no longer just a conclusion.

It is evidence of process, judgment, and integrity.

Transparency Is a Professional Skill

Transparency is often misunderstood as simply “being open” or “telling the client everything.” In reality, it is a highly developed professional skill.

It shows up in:

•Explaining why a valuation approach is appropriate for a specific purpose

•Distinguishing clearly between insurance replacement value, market value, and emotional value

•Using consistent nomenclature and recognized grading standards

•Disclosing limitations, assumptions, treatments, and uncertainty without defensiveness

Professional bodies such as the Canadian Gemmological Association, National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, and the Jewellery Valuers Association all emphasize defensibility and clarity—not because it looks good on paper, but because it protects everyone involved.

Transparency is how trust survives scrutiny.

Clients Don’t Just Buy the Number

A recurring theme in my teaching is this:

Clients don’t remember the value—they remember how confident they felt receiving it.

That confidence comes from:

•Clear intake conversations.

•Defined scope of work

•Plain-language explanations

•Appraisals that can be read and understood months or years later

When transparency is built into the process, it reduces conflict, prevents unrealistic expectations, and strengthens long-term relationships.

Trust is not a marketing tactic—it is an operational outcome.

Independence Is the Ultimate Trust Signal

As valuation conversations grow more complex, clients are increasingly sensitive to perceived conflicts of interest. Appraisers who are transparent about their role—and firm about their independence—differentiate themselves immediately.

This includes being clear about:

•Referral relationships

•Dual roles within the trade

•When an assignment should be declined

•Where the appraiser’s responsibility begins and ends

Saying no when appropriate is not lost revenue. It is reputational capital.

And reputation, in today’s market, is cumulative.

Why This Matters Beyond the Individual Appraiser

Trust and transparency don’t just affect individual practices—they shape how the profession is viewed by insurers, courts, lawyers, jewellers, and the public.

Every clear, defensible appraisal strengthens:

•Confidence in professional standards

•Respect for the appraisal role

•The long-term viability of independent valuation

Conversely, every unclear or poorly explained report undermines that collective trust—often in ways the appraiser never sees.

This is why I argue that transparency is not optional. It is a professional obligation.

Trust as a Long-Term Business Strategy

In my book and on stage, I return to the same conclusion:

In a market flooded with information, trust is the differentiator.

In a profession built on value, transparency is the proof.

The appraisers who thrive in the next decade will not be those who simply know the most—but those who can communicate clearly, document responsibly, and earn confidence one client at a time.

Because when everything else is compared, questioned, and commoditized—

Trust really is the new currency.