Hi Carol,

an appraisal is often demanded by the buyer for an item with a high cost as in the case of natural pearls or other gem stones to make sure they are not cultivated, treated or enhanced in other ways (this is mostly the case with gem stones). And of course to make sure one doesn´t get a fake. As for appraised value - this is only for insurance companies so you can get a piece in approx. the same value as the appraisal has stated. If you are naive enough to pay the appraised value in a B & M store, you indeed are being ripped off in my opinion.