5 Best Jewelry Appraisal Shops in Winnipeg That Locals Trust for Spot on Valuations
My friend recently had her earrings appraised for selling and ended up getting scammed. She walked in expecting a fair offer and walked out with a quote that felt…too low.
The appraiser told her the diamond earrings were barely worth $400, but the person who originally gifted them confirmed the set had actually cost almost $2,000.
After that little fiasco, my friend begged me to help her find trustworthy appraisal services. She was planning to unload a couple more pieces, and certainly didn’t want to be lowballed again.
Of course, I helped her! I made a shortlist of experts who know what they’re doing and how to treat people fairly. To help you avoid getting ripped off, you can check our curated list of Winnipeg’s top jewelry appraisal services below!
How much does jewelry appraisal cost in Winnipeg?
In Winnipeg, jewelry appraisal services cost around $80 for the first piece and about $60 for each additional piece.
More complex or gemstone-heavy jewelry sometimes costs more.
1. IJL Since 1937
Address: 493 Notre Dame Ave
Phone: +1 204-774-5544
Business hours:
- Mon – Sat: 10 AM–5:30 PM
IJL Since 1937 began when John H. Epp sold watches and shavers door-to-door in the North End. In the span of several decades, they’ve branched out to selling precious stones and appraising jewelry.
These days, most of the technical work is done in-house. They use gemological equipment and gold testing instruments, so they can assess the material’s purity, as well as brand authenticity.
You don’t even need an appointment; simply walk in with your piece, and they’ll take a look. Very convenient, if you ask me.
After the assessment, you get a detailed printed or digital report that’s suitable for insurance or legal purposes. This includes stone and metal specs and replacement value—just nifty little details you need for peace of mind.
A little heads up, though: we heard that the staff can get a bit testy during peak seasons.
The customer service was phenomenal
“I took a family ring in for appraisal and size adjustment. The customer service was phenomenal. The staff were kind, informative, and not pushy or aggressive with upsells. I received the appraisal and size adjustment within the time frame they had stated. The ring looks beautiful. I will definitely be a return customer.” — Matthew Nordick, Google Review
Extremely positive, knowledgeable, and helpful
“I have had nothing but positive experiences when dealing with IJL. The entire team there is polite, patient, and willing to walk you through all of your questions. I’ve had the particular pleasure of working with Sunny who is extremely positive, knowledgeable, and helpful.Sunny spent the time to help me pick out the best jewelry, watches, and accessories that fit my wants and interests. Do not hesitate to do business with her or IJL! You won’t be disappointed.” — Zech, Google Review
2. Vandenbergs Fine Jewellery
Address: 1858 Portage Ave
Phone: +1 204-487-4732
Business hours:
- Tue – Fri: 10 AM–5:30 PM
- Saturday: 10 AM–4 PM
For over 28 years, Vandenbergs Fine Jewellery has been celebrating customers’ milestones by offering quality jewelry and other related services.
When a shop keeps that kind of relationship with customers for nearly three decades, it’s no surprise they’ve picked up seven Consumer Choice Awards along the way.
One of their real strengths is older pieces. Their certified experts actually understand historical styles and construction methods, making them comfortable to work with antique and vintage jewelry.
Don’t be shy if you have damaged or incomplete pieces, either. They can still accurately assess them, while also noting how much they’ll be valued after restoration.
What’s cool is that each appraisal comes with a written report that meets professional standards. Expect detailed descriptions, photographs, the jeweller’s signature, and credentials, complete with their letterhead for insurance and legal purposes.
Just a word of advice—you might want to confirm the pricing upfront, since we heard reports of surprise charges.
They were super kind
“I came in with a piece that I wasn’t sure was even real diamonds or gold. Turned out it wasn’t, but they were super kind! Super helpful. If I do end up getting my hands on something that has a better chance of being real, I’ll definitely be back!” — Eve Lavallee, Google Review
Full marks for customer service
“I believed my rings were too damaged to repair, or it would be cost-prohibitive to do so. I am truly grateful to Omar and Vandenbergs. The entire experience was wonderful. Full marks for customer service, efficiency, and reasonable cost. I would not hesitate to recommend this fine jewellery store.” — Dru Ball, Google Review
3. Gerry’s Jewellery & Appraisals
Address: 93 Lombard Ave #301
Phone: +1 204-942-5102
Business hours:
- Mon – Fri: 10 AM–6 PM
Gerry’s Jewellery & Appraisals is led by Gerry himself, and we’re floored by his credentials. Not only does he have more than 30 years of experience, but he also received his training at the Gemological Institute of America.
That’s probably why he’s confident enough to let you watch everything as it happens. The shop’s while-you-wait appraisals are done right in front of you, start to finish, and most pieces are wrapped up in about 15 minutes.
They provide detailed descriptions, photos, and gem grading, along with an estimated insurance or resale value. Background notes on market conditions are also added—perfect for those dabbling in that sector.
For accuracy, all jewelry you bring in is fully cleaned before the actual appraisal. It’s a small touch that most customers appreciate.
Unfortunately, we heard a few customers complain about their low estimates. If you walk out with that same uneasy feeling, it’s worth taking the report and getting a second opinion, just to calm your nerves.
Honest and explains everything in detail
“Excellent service! I got my wedding and engagement rings sized and appraised. I had them back in a week, looking better than new, and they fit perfectly! Better price than the big stores! Gerry is great to deal with. Honest and explains everything in detail. Wonderful experience! Thank you, Gerry!” — Dave & Chris Senkow, Google Review
Gerry was thorough, honest, and professional
“Made a visit to this appraiser based on reviews. They did not disappoint. Gerry was thorough, honest and professional. Calling ahead or emailing to set an appointment made the best sense, so he has time set aside for you.” — Laurie Sodomlak, Google Review
4. Third Party Appraisals
Address: 955 St Mary’s Rd
Phone: +1 204-900-9096
Business hours:
- Tue – Fri: 10 AM–5:30 PM
- Saturday: 10 AM–3 PM
Third Party Appraisals is run by Steve, a second-generation jeweller with over two decades of hands-on experience. He earned his Graduate Gemologist and Accredited Jewellery Professional degrees from GIA and also received a PJA designation.
He went the extra mile by receiving the Certified Appraisal Professional title (CAP-PJA), making him one of only three people in Winnipeg with that distinction. This certification requires ongoing maintenance, and every appraisal uses the current year’s seal.
As for the actual service, Steve and his team handle appraisals for estates, insurance, wholesale, divorce, and more, all carried out in a fully certified on-site gem lab built for this exact kind of work.
But unlike traditional shops, they’re willing to perform home visits upon request. This is a relief if you have large collections or want to make the valuation a secret.
Personality-wise, we did hear that Steve can come across as a bit grouchy. But it seems most clients had favorable encounters with him.
Service was quick, professional, and thorough
“I had a great experience here. There was no bias toward any stone, whether lab-created or natural, during the appraisal. The service was quick, professional, and thorough. They also take the time to educate you about stones and the 4Cs, ensuring you feel confident in your understanding. The staff was knowledgeable and friendly, making the entire process smooth and enjoyable. I highly recommend this place for appraisals. Overall, a fantastic job!” — Brandon Asmundson, Google Review
Very fast, friendly, and professional appraisal service
“Very fast, friendly and professional appraisal service. We couldn’t have been happier with their work! Needed 3 appraisals in a pinch for time, and they came through expertly and fast. Thank you!” — Sherry, Google Review
5. Diamond Gallery
Address: 1-1735 Corydon Ave
Phone: +1 204-488-9813
Business hours:
- Tuesday: 10:30 AM–5 PM
- Wed – Thurs: 10:30 AM–4 PM
- Friday: 10:30 AM–5 PM
- Saturday: 10 AM–2 PM
Diamond Gallery opened in 1992 and hasn’t really slowed down since. This family-run shop has managed to rack up serious accolades such as Canadian Independent Jeweller of the Year and the Retail Ambassador of the Year.
At the center of it all is Allan Malbrack, who’s been in the industry for a whopping 50 years. No wonder he’s the first of only nine Certified Appraisal Professionals in Western Canada.
He welcomes walk-ins but also accepts scheduled in-person consultations for added convenience. The best part is that his services are comparatively more affordable at $65. From what we’ve learned, this is lower than many competitors, who start at $80.
Hopefully, he’s in a good mood when you visit, since we heard that he can be rude or demeaning at times.
Timely service and great attention to detail
“Thanks to Allan, Anita, and Lisa for rejuvenating my wedding rings! We recently had my wedding rings inspected, repaired and appraised after over 20 years of marriage. The craftsmanship of the work was as excellent as it was when we bought the rings, with timely service, great attention to detail, and all aspects of the work explained in advance. I love my wedding rings just as much now as I did over 20 years ago, when Allan custom-designed them! We have enjoyed our experiences with this incredibly talented local family team at The Diamond Gallery. The quality of the work is always excellent and creative. They are always a pleasure to visit, they remember the milestones in our life, and are always friendly and professional.” — Suzanne Doyle, Google Review
Absolutely wonderful family to work with
“Absolutely wonderful family to work with. They are First Class in my books!” — Stephen Wiwchar, Google Review