EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Brought to you by
The Future of Jewelry Appraisals is Digital: An Instappraise Case Study with David Scott Fine Jewelry
With more and more people ditching printed appraisals, Instappraise's digital platform makes the process simple, quick and easily accessible.
Brought To You By Instappraise
General Manager of David Scott Fine Jewelry Keith Courtney is a satisfied user of the Instappraise.com platform. With two brick-and-mortar locations in Florida, David Scott Fine Jewelry was seeking an appraisal creation and management platform that was cloud-based, so employees from both stores could access the same information seamlessly. Keith and his team decided to try the Instappraise platform in 2019 and soon after transitioned completely to Instappraise from their old appraisal platform. To read what Keith has to say about his experience with Instappraise, continue reading the interview below.
Please describe your overall experience with Instappraise.
Keith Courtney
We started with Instappraise in the mid-way of 2019. We were looking for a solution. We were using another software vendor before, and it also did a good job, but it was not web-based. It wasn't nearly as advanced.
When we joined Instappraise, or at least did the test drive, it checked all the boxes for everything that we were looking for. We went from a single-store operation to a two-store operation, which made it nice to be web-based. Both stores could see that information.
One of the things I love about it is that the Instappaise team is so open to ideas, so anytime I have a suggestion or something that I think can be fixed or improved, they are always very responsive about taking that into consideration and trying to make it better as a whole for all the users.
Can you describe your overall impressions about the onboarding experience for Instappraise?
Keith Courtney
Well, to be honest, the system - at least for me - seems so intuitive that even before we had our chance to do the onboarding, we were able to bring ourselves up to speed really quickly. It was very easy when we did the onboarding.
How would you describe the learning curve and the ease of use?
Keith Courtney
Anybody that has a basic knowledge of the industry that we're in can jump headfirst into it and get up to speed very, very quickly.
How has the Instappraise platform changed the way that you create, manage, and think about appraisals for your business?
Keith Courtney
Well, I'll tell you one thing, right off the bat, we used to do appraisals the hard way, you know, literally a Word document and print it out. So I'm much more apt to offer appraisals to everybody now, which obviously increases revenue. It makes it so easy, not only for us, but for the customers too because they have an online portal where they can manage all of their appraisals and send them to their insurance carriers.
“I'm much more apt to offer appraisals to everybody now, which obviously increases revenue. It makes it so easy, not only for us, but for the customers too,” says Keith Courtney, General Manager of David Scott Fine Jewelry, Panama City, FL.
We have two stores now, and if they do an appraisal that needs attention on our side, easy, it's done. Or if a customer comes in and has questions, it's so easy just to look at their account, manage their account, see all the appraisals that they have in their account. It's just all right there.
What types of feedback have you received from customers regarding their appraisals since you started adopting this new process?
Keith Courtney
The first thing is the professional look and feel of it all. Everything is laid out concisely. It has a very modern, yet clean aesthetic to it. The customers can see all the information spelled out right there in front of them. I think the thing that they're most impressed with is the ease of being able to handle their appraisals digitally because all the insurance carriers and customers now don't want paper copies.
They want digital copies. So honestly, we don't really print a lot of appraisals anymore. They're in your inbox, and that makes it really easy.
With Instappraise, jewelers and appraisers can now offer an online portal for their customers to access and manage their jewelry appraisals.
How do you think it's impacted the customer experience overall?
Keith Courtney
We kind of do two services of appraisals. Anytime anybody buys something in the store, I try to do an appraisal form on it, so there's an added value there for the customers. "We appreciate your business, here's a way to get it insured." But then with customers who are bringing in things, I think they appreciate it and can tell the amount of work that goes into it, because of the way the appraisals are laid out, and the overall quality of it all.
What are your favorite or most frequently used features of the platform?
Keith Courtney
Well, when Instappraise added the importing of the GIA and AGS laboratories, that was eye-opening because before we would open the appraisal report digitally and have to go through and do all that. That saves so much time.
The description builder's great. It really helps you to quickly build a description for that piece of item. The new 360-degree videos, if you can take advantage of them, are great. Another thing, when the customer logs in digitally, it really looks like a million bucks.
To see the platform in-action, click on the image below.
To see the platform in-action, click on the image below.
What would you like others to know about the platform?
Keith Courtney
One thing that I've been most impressed with is probably the people. I think it's a breath of fresh air when you are able to talk to the person who has such a hand in the product. At the end of the day, their founder is more of a technology guy, and he's not sitting here in a retail jewelry store. But he's taking the time to understand exactly what our needs are and how to best meet those needs. So it's very nice and a breath of fresh air honestly to have someone that's receptive to the things that we're dealing with.
Would you feel comfortable recommending Instappraise to colleagues and industry partners?
Keith Courtney
Oh, yeah, without a doubt. I mean it's so easy because with the free trial you can just jump right in and make sure it's right for your business. There are other solutions out there, but I don't think any have the jeweler's interest in mind quite like Instappraise. It's not only accurate gemologically but easy and time saving. That investment for the small amount of money per month pays off immensely.
More on Technology
The Latest
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
Events & AwardsAug 31, 2026
Wisconsin Museum to Host Jewelry Exhibition“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
CollectionsAug 31, 2026
Catbird Launches First Men’s Jewelry CollectionThe “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
IndependentsAug 28, 2026
Day’s Jewelers Honored With 3 Workplace AwardsThe employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.
CollectionsAug 27, 2026
Pandora Expands ‘Talisman’ Collection as Lawsuit Continues The second iteration of the jewelry collection was inspired by the zodiac and the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.
SourcingAug 27, 2026
OFAC Renews License Allowing Import of ‘Grandfathered’ Russian Diamonds General License 104B supersedes General License 104A, which was set to expire on Sept. 1.
CrimeAug 27, 2026
Customs Seizes Nearly 900 Pieces of Counterfeit JewelryThe package, intercepted in Indianapolis, contained fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry.
IndependentsAug 27, 2026
Jessica McCormack to Open First West Coast StoreThe new location in Costa Mesa, California, marks the brand’s second store in the United States and fourth standalone location worldwide.
FinancialsAug 27, 2026
Movado’s Q2 Sales Up As Younger Consumers Take Interest in WatchesThe fashion watch category was once threatened by the Apple Watch, but consumers are now opting for new wearables, said Movado’s CEO.
SurveysAug 26, 2026
5 Jewelry Insights From The RealReal’s Resale ReportThe report delves into trending styles, the most popular jewelry brands by city, and why Belle Époque jewelry could be the next big thing.
