PodcastsAug 19, 2026
Episode 8: Diamond Industry Update With David Bonaparte & Ronnie VanderLindenThe industry veterans join the podcast to discuss diamond marketing, the FTC Jewelry Guides, and lobbying for lower tariffs.
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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Technology
The Latest
MajorsAug 19, 2026
Mike Alexander To Succeed Scott Murphy as Jewelers Mutual CEO Murphy will retire at the end of the year and Alexander, currently the company’s president, will take over at the start of 2027.
Policies & IssuesAug 19, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Embraces Dupes With Trade-In ProgramThe jeweler is encouraging customers who own lookalike rings to come into the store and trade them for credit towards an authentic piece.
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.
MajorsAug 19, 2026
Zales Wants You to Wear Fine Jewelry Every DayThe new campaign, “You Are The Occasion,” discourages shoppers from saving their fine jewelry for special occasions only.
Weekly QuizAug 13, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingAug 19, 2026
Vasant Mehta, a Dedicated Diamond Industry Leader, Dies at 81Mehta led India’s GJEPC through the 2008 financial crisis and was respected worldwide for his wisdom, integrity, and knowledge.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
2 California Men Arrested in Fatal Vehicle Smash RobberyOne is the driver who allegedly crashed a car into a Sacramento jewelry store in April, striking a 71-year-old employee who later died.
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.
ColumnistsAug 18, 2026
Peter Smith: The IKEA Effect and Bridal Branding In a new column, Peter Smith posits that people actually enjoy putting together IKEA furniture, and the same is true for engagement rings.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
Thieves Snatch $1M in Jewelry From New Jersey Jeweler9lakha Jewelers in Iselin, New Jersey, was the target of a smash-and-grab robbery on Aug. 8.
Lab-GrownAug 18, 2026
Ring Concierge, Kendall Jenner’s Tequila Brand Collab on GiveawayThe jeweler has partnered with 818 Tequila to gift lab-grown diamond studs to a bride-to-be and their bridal party.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
Exhibition on Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Studios to Open at The MetThe exhibition will feature more than 100 drawings of stained-glass lampshades, windows, and more, many created by women and émigrés.
CollectionsAug 17, 2026
Marquise Diamonds Dance in Spinelli Kilcollin’s ‘Wren’ CollectionMarquise-cut diamonds in drop charms are the center of the new collection, reflecting the movement of a dancer in modular styles.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
There’s a New Jewelry Show Coming to FloridaThe inaugural Fort Lauderdale Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show will be held from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, 2027.
IndependentsAug 14, 2026
Smyth Jewelers to Open Fourth LocationThe family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.
CrimeAug 14, 2026
Wife of Man Convicted in Jeweler’s Murder Sentenced for Conspiracy Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.
TrendsAug 14, 2026
Paul Morelli’s Latest ‘Wavey Vine’ Earrings Embrace ColorThe reimagined jewel, our Piece of the Week, trades the diamonds in the original 1998 design for blue, pink, yellow, and green sapphires.
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third StoreThe lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap SchemeTwo suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of BossMichel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.
