MajorsSep 16, 2026
Midas Chain Releases ‘House of Midas’ Bridal CatalogThe new bridal catalog features the latest jewelry collections and designs from timeless classics to modern silhouettes.
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
EditorsSep 15, 2026
2026 Emmys Jewelry: An Either/Or Proposition Stars wore either a necklace or earrings at 78th Primetime Emmy Awards but rarely both, Natalie Francisco notes.
ColumnistsSep 15, 2026
The Levels Your Website Must Clear Before AI Recommends YouJennifer Shaheen compares this new era of AI-powered SEO to a video game: your website must clear one level before advancing to the next.
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.
IndependentsSep 15, 2026
Armadani Launches Retail Support Program for Holiday SeasonThe program highlights “Made in Italy” fine jewelry with digital merchandising, sales education, and local marketing support.
Weekly QuizSep 10, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
Q&A: Signet Jewelers’ Joan Hilson on Diamond Demand, the HolidaysHilson, Signet’s chief operating and financial officer, discussed Q2, resurgent natural diamond demand, and why Blue Nile is a standout.
ColumnistsSep 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: Stop Waiting for December to Save Your ChristmasThe stores that have a great December are the ones that made good decisions in August, September, and October, Sherry Smith writes.
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.
AuctionsSep 14, 2026
22 Carats of ‘Sunshine’ Are Up for AuctionThe 22.09-carat fancy yellow “Pragnell Kimberley Sunshine Diamond” is part of the fall jewelry sale at Heritage Auctions.
IndependentsSep 14, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers to Unveil Photography Exhibition“Adornos: Jewelry, Memory & What We Pass Down” honors the jewelry’s importance to New York City’s Latine communities.
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Gemfields Sells All Lots at First Emerald Auction in 9 MonthsThe company’s managing director of sales said the results demonstrate “continued strong demand for commercial-quality emeralds.”
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Pledges Support for Eye Care ProgramThe nonprofit awarded a grant to the Gift of Sight initiative spearheaded by South African musician Black Coffee.
CollectionsSep 11, 2026
A Sapphire ‘Stardust’ Ring From Greenwich St. Jewelers The Latine-owned New York jeweler is marking two milestones this year: its 50th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
MajorsSep 11, 2026
The Wishing Place by JTV OpensThe jewelry retail broadcast network has sponsored a new space for Make-A-Wish East Tennessee on its campus in Knoxville.
Events & AwardsSep 11, 2026
The Edge Awards Scholarships to 2 Young Jewelry ProfessionalsThe recipients were recognized at the 24 Karat Club of the Southeastern United States’ annual banquet.
MajorsSep 10, 2026
Lagos Founder Steven Lagos Steps Down as CEO Keith Rolfe, CFO and COO of Lagos, is now at the jewelry brand’s helm while Steven takes on the role of executive chairman.
CrimeSep 10, 2026
FBI Offers $50K Reward for ‘Most Wanted’ Fugitive in $1M Jewelry HeistAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged in the armed robbery of a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and remains at large.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Massive Matched Pair of Paraíba Tourmalines Head to Sotheby’sThe “Kat Florence Luminas” will be offered together as one lot and could fetch up to $637,000.
SourcingSep 10, 2026
AGTA Announces 4 Newly Elected DirectorsFour directors were elected to the AGTA board and will serve three-year terms beginning in February.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Former Sotheby’s, Christie’s Exec Appointed CEO of Julien’s Auctions Ken Citron joins the celebrity memorabilia-focused auction house ahead of its first week-long series of events in Abu Dhabi.
FinancialsSep 09, 2026
Signet Jewelers to ‘Double Down’ on Blue Nile Amid Strong SalesThe jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.
IndependentsSep 09, 2026
Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelers Closes After Nearly 80 YearsThe Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.
SourcingSep 09, 2026
Fura Gems Notes ‘Remarkable’ Interest in Larger Rubies at Latest SaleThe auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.
MajorsSep 09, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Catalog Includes Its New Demi-Fine CollectionFine Jewelry 2027-2028 has more than 900 new styles, including silver, gold-filled, gold-plated sterling silver, and vermeil jewelry.
Policies & IssuesSep 09, 2026
8 Key Changes the FTC Made to the Jewelry Guides: A Refresher Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
