EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE: “People have always loved jewelry. It always has a story and sentiment, and it can be passed down through the generations. It has memory.” MaryBeth Kroh, GG, ICGA (left) and Laura Fiabane, GG, AJA, RJ, owners of Fiabane & Kroh, enjoy educating clients about the quality and value of their jewelry.

It is very personal, and its value can be measured on many levels. Perhaps it is a treasured piece passed down from a great-grandmother, or a specially-designed engagement ring just presented to the bride-to-be, or a gorgeous strand of black South Sea pearls — unique and rare.

Whatever the piece, Fiabane & Kroh Fine Jewelry Appraisals and Consulting can help clients establish the market and insurance value.

In addition to appraisal, the firm offers new jewelry design and re-design of older and antique pieces. Further, it provides single and multi-day programs and training sessions for retailers and wholesalers.

Owners Laura Fiabane, GG, AJA, RJ and MaryBeth Kroh, GG, ICGA are experts in jewelry design and appraisal. Ms. Kroh has 35 years experience in the jewelry business. Originally from Kansas, she attended the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in California. After receiving her Graduate Gemologist degree, she worked with J.E. Caldwell in Philadelphia, and then returned to California to serve at GIA as a resident diamond instructor.

“Rising Star”

Ms. Kroh later returned to the east coast, where she worked for 17 years at Hamilton Jewelers. Earning a degree as a CGA (Certified Gemologist Appraiser), she served as senior appraiser and director of training at Hamilton.

It was there that she met Lauren Fiabane. A Princeton native, Ms. Fiabane also worked at Hamilton Jewelers. She later moved to California to attend GIA, where she received her graduate gemologist and Applied Jewelry Artist diplomas. In 2009, she founded her own jewelry design business, and she was recognized by JCK (Jewelers Circular Keystone) as a “Rising Star,” an up and coming designer in 2010 and by the World Gold Council. The creation of Fiabane & Kroh, headquartered in Burlington, brought her back to the east coast in 2012.

Fiabane & Kroh can provide many services for clients, points out Ms. Kroh. “I have a specialty in antique and estate jewelry. People come to us if they want to have their jewelry insured, or they may wish to liquidate it, or they may just want to know its market value.”

Many factors are involved in determining the value of a piece of jewelry, she adds. “The quality, style, cut, color, weight, and current demand are all part of the evaluation. Every appraisal report is well-researched and documented, and conforms to the standards put forth by the American Society of Appraisers, the American Gemological Society as well as the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.

“I also broker the jewelry,” continues Ms. Kroh. “There is a network of the gemological community. We have clients all over the U.S., and I always keep an eye out for pieces that clients are looking for.”

Fiabane & Kroh offers a virtual vault on-line, which includes pictures and details of the pieces available for purchase.

Best Thing

Ms. Fiabane, who specializes in design, particularly enjoys the creativity involved in fashioning unique pieces for clients. “The best thing is when someone brings in an inherited piece that they have a sentimental attachment for, but they’d like it to have a new look. I can re-imagine it and transform it into something with even more sentiment.

“For example, when a client brings in a piece and says, ‘this was my grandmother’s’, I can re-design it, and not only does it give new life to the piece, but often new life to the relationship. I like to create things that are timeless, yet focus on the personality of the person and how that person is unique. I try to find out about the person’s life-style, their likes and tastes, etc. Then, I can create a custom design. That is a beautiful challenge.”

Diamonds are always in demand, adds Ms. Kroh, and pearls continue to be sought-after. “There are definitely pearl people. Pearls are timeless in their appeal.”

In addition, they offer a variety of new options, notes Ms. Fiabane. “The pearl market has shifted a bit. They can be edgier, more dramatic. For example, we have Tahitian pearls that are faceted, and they actually sparkle at night.

Big and Dramatic

“With jewelry in general, big dramatic pieces are popular, and important names, such as Tiffany and Cartier are always in demand.”

Both Ms. Fiabane and Ms. Kroh enjoy educating clients and helping them to
understand what is involved in creating beautiful jewelry. “You want to educate the clients and help them to understand the piece. We want to share our knowledge with them, and we can help clients in a number of ways. For example, sometimes people are liquidating their jewelry because they need the money. First, we define the value of each piece. Then, our goal is to offer our clients the best possible return.”

Ms. Fiabane is currently working toward her certificate as an independent certified gemological appraiser with the American Gem Society, and both she and Ms. Kroh often travel to gemological events and conferences, continuing to keep up-to-date with the latest information and advances. Ms. Kroh is frequently a speaker at such events.

They are very proud of having established Fiabane & Kroh as a respected ICGA (AGS) firm. “With our skill level, our gemological laboratory, and our business ability, we have achieved our goal. We believe that in order to appreciate, you must first understand. With a foundation built on time-honored jewelry practices and knowledge of current economic climates, we aim to inform and inspire with an innovative approach. And we are passionate about what we do!”

(609) 313-3289. Website: www.fiabaneandkroh.com.