JewelSnap — the AI jewelry identifier for thrift hunters, heirs, and resellers

JewelSnap returns a confidence score (0–100%) with every scan. For well-lit photos of clearly stamped jewelry, metal-type identification accuracy is typically above 85%. Era dating and gemstone identification accuracy depend heavily on photo quality and the presence of identifying features. The app flags low-confidence results explicitly. For any item potentially worth over $1,000, the recommended workflow is: scan with JewelSnap first, then take only the high-value items to a certified gemologist.

JewelSnap analyzes hallmark stamps, color consistency, wear patterns, and craftsmanship to distinguish solid gold from costume jewelry in the vast majority of cases. It is not designed to detect very high-quality forgeries or to distinguish 14K from 18K with certainty in every case. For genuinely high-stakes verification — buying a $5,000 ring online, valuing a significant inheritance, insurance documentation — physical testing by a jeweler (acid test, electronic gold tester, density analysis) remains the gold standard. JewelSnap is a first filter, not a replacement.

The stamp '750' indicates 18-karat gold — 750 parts per thousand are pure gold (75% pure). It's the European convention for marking gold purity. Other common gold purity stamps: 585 = 14K (58.5% pure), 417 = 10K (41.7%), 375 = 9K (37.5%), 916 = 22K (91.6%), 999 = 24K pure gold. JewelSnap automatically decodes all of these along with maker's marks and country-of-origin assay marks.

PT950 indicates platinum that is 95% pure — the most common platinum standard for fine jewelry. PT900 is 90% pure, PT850 is 85% pure. The marking 'PLAT' alone means at least 95% platinum content in most jurisdictions. Platinum is denser and more valuable per gram than gold, so correctly identifying it matters significantly for valuation.

JewelSnap analyzes visual indicators including light dispersion, inclusion patterns, surface luster, and cut characteristics to provide a probabilistic diamond-vs-CZ assessment. For well-lit photos this is typically reliable. For definitive diamond authentication on high-value purchases, a jeweler using a diamond tester (thermal conductivity) or refractometer remains essential. JewelSnap flags uncertain cases explicitly.

JewelSnap can sometimes flag lab-grown indicators (certain inclusion patterns, growth structure visible at high magnification), but reliably distinguishing lab-grown from mined diamonds requires specialized equipment that no smartphone app can replicate. For any diamond purchase above a few thousand dollars where mined-vs-lab status affects price significantly, request a GIA certificate from the seller.

JewelSnap cross-references identifying features of scanned jewelry against public stolen-property databases, including the Interpol Stolen Works of Art Database. This is especially relevant when buying at estate sales, online marketplaces (eBay, Facebook Marketplace), or from non-traditional sellers. A match does not constitute proof of theft — it indicates further verification is warranted before completing the transaction. No other consumer jewelry app currently offers this feature, which is why professional pawnbrokers and jewelry buyers pay third-party services hundreds of dollars per month for the same functionality.

A certified gemologist holds the jewelry in their hands, uses calibrated equipment (refractometer, polariscope, microscope, gold testers), and produces a legally-defensible valuation backed by professional liability insurance. Cost: typically $75–150 per item. JewelSnap analyzes a photograph using AI computer vision in under 30 seconds. Cost: $4.99 per week or $29.99 per year. The estimate is useful for decision-making — should I buy this thrift store ring, how should I sort this inheritance, is this pawnshop offer fair — but is explicitly not a substitute for certified appraisal in any high-stakes context. Recommendation: use JewelSnap as a first filter on every item, then take only the high-value items to a gemologist. That can turn a $4,500 inheritance appraisal bill into $200.

Yes — and era dating is one of the features JewelSnap is most differentiated on. The app classifies pieces across nine historical periods: Georgian (1714–1837), Victorian (1837–1901), Edwardian (1901–1910), Art Nouveau (1890–1910), Art Deco (1920–1935), Retro (1935–1950), Mid-Century (1950–1965), and Contemporary (1965–present). Era affects value significantly — an Art Deco diamond ring can be worth several times its raw-material value because of the design pedigree.

Three rules.

• Good lighting — natural daylight or a bright LED, never direct sunlight or harsh shadows. Avoid mixed lighting that creates color casts.
• Capture the hallmark stamp if there is one — that's the single highest-information feature in any photo. Worth a dedicated close-up.
• Three angles when possible — front, back, and macro of any markings. Macro mode on iPhone 13 Pro and later helps significantly.

Metals: yellow gold (10K through 24K), white gold, rose gold, sterling silver (.925), coin silver, fine silver, platinum (PT850, PT900, PT950), palladium, titanium, stainless steel, plus common plated combinations.

Gemstones: diamond, ruby, sapphire (blue and fancy colors), emerald, amethyst, citrine, garnet, peridot, aquamarine, topaz, opal, pearl (natural and cultured), turquoise, jade, lapis lazuli, onyx, plus synthetic and simulant stones (cubic zirconia, moissanite, lab-grown corundum).

Vintage materials: Bakelite, Lucite, celluloid, vulcanite, jet.

Over 50 countries. Major coverage:

• North America: United States, Canada, Mexico
• UK and Ireland: London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Chester, Dublin assay offices
• Western Europe: France (Paris poinçon system), Italy (Vicenza, Arezzo, Valenza), Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium
• Northern Europe: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland
• Eastern Europe: Russia (kokoshnik marks), Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece
• Middle East: Turkey, Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, UAE
• Asia: India, China, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia
• South America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico

The app is free to download and includes 3 free scans, no account required. After three scans, JewelSnap Pro is required for further use. Pro pricing: $4.99 per week with a 3-day free trial, or $29.99 per year (saves over 88% vs weekly billing). Pro unlocks unlimited scans, AI Expert follow-up chat, PDF appraisal reports, portfolio analytics, era dating, hallmark decoding, and stolen property cross-check.

JewelSnap subscriptions are managed through Apple's standard subscription system. To cancel:

1. Open the Settings app on iPhone
2. Tap your Apple ID at the top of the screen
3. Tap Subscriptions
4. Find JewelSnap in the list
5. Tap Cancel Subscription

Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period. The 3-day free trial can be cancelled at any time before it ends with no charge.

Yes — Pro subscribers can export PDF appraisal reports for any scan. The report includes the photograph, identified material, gemstones, era, market value range, confidence scores, and date of analysis. The PDF explicitly notes that JewelSnap provides AI-generated estimates and is not a substitute for certified appraisal. It functions as preliminary documentation, not a legal valuation. For insurance claims or estate division, a certified appraisal is still required — but the JewelSnap PDF can streamline that process by letting the appraiser confirm or correct the AI's findings rather than starting from scratch.

Yes. JewelSnap identifies costume jewelry as costume, including common materials (gold-plated brass, silver-plated copper, base metal, lucite). For vintage costume jewelry — Bakelite, Trifari, Coro, Hobé, Miriam Haskell, Eisenberg, Schiaparelli — the app often identifies the era and sometimes the maker. Many vintage costume pieces have meaningful collector value (a Schiaparelli surrealist piece from the 1930s can fetch thousands of dollars at auction).

Photos uploaded to JewelSnap are processed for identification and stored in your private jewelry portfolio (if you choose to save them). They are not shared with third parties or used to train external AI models without your explicit consent. Anonymous scan metadata may be used to improve the JewelSnap AI model. The full privacy policy is available at love8ko.github.io/jewelsnap/privacy-policy.html.

No — JewelSnap requires an internet connection because the AI identification model and stolen-property database run on cloud servers. Photo upload, AI processing, and verdict delivery typically complete in 15–30 seconds on a good connection. Saved scans in your portfolio can be viewed offline once they're cached on your device.

Two scenarios. If the confidence score was low (under 60%) and the app flagged the result as uncertain — that's the system working as designed. Try a better-lit photo with the hallmark visible, try a different angle, or take the piece to a jeweler. If the confidence was high but the result was wrong, please email loveykovl@gmail.com with the photo and what the actual identification turned out to be — this feedback directly improves the AI model.

Three features no competitor offers: era dating across nine historical periods (Georgian through Contemporary), hallmark decoding for over 50 countries, and Interpol-backed stolen property cross-check. Plus higher transparency on confidence scoring (every result includes a 0–100% confidence score per field) and exportable PDF appraisal reports for insurance and resale documentation.

Rating context: JewelSnap currently holds 4.7 stars from 20 ratings. Jewelry Identifier — Appraisal (Ideas All Day) holds 4.69 stars from 231 ratings; Jewelry Identifier Value (Hai Nguyen) holds 4.00 stars from 251 ratings. More review volume and comparison context at Best jewelry identifier apps of 2026.