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The rare coin market has doubled in the past decade and gold and silver prices have hit record highs in past month (despite a January 30 drop) and many people are seeking out alternative investments.

This is only amplifying an always-lucrative investment, with some rare coins that have sold for hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. Others are worth their weight in gold or silver, both of which have prices hitting repeated record highs in recent months.

In short: now is a great time to sell collectible coins of any value.

Are your coins worth money?

Are your coins worth money?

If you have any of the coins on this list or other coins worth money, always have them authenticated by a reputable coin dealer, like a member of the Professional Numismatists Guild, before trying to sell.

You can also find information about popular coins in The Red Book, A Guide Book of United States Coins 2026 79th Edition.

“You can look up in the Red Book and see if you have something that’s a good date,” says Douglas Winter, founder of Douglas Winter Numismatics and author of more than a dozen books on numismatics (the study/collection of currency). “It’s not going to really give you an accurate value, but it’ll give you an idea of what the value is relative to the most common issue of a type.”

Note that the price you’re likely to get for even the rarest coins will typically be affected by the condition of the coin. 

Others coins may be worth their melt value of silver or gold — both of which are enjoying record highs. For silver, at the end of the year, the price was up 167% YTD at $80 per ounce. Gold has also reached record highs of more than $4,500 over the past months.

Table of contents

Coins are valued on their: 

  • Rarity: Coins that were part of a limited series, that were misstamped or misprinted, or that contain errors are more likely to be worth money as a collector’s item. The rarer the coin/collection, the more valuable it’s likely to be. 
  • Grade: This is a measure of the coin’s appearance, from Poor (almost completely worn out) to Perfect Uncirculated (a coin with no wear and no flaws of any kind), according to the Professional Coin Grading Services (PCGS). 
  • Metal composition: Older coins especially often contain precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum. In addition to their potential value as collectibles, they are also worth their scrap metal value — that is, the amount of pure metal they contain. 
  • Face value: As long as the currency is still in circulation, every coin is worth at least its face value.

You can find information about thousands of popular coins in The Red Book, A Guide Book of United States Coins 2026 79th Edition.

“You can look up in the Red Book and see if you have something that’s a good date,” says Douglas Winter, founder of Douglas Winter Numismatics and author of more than a dozen books on numismatics — the study/collection of currency. “It’s not going to really give you an accurate value, but it’ll give you an idea of what the value is relative to the most common issue of a type.”

If your gold coins or silver coins are not a collector’s item you can sell them for their scrap metal value. Both gold and silver are near record prices at the moment.

Gold prices hit even more record highs in 2025, scraping $4,500, with news projecting $5,000 records as of January, 2026.1

For silver, as of end of December, 2025, silver continued to make record prices thanks to industrial demand, low supply and investors seeking safe havens as the stock market goes bananas.1 At the end of the year, the price was up 167% YTD at $80 per ounce.

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Are your coins worth money?

Learn about 15 rare coins worth money.

Pennies worth money

As the treasury recently announced plans to cease production of the beloved penny, old 1-cent U.S. coins are more valuable than ever.

The 1943 Lincoln Head Copper Penny

Front and back of the 1943 Lincoln Head Copper Penny. 15 coins worth money in 2024: Do you have one at your house?
Credit: Wikimedia Commons

In 1942 — in an effort to save copper for ammunition in World War II — the U.S. Mint began producing steel pennies for the first time in history. 

However, during the transition period between 1942 and 1943, there were a number of leftover copper planchets (the plain metal discs used to make coins) that were accidentally struck with 1943 dates. There are believed to only be about 20 of these rare coins in the world. 

If you happen to have a copper-colored penny with a 1943 date stamp, hold it up to a magnet. If it sticks, the coin you have is made of steel and holds a lower value, though steel 1943 pennies that maintain their gray color are still worth a pretty penny and have sold for as much as $218,500 at auction.

Auction record: $372,000 – Heritage Auctions*

*All auction records are from the Professional Coin Grading Services (PCGS).

1955 Double Die Penny

Front and back of the 1955 Double Die Penny. 15 coins worth money in 2024: Do you have any at your house?
Credit: Wikimedia Commons

In the coin-making process, a working hub is a metal punch that looks like the surface of the coin. These hubs are used to create metal dies, a reverse indentation of the coin design that is pressed onto a planchet to create the coin. 

In 1955, the Mint accidentally struck a working hub and a working die together when they were both slightly rotated differently from one another, leaving a double die impression.  

There are estimated to be about 15-20,000 of these pennies still in existence, though there are many counterfeits on the market. 

Auction record: $24,000 – ebay

1969-S Lincoln Cent with Double Die Obverse

Front and back of the 1969 S Double Die Lincoln penny. 15 coins worth money in 2024: Do you have any at your house?
Credit: ebay seller dz_maniacs

In 1969, two men named Roy Gray and Morton Goodman began producing fake 1969 Doubled Die Lincoln cents and other counterfeit coins.

Gray asked a collector named Robert Teitelbaum to sell the illegal coins and to place 85 of them into circulation in Washington. Instead, Teitelbaum turned them over to the Secret Service. 

While the Secret Service was trying to recover as many fakes as possible, they discovered several authentic 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse cents, which they initially believed were fake and destroyed — increasing the rarity of the already rare coins.

It is believed that less than 100 examples of the authentic 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse cents still exist, with only 40 examples ever certified. 

Auction record: $126,500 – Heritage Auctions

1972 doubled die obverse Lincoln Memorial cent

Front and back of the 1972 doubled die obverse Lincoln Memorial cent. 15 coins worth money in 2024: Do you have any at your house?
Credit: USA Coin Book

There are more than 10 doubled dies for the 1972 Lincoln cent, but Type 1 is the most valuable. 

This double die is easy to see with the naked eye, with: 

  • Doubling to the Southwest on all four digits on the date
  • LIBERTY doubled toward the South
  • IN GOD WE TRUST on the other side doubled toward the East

Auction record: $14,400 – Heritage Auctions

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Nickels worth money

1913 Liberty Head Nickel

Front and back of 1913 Liberty Head Nickel. 15 coins worth money in 2024: Do you have any at your house?
Credit: Wikimedia

The 1913 Liberty Nickel was produced by the U.S. Mint, with only five coins believed to be in existence. Today, these coins are all accounted for, and two are on display in museums.

The most elusive of these coins was owned by George Walton, the youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence. On April 25, 2013, a coin owned by Walton family heirs once believed to be fake was authenticated as the real fifth coin. 

Auction record: $4,560,000 – Stack’s Bowers

2005-D 5C Speared Bison Jefferson Nickel

Front and back of the 2005 Speared Bison Jefferson nickel. Click here to know the 15 coins worth money in 2024: Do you have any at your house?
Credit: Canva

The image of a bison initially adorned the reverse of the nickel from 1913-1938, before transitioning to the Jefferson nickel, which is still in circulation today.

In commemoration of the bicentennials of the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition, the U.S. Mint resurrected the bison design as part of the four-coin Westward Journey Nickel Series. 

In the bison series, there were several coins discovered to have a large die gouge — a raised feature that appears on a coin when a die is damaged. This particular die gouge is highly visible running through the bison’s back.

Auction record: $2,650 – ebay

Dimes worth money

Mercury dimes

Front and back of the 1916 Mercury Dime. 15 coins worth money in 2024: Do you have any at your house? Click here for more info.
Credit: Wikimedia

In 1916, a new dime design replaced the Barber design coin that had been used since 1982. Designed by sculptor A.A. Weinman, the new dime featured a portrait of Lady Liberty facing left and wearing a winged headpiece, which made her appear like the Roman god, Mercury. These dimes came to be known as  “Mercury Head” dimes.

Most Mercury dime dates can be obtained with little difficulty, though some are extremely rare in high grade. These coins are also known as “Winged Liberty Head” dimes.

These are auction records for the rarest Mercury Dime series:

1916-D: $29,900 – Stack’s

1921: $3,960 – Sotheby’s

1921-D: $23,500 – Legend Rare Coin Auctions

1926-S: $9,950 – David Lawrence RC

1942/41: $32,200 – Goldberg Auctioneers

1942/41-D: $6,900 – Heritage Auctions

1982 No Mint Mark Roosevelt Dime

Front and back of the 1982 No Mint Mark Roosevelt Dime. 15 coins worth money in 2024: Do you have any at your house?
Credit: USA Coin Book

Also called the 1982 No P Dime, these dimes were the first and only U.S. business strike coin (a coin intended for circulation) that accidentally left the U.S. Mint without being stamped with their designated mint mark.

Approximately 8,000 to 10,000 coins were reportedly found in Sandusky, Ohio, where they were handed out at Cedar Point Amusement Park as change. However, experts with PCGS believe there are potentially up to 150,000 of these coins in existence. 

Note: Mint marks are used to distinguish coins by where they were minted. The four currently operating U.S. Mints are: 

  • P: Philadelphia Mint
  • D: Denver Mint
  • S: San Francisco Mint
  • W: West Point Mint

Other mints no longer in operation are: 

  • D: Dahlonega Mint (coins from 1861 and earlier — Denver didn’t open until 1906)
  • C: Charlotte Mint 
  • O: New Orleans Mint 
  • CC: Carson City Mint 
  • M: Manila Mint

Auction record: $2,185 – Heritage Auctions

Quarters worth money

Washington quarters

Front and back of the 1932 Washington Quarter.
Credit: Wikimedia

In honor of George Washington’s 200th birthday, the U.S. government held a competition to redesign the quarter. The chosen design — proposed by New York sculptor John Flanagan — was minted on a silver alloy from 1932 to 1964, with the exception of 1933. 

After 1964, a new alloy was used that eliminated silver, which is still in circulation today. Because they were minted at the height of the Great Depression, not a lot of Uncirculated 1932 examples were initially saved, making top grade 1932 Washington quarters a rarity. 

Auction record: $40,250 – Heritage Auctions

1999-P Connecticut Broadstruck Quarter

Front and back of the 1999 Connecticut Broadstruck quarter. Read more about the 15 coins worth money in 2024: Do you have any at your house?
Credit: Wikimedia

The 1999 Connecticut Quarter is the fifth design released in the 50 States quarter collection. 

Some error coins in this collection (not just the Connecticut quarter) were either broadstruck — meaning they were struck outside of the retaining collar of the coin — or double or triple stamped. 

These coins aren’t particularly valuable and are listed from about $2 to $50 on ebay. 

Auction record: $4,362 – Superior Galleries

2004 Wisconsin State Quarter with Extra Leaf

Front and back of the 2004 Wisconsin State Quarter extra leaf. 15 coins worth money in 2024: Do you have any at your house?
Credit: USA Coin Book

2004-D Wisconsin Extra Leaf Quarters have extra husks on the left side of the corn stamped onto the coin. There are two different varieties — one with a leaf that appears lower on the corn (more common), and one with a leaf that appears higher. 

Most of these coins were discovered in bank wrapped rolls in the Tucson and San Antonio areas.

Auction record: $6,000 – Heritage Auctions

2005-P In God We Rust Kansas State Quarter

Front and back of the 2005 in God We Rust Kansas Quarter. 15 coins worth money in 2024: Do you have any at your house?
Credit: USA Coin Book

When coins are being pressed, lubricant is used on the machine to reduce friction between parts. In this case, some of that grease made its way onto the surface of the coin die, filling the spot where the first T indentation was supposed to happen. 

At a glance, these coins read “In God We Rust,” but you may be able to see a faint T on some coins if you look for it.

Though they’re a fun find, these coins aren’t that valuable — you can buy one on ebay starting at about $6. 

Other coins worth money

Morgan Silver Dollars

Front and back of the 1883 Morgan Silver Dollar. 15 coins worth money in 2024: Do you have any at your house?
Credit: Wikimedia

While the The Coinage Act of 1873 demonetized silver, putting an end to silver dollar production, the Bland-Allison Act was passed in 1878 in response to poor economic conditions at the time. This act required the U.S. government to purchase large quantities of silver and turn them into silver dollars, which were called Morgan Dollars after their designer, George T. Morgan. 

Morgan Dollars were produced from 1878-1904, then again in 1921. Some series are more valuable than others. 

These are the auction records for the rarest Morgan Silver Dollars series:

1889-CC: $462,000 – Bowers & Merena 

1893-S: $735,000 – Sotheby’s

1895 (Proof only): $150,000 – Sotheby’s

Sacagawea Cheerios dollar

Front and back of the Sacagawea Cheerios dollar. Want to learn about the 15 coins worth money in 2024: Do you have any at your house?
Credit: Wikimedia

As part of a General Mills promotion in 1999, 5,500 Sacagawea Dollars were placed inside every 2,000th box of Cheerios. 

In 2005, a collector discovered that some of these Sacagawea Cheerios Dollars had detailed veins in the eagles’ tail feathers. Only several dozen examples were actually found, but a lot more are thought to exist. 

Auction record: $10,200 – Heritage Auctions

2008-W silver eagle reverse of 2007

Front and back of the Sacagawea Cheerios dollar. Want to learn about the 15 coins worth money in 2024: Do you have any at your house?
Credit: Wikimedia

For 2008, the U.S. Mint decided to modify the reverse design of Silver Eagle coins. However, during the transition, some 2008-W Silver Eagles were accidentally stamped with the pre-2008 design. 

While the designs appear similar, the fonts and some design elements were changed. There are about 45,000 of these coins in existence.

Auction record: $1,700 – ebay

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FAQs about coins that are worth more than face value

How do I find out what my coins are worth?

PCGS offers a coin price guide where you can search for the current value of collectible coins. They also offer professional coin grading. 

You can also find information about popular coins in The Red Book, A Guide Book of United States Coins 2026 79th Edition.

“You can look up in the Red Book and see if you have something that’s a good date,” says Douglas Winter, founder of Douglas Winter Numismatics and author of more than a dozen books on numismatics (the study/collection of currency). “It’s not going to really give you an accurate value, but it’ll give you an idea of what the value is relative to the most common issue of a type.”

What are the most valuable coins in circulation?

These are some of the most valuable coins in circulation, based on PCGS record auction pricing:

  • 1969-S Lincoln Cent With a Doubled Die Obverse, $54,625
  • 2004-D Wisconsin State Quarter with an Extra Leaf, $6,000
  • 1970-S Large Date Lincoln Cent With a Doubled Die Obverse, $3,675
  • 1972 Lincoln Cent With a Doubled Die Obverse, $1,150
  • 1999 Wide “AM” Reverse Lincoln Cent, $250

How much does it cost to get coins appraised?

Online appraisals for valuation and selling purposes are available for free, including by auction houses that will list your item. Fair market valuation of personal property is typically determined through these assessments as a starting point. For official written appraisals for insurance and estate planning, expect to pay $75 to $150+ per hour.  

Bottom line: How to sell your coins for the most money

If you want to sell your collectible coins for the most money, Winter recommends finding a large national dealer or a reputable local dealer who is a member of the Professional Numismatic Guild. 

“There’s those pawn shops or local cash-for-gold buyers — that’s not a good place to sell your coins,” Winter says. “You’re likely to be offered a small fraction of what they’re worth.” 

If your gold coins or silver coins are not a collector’s item you can sell them for their scrap metal value. Both gold and silver are near record prices at the moment:

November 12, 2026, silver futures closed at $50.07, compared with $30 at the beginning of 2025.

We recommend selling to CashforGoldUSA or its sister site CashforSilverUSA, which accept items like gold, silver, and diamonds in any form, including gold scrap, gold jewelry including chains, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, silver jewelry, gold bullion, and dental gold.

CashforGoldUSA is our top choice for selling coins for scrap because: 

  • A+ BBB rating
  • Payouts within 24 hours
  • Buys all weights and quality of gold and silver
  • Price- match guarantee
  • Free return guarantee
  • 100% customer satisfaction guarantee
  • Free shipments insured up to $150,000
  • 10% bonus if you send in your item within 7 days

Read our CashforGoldUSA review, or get money for your coins today with CashforGoldUSA >>

SOURCES:

  1. “Gold prices will take their cues from oil this week following Venezuela attacks, initial resistance at $4,474/oz,” by Ernest Hoffman, Kitco News
  2. “Reason For A 2026 Gold And Silver Surge That’s Predicted To Blow Up The Bitcoin Price,” by Billy Bambrough, Forbes.
How do I find out what my coins are worth?

Professional Coin Grading Service offers a coin price guide where you can search for the current value of collectible coins. They also offer professional coin grading.

What are the most valuable coins in circulation?

These are some of the most valuable coins in circulation, based on Professional Coin Grading Service record auction pricing:
– 1969-S Lincoln Cent With a Doubled Die Obverse, $54,625
– 2004-D Wisconsin State Quarter with an Extra Leaf, $6,000
– 1970-S Large Date Lincoln Cent With a Doubled Die Obverse, $3,675
– 1972 Lincoln Cent With a Doubled Die Obverse, $1,150
– 1999 Wide “AM” Reverse Lincoln Cent, $250

Care.com connects clients and providers of childcare, senior care, pet care, housekeeping, and other professional services. 

Whether you’re a family looking to hire someone or you are looking for jobs as a housekeeper, nanny, or pet sitter, Care.com is a legit and trustworthy site — if you know how to safely use it. 

We like Care.com for these reasons: 

  • Easy to create a profile, post jobs, pay providers
  • Requires caregivers to pass a background check every year
  • Provider/employer match made every 9 minutes (as of Oct. 2022)
  • Reviews/references provided to help you screen providers

Here’s everything you need to know about using Care.com this year:  

Is Care.com legit?
Care.com services
How Care.com works
Care.com reviews
Care.com pros and cons
Care.com alternatives
FAQs from families and from caregivers

What is Care.com?

Care.com is a membership site that connects people who need:

People seeking a service — as well as corporate care providers like daycare centers or nursing homes — can post jobs on the site. 

Providers can apply to jobs and communicate with potential employers. Employers are also able to pay care providers directly through Care.com.

Is Care.com a trustworthy site?

Yes! Care.com is a legit site that has helped millions of people find safe and reliable care providers online. A representative for Care.com says that a provider/employer match is made every 9 minutes on the site (as of October 2022).

Care.com has 3.44/5 stars based on 8,169 reviews on review site Sitejabber.

Anyone who registers on Care.com as a caregiver must be over the age of 18 and undergo a detailed background check called a CareCheck. This includes:

  • Social Security number trace
  • Multi-jurisdictional criminal database search
  • Federal and county criminal records search

Caregivers are not approved to create a profile unless their CareCheck comes back clean. Each user’s CareCheck is repeated annually. As a user, only your first name and last initial, as well as the area (city/zip code) where you live, will be displayed. 

Care.com does not employ caregivers and is not responsible for their conduct. Site users are responsible for doing their own additional research to ensure that a job or caregiver is legitimate. 

However, Care.com does provide resources and tips to help families hire safely and to help caregivers vet potential employers. 

Care.com has a B rating from the Better Business Bureau and 1.1 stars on Trustpilot, though most negative reviews are related to the site’s billing and fees rather than the quality of caregivers. The majority of complaints are from employers seeking to find a caregiver. 

Care.com was in the news in 2020. A lawsuit alleged that Care.com falsely represented its CareCheck by claiming the check included a search of the National Sex Offender Registry, when it actually does not. 

The suit also alleged that Care.com unlawfully enrolled its customers in auto-renewal subscriptions without getting customers’ consent. Care.com paid $1 million to settle the lawsuit. 

The site is no longer allowed to claim National Sex Offender Registry checks and must notify customers that they can cancel their subscriptions before it automatically renews.

Like any marketplace website, Care.com could potentially connect you with dangerous people. However, the site does have measures in place that are intended to protect users, such as: 

  • CareCheck background check
  • Suite of supplemental background checks
  • Community guidelines

Employ common sense as you search for a provider or job and do extra research, check references, and interview them in person before you hire someone to take care of your home or loved one.

Care.com services

Care.com offers the following services:

  • Childcare
    • Daycare
    • Part-time childcare
    • Preschools
    • After-school transportation
    • Child hospice care
    • In-home hospice care
    • 24-hour childcare
    • Before school or after-school programs
  • Tutoring
    • Homeschool
    • English
    • Math
    • Online
    • Special needs
    • Test prep
    • Science
  • Senior care
    • Post-surgery care
    • Food delivery
    • Special needs adult care
    • Assisted living
    • Home care
    • Respite care
    • Memory care
    • Hospice care
    • Companion care
    • Palliative care
    • Nursing assistants
    • Dementia care
    • Adult daycare
    • Home aids
    • Senior apartments
    • Senior helper
    • Independent living
    • Transportation
  • Pet care
    • Dog walkers
    • Pet sitters
    • Dog boarding
    • Pet care
  • Housekeeping
    • Housekeeping
    • House cleaning
    • Maid jobs
    • Errand runners
    • Move out cleaning services

How Care.com works

This is how Care.com works for families/businesses looking to hire and for providers looking to get hired: 

For families

New users who are looking for a caregiver are prompted to select what type of care they need and how soon they need it. You’ll provide more information about your children or pets (such as how many you have and their ages) and what you’re looking for in a caregiver. Enter your ZIP code, add your name and email address, and you’re in. 

You can join Care.com for free. A free account allows you to:

  • Search for caregivers near you (you can’t send messages without a premium membership)
  • Post a job and see who applies

The optional Premium Family Membership costs $38.99 per month if not on sale. A Premium account will let you:

  • Message any caregiver
  • Book a sitter when you need one
  • Get background check options
  • Pay your sitter online
  • Chat with support

Once you’ve signed up, you can scroll through profiles of caregivers near you. These profiles will provide information such as the caregiver’s:

  • Availability
  • Bio
  • Services
  • Qualifications
  • Recommendations from previous Care.com employers 

You can also create a job posting so caregivers can apply.

For caregivers: Care.com background check 

If you’re interested in becoming a caregiver, you’ll follow a similar series of steps to create your account. Select the type of service you’d like to provide. Then add your ZIP code and how far you’re willing to travel. Build out your profile with information like your availability and pay rate. The final step is answering required safety questions.

Care.com runs a background check on all caregivers before they’re allowed to join the platform. This CareCheck includes:

  • Social Security number trace
  • Multi-jurisdictional criminal database search
  • Federal and county criminal records search

You will have to pay a fee of $18.99 per year (the CareCheck renews annually) to complete this background check if you don’t have a premium membership. Once you’ve registered, you can browse job postings and apply to any that interest you. Potential employers in your geographical area will also be able to find you via your profile.

Check out these job training posts for different types of caregivers:

Care.com reviews

Care.com is not accredited with the Better Business Bureau but has a B rating. 743 complaints have been closed in the last three years, and out of 419 customer reviews, the average rating is 1.03 out of 5 stars. 

On Trustpilot, Care.com is a verified company but has only 1.1 out of 5 stars based on 2,279 reviews. 

While ratings on both sites aren’t great, most negative reviews are related to billing, disputed extra fees, and auto-renewal complaints rather than poor caregiver experiences. 

It is actually very easy to cancel a premium subscription on Care.com. The site provides these instructions:

  1. Log in to your Care.com account.
  2. From the Me drop-down menu at the top of the page and click My Premium.
  3. Click Manage membership to expand your subscription details.
  4. Click Cancel subscription.
  5. Click Continue to cancel.
  6. Continue through the cancellation survey, and click Confirm cancellation.

If you purchased a Premium Membership on the iOS app, you must cancel on your iOS device using these steps:

  1. Open the App Store app on your phone or tablet and tap your profile icon in the upper right corner.
  2. Tap Subscriptions.
  3. Tap the Care.com subscription.
  4. Tap Cancel Subscription.
  5. Confirm cancellation.

Care.com pros and cons

Care.com pros:

  • Caregivers undergo background check
  • Site is easy and intuitive to search
  • Free membership is available
  • Additional resources on rates, hiring, etc.

Care.com cons:

  • Free membership is very limited
  • Paid membership is automatically renewed
  • Site receives poor online reviews

Care.com alternatives

If Care.com isn’t a good fit for you, there are plenty of other places where you can find a babysitter or find a nanny:

  • Babysits — enter your ZIP code to browse sitters in your area for free
  • BambinoSitters — uses your Facebook account to suggest sitters your friends have used and recommend
  • SeekingSitters — on-demand babysitter referral service matches you with a sitter in your area
  • SitterCity — post a job and search for sitters near you
  • UrbanSitter — post a job and search for sitters near you
  • Craiglist — view area-specific ads for nannies

You can also find a babysitter or caregiver by simply asking your friends and family for recommendations; posting in a local social media group; or asking your child’s pediatrician for a referral.

Families’ FAQs about Care.com

Can you get scammed on Care.com?

Like any online marketplace, yes, it is possible to get scammed on Care.com. If you’re interested in hiring someone on Care.com, do your own research on the candidate. 

Use common sense — don’t give out your personal information right away, and have your first meeting in a public place. The same advice goes for caregivers who are interested in a job. Care.com also has safety measures in place for you to report profiles if needed. 

How does Care.com payroll work?

If you pay a caregiver over $100 per week, you might owe taxes. Care.com offers a HomePay option that handles things like direct deposits, payslips, W-2s, and tax filing.

Is there a free version of Care.com?

Yes. If you’re interested in hiring a caregiver, you can use Care.com to browse profiles for free. However, you won’t be able to reply to applications to schedule interviews unless you go premium — the most you can do with a basic membership is send an automated “no, thank you” message.

A basic membership allows you to:

  • Set up an account
  • Post a job
  • Search and view profiles of local caregivers
  • View profiles of every caregiver who applies to your job
  • Use site tools and resources

All caregivers must pay an annual fee for their background check.

Can I get a refund from Care.com?

No. Care.com does not offer refunds on its Premium Membership, background check, or other paid services.

Caregivers’ FAQs about Care.com

What are Care.com’s requirements for caregivers?

Caregivers must be at least 18; be able to legally work in the U.S.; provide certain required information; and pass a background check. Required information for membership with Care.com includes:

  • Date of birth
  • Full legal name
  • Complete permanent address
  • Phone number
  • Email address

Care.com’s background check includes:

  • Social Security Number trace
  • National Sex Offender Public Website search
  • Multi-jurisdictional criminal database search
  • Federal and county criminal records search

What kinds of jobs are on Care.com?

You can use Care.com to find contract or part-time jobs for:

  • Childcare
  • Tutoring
  • Senior care
  • Pet care
  • Housekeeping

The site also has a section for full-time jobs, although these are less common.

TrustedHouseSitters reviews: Who’s the house-sitting service good for?

How does payment work on Care.com?

Care.com uses the Stripe platform to process payments. Caregivers can accept payments directly through their Care.com profile and transfer the funds to their personal bank account. 

Once an employer has submitted payment, the money will be deposited into the caregiver’s account within 1-3 business days. Caregivers can edit their payment preferences to indicate the payment types they are willing to accept. 

How do you get hired on Care.com?

To get hired on Care.com, you’ll need to create a profile, complete the mandatory background check, and apply to job postings that fit your skills and experience.

Should I give my SSN to Care.com?

If you want to register as a caregiver on Care.com, you will need to provide your Social Security number as part of the site’s mandatory background check. Care.com promises to store your information using secure encryption. According to the site, your SSN is only shared with Care.com’s background check vendor.

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Cons of equal shared parenting

Does shared parenting work? Research finds equal shared parenting is best for kids

When is equally shared parenting not a good idea?

How to get equally shared parenting time

My personal story of equally shared parenting

Bottom line: Why equal shared parenting is important

What is equally shared parenting?

Equally shared parenting is an arrangement that ensures both parents have equal time with their children. Parents also agree to share the responsibility of decision-making for their children.

Shared parenting can be called many things:

  • Equally shared parenting
  • Equal shared parenting
  • Equal care time
  • 50/50 parenting schedule
  • Joint physical custody
  • Shared residential custody
  • Shared physical custody
  • Equal legal custody

It is possible to have equal parenting while parallel parenting.

Do kids need both parents equally?

Dr. Linda Nielsen, Wake Forest University professor, reviewed 60 studies and found that equally shared parenting is best for children in separated and divorced families. Kids who share time between both parents’ homes approximately equally have better outcomes related to:

  • Academic achievement
  • Drug, alcohol and cigarette use
  • Mental and physical health
  • Less early sexual activity and teen pregnancy
  • Higher employment and earnings later in life
  • Greater likelihood of family stability in their own adulthoods
  • Better relationships with parents, step-parents and grandparents.

These outcomes were true even in cases where there is high conflict between the parents, or one is richer than the other.

Why are the outcomes so dramatically better for kids with equal parenting time, when compared with minimum time with the non-custodial parent (dad)?

  • When parenting time is presumed equal, dads are less likely to feel marginalized and drop out of kids’ lives.
  • Boys and girls both benefit from bonding and time with their dads.
  • When kids don’t see their dad, that creates a sense of abandonment and general anxiety.
  • Parents who share parenting time have less to fight over, and there is less conflict between parents — which benefits everyone.
  • Dads who are more involved are more likely to pay child support and/or contribute financially.
  • Kids who have relationships with both parents benefit from an extended network of family, grandparents, friends and neighbors.

Benefits to women, men and gender equality when parenting time is shared equally

  • My survey of nearly 2,300 single moms found a direct correlation between equality in time-sharing and single mothers’ income and wellbeing. Also: The majority of single moms are in favor of equal shared parenting.

WHITE PAPER PDF

  • Less bickering over percentage times, and defaulting to equal time-sharing, means less time, energy and money spent on lawyers and court filings.
  • When parents share parenting time, moms are freer to build careers and earn more — which benefits children, mothers, gender equality and co-parenting relationships.
  • Divorced men who are legally separated from their children are more likely to suffer depression and attempt suicide.
  • Divorced dads statistically are eight-times more likely to commit suicide than divorced women, and this is especially so for men who have been legally removed or marginalized in their kids’ lives.
  • When parenting time is split equally, parenting means both parents now have equal rights and equal responsibility for child-rearing — exactly what gender equality activists dream of!

Pros of equal shared parenting

As outlined below, there are zillions of ways that women benefit when we equally share parenting time with our kids’ fathers. If you are wondering what the benefits of equally shared parenting are, here’s a list of 9 benefits:

Benefit 1: Stems gender inequality

When we equalize parenting time, we equalize the genders. Today, when the vast majority of parents separate, courts dictate that kids stay with the mom, dads get visits with their own children, dads pay child support.

This just reinforces dated, sexist gender norms: Moms are the default caregivers financially dependent on men, dads are the default breadwinner for whom parenting is optional.

Split parenting time in half, with both parents equally responsible for the time, logistics and mental load of parenting, and gender inequality will be stemmed.

Benefit 2: Decreases fatherlessness

Bring up equally shared time in a room of single parents, and dads scream their rights as parents have been violated, while mothers scream that dads don’t show up and do their share.

Both are equally correct.

We cannot expect men to be active, engaged fathers when they have been told since birth that they are the lesser parent, that they should defer to the mothers, and that once they no longer live in the same home as their children, they are relegated to a visitor and a paycheck.

Similarly, we cannot expect women to be financially independent if courts and cultural norms dictate we be primary caretakers.

Surveys find that men do want to be involved fathers. Let’s create a world where they can be.

Benefit 3: Increases financial support for kids

A study published in a 2015 issues of  Journal of Marriage and Family, finds that about half of fathers who were cash-poor and unable to make child support payments, nevertheless make a significant contribution in kind—providing baby products, clothing, school expenses and food—worth an average of $60 a month.

Fathers who did not visit their kids gave only about half as much in-kind support as those who spent at least 10 hours a month with them.

“The child support system weakens the child/father bond by separating the act of love from the act of providing,” said the study author Kathryn Edin, a sociologist and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Distinguished Professor.

Plus, when each parent has the kids equal time, that means that each parent has to pick up expenses like food, replacing outgrown clothes, random school fees and birthday gifts.

Benefit 4: Decreases domestic violence

Family law practitioners and mental health professionals have long noted the increase in high conflict and violent incidences spike at the time of separation and divorce, including false reports designed to gain an upper hand in custody disputes.

Take the inherent dispute out of separating, and domestic violence cases drop.

That is what is happening in Kentucky, which in 2017 became the first state in the country with a presumption of equally shared parenting time. A year later, family court filings had dropped by 11 percent, and domestic violence reports were down 4 percent.

Benefit 5: Moms have more time to build a business/career

My co-parenting relationship has improved gradually in my 10-year career as a single mom, and today we have approximately equal time sharing.

I am here to tell you: It is a hell of a lot easier to travel to conferences, go to evening work events, take on the extra project or start a second income stream if you do not have to juggle those professional tasks with parenting.

28 jobs for single moms: Best high-paying jobs

Benefit 6: Moms have more time to date

Guaranteed free time, including overnights, means moms have more time to be women — without the burden of paying for child care.

Take the guilt and stress of time away from kids, and arranging a sitter, now mothers can date in a healthier way, and not resort to sneaking out, or sneaking men in (pro tip: please don’t do that).

Many single moms report that dating as a single mom is the most fun, and the best sex, they’ve ever had.

Benefit 7: Moms have more time to exercise

Hate to break it to you: The more free time you have, the fewer excuses!

Benefit 8: Kids enjoy more love

Aside from all proven benefits of bonding with both their mother and father, children who enjoy the broader circles of extended family, friends and community: grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, neighbors — all support and care that benefits all children — and adults!

This new network of caregiving opens up all kinds of benefits, including more flexible schedules for the parents (more access to loving and free childcare — thanks grandma!), as well as one-on-one time with each parent — something any single mom or single dad can tell you is hard to come by.

Benefit 9: Both parents have time to rest and recharge

Half my social media feed is crowded by selfies from moms who have sequestered themselves in a pantry and are 911-ing for an emergency wine delivery to relieve them from the overwhelm of full-time parenting.

Give her a break. Give the dad a break. Share the kids. Use your newfound free time to go on a hike. Binge Fleabag. Hook up with your cute neighbor. Take a spin class. Or go out for a glass of wine at a bar with your girlfriend like a grown-ass woman.

Mothers argue that their nursing babies should not be apart from them overnight, even though those babies were toddlers — a position my divorce lawyer friend says a judge would laugh at, especially if an enthusiastic father was pushing for more access to his kids. She’s seen judges order babies as young as 3 months stay overnight with their fathers.

Check out this podcast interview I did on equally shared parenting:

Cons of equal shared parenting

You may consider some of these points as negatives of equally shared parenting time:

  • One parent who prefers to have the kids most of the time may now miss them.
  • A parent who prefers to be an every-other weekend parent may resent equal parenting responsibilities, and the sacrifices they must make to care for the kids.
  • Depending on where you live, equal parenting time may mean you are not entitled to child support, or less child support, or no alimony. Or, you may find yourself paying child support when you would not have had the children the majority of the time.

Does shared parenting work? Research finds equal shared parenting is best for kids

Wake Forest professor and shared parenting expert Linda Nielsen crunched the data of 60 studies and found that absent situations in which children needed protection from an abusive or negligent parent even before their parents separated—children in shared-parenting families had better outcomes than children in sole physical custody families.

This includes high-conflict divorces in which the fighting continues long-term. The measures of well-being included:

  • Diminished sense of physical and emotional security (children consistently report feeling abandoned when their fathers are not involved in their lives)
  • Behavioral and social problems, including with friendships
  • Poor academic performance. 71% of high school dropouts are fatherless
  • High crime, as 85% of youth in prison have an absent father
  • Fatherless children are more likely to have sex before age 16, not use contraception during first intercourse, and become teenage parents, and transmit STDs.
  • More likely to use and abuse alcohol and other drugs.
  • 90% of runaway kids have an absent father.
  • Mental health disorders (father absent children are consistently overrepresented on a wide range of mental health problems, particularly anxiety, depression and suicide)
  • As adults, fatherless children are more likely to experience unemployment, have low incomes, remain on social assistance, and experience homelessness)
  • Poor future relationships (father absent children tend to enter partnerships earlier, are more likely to divorce or dissolve their cohabiting unions, and are more likely to have children outside marriage or outside any partnership)
  • Higher mortality rates (fatherless children are more likely to die as children, and live an average of four years less over the lifespan)

When is equally shared parenting not a good idea?

Shared parenting may not be a fit for families where one parent struggles with addiction, there is a history of violence or abuse, or severe mental illness. However, many of these families can successfully parent equally after a period of healing.

From an article in Psychology, Public Policy and Law:

“The best research currently available suggests that the quality of the parent-child relationship is more closely linked than parental conflict or the quality of the co-parenting relationship to children’s outcomes, with the exception of the most extreme forms of conflict to which some children are exposed.”

How to get equally shared parenting time

There is no single formula that guarantees joint physical custody. However, I have seen the following be helpful in establishing equal shared parenting:

  1. Focus on a goal of a low-conflict, amicable, and equal process
  2. Start custody negotiations at 50/50
  3. Hire the right family / custody attorney with a track record of winning fair and equal divorce settlements
  4. Do not try to negotiate lower child support in exchange for more parenting time
  5. Never miss a visit (within reason!)
  6. Play fair: Never interfere with the other parent’s time with the kids
  7. Keep records of your visitation adherence — as well as that of your co-parent

One of the first co-parenting apps, and widely used app, OurFamilyWizard, which features chat, information storage (like pediatrician and teacher contact info, prescriptions, etc.), and financial record-keeping. 30-day free trial,  discounts for military families, and a program to provide OurFamilyWizard free to low-income families. Each parent can add unlimited numbers of other people for free, including children, grandparents, step and bonus parents, as well as attorneys.

Read our review of OurFamilyWizard.

My personal story of equally shared parenting

After one meeting with my ex and our lawyers to negotiate the custody agreement of our divorce, I went home, busted out the calculator, and cried.

I freaked out at the idea of being away from my kids for extended hours or days, and I need to know how many hours each week I would spend with my son and daughter under various arrangements.

How many hours would they be sleeping, in daycare and with their dad?

How many minutes each week would they be mine? When we separated, I was pregnant and my daughter was not quite 2.

I subscribed to many tenets of attachment parenting.

I bought into the cultural message that children should be with their mother, and,

A woman’s identity is tied to her motherhood.

My identity was tied to being a mom.

Plus, I was used to being with my tiny children the vast majority of the time, running errands with one or the other strapped to my chest, their tiny bodies cozied up to mine in bed, the little one would nurse at least a year like his sister.

Anything less than that seemed devastating. They needed me so, so much, I thought. And I needed them.

Fast-forward and there were years my ex would say he’s skipping a visit for reasons well within his control (a party, volunteer work, a last-minute weekend trip to California), and I would lose my goddamned mind. I’d get crazy-angry at his cavalier approach to parenting and how that affects the kids. I’d steam and stew at how much he took me for granted, and had the freedom to do what he pleased without worry about child care.

Considering 50/50 custody schedules? How to choose the best for you

I also resent that I don’t get my scheduled kid-free time. Those hours are a precious commodity I fully utilize to nurture friendships, date, work, exercise and relax. When the kids come home Sunday evening from their weekly overnight, we are all so happy to see each other and I can feel in my whole body how much more energy I have for them.

Never in a bazillion years would I have imagined I’d feel like that.

Fast-forward, and today, after a long campaign, my kids share equal parenting time with their dad and me, alternating weeks, holidays and vacation time at each parent’s home.

Today, I am committed to equal shared parenting as a presumption for separated and divorced families. Research finds this is what is best for children, women and men — as well as what is critical for gender equality.

Bottom line: Why equal shared parenting is important

Shared parenting provides an opportunity for children to build a relationship with both parents, even when they don’t live under the same roof. 

Dozens of studies on solo vs. shared parenting have found that children in shared parenting relationships had better outcomes in terms of:

  • Behavior
  • Emotional stability
  • Physical health
  • Academic well-being
  • Building relationships with extended family

These outcomes were seen regardless of income or conflict between parents.

For ways to build a beneficial shared parenting relationship, refer to the following resources:

Must-see documentaries on equally shared parenting:

Divorce Corp and Erasing Family

Books on the benefits of equally shared parenting:

Kickass Single Mom, Be Financially Independent, Discover Your Sexiest Self, and Raise Fabulous, Happy Children, By Emma Johnson

Improving Father-Daughter Relationships: A Guide for Women and Their Dads, By Linda Nielsen

Blend, The Secret to Co-Parenting and Creating a Balanced Family, By: Mashonda Tifrere

Co-parenting with a Toxic Ex: What to Do When Your Ex-Spouse Tries to Turn the Kids Against You, By Amy J. L. Baker, PhD and Paul R Fine, LCSW

Divorce Poison: How to Protect Your Family from Bad-mouthing and Brainwashing, By Dr. Richard A. Warshak

What is equally shared parenting?

Equally shared parenting is an arrangement that ensures both parents have equal time with their children. Parents also agree to share the responsibility of decision-making for their children.

Does shared parenting work?

From an article in Psychology, Public Policy and Law, the best research currently available suggests that the quality of the parent-child relationship is more closely linked than parental conflict or the quality of the co-parenting relationship to children’s outcomes, with the exception of the most extreme forms of conflict to which some children are exposed.

Hinge has always been one of my favorite dating apps, and for good reason. It’s one of the few dating apps out there that (in my opinion) really wants to help you find love. The best part? You don’t have to pay for a membership to successfully find a partner on Hinge.

When I was actively dating, this was the dating app I always went back to. And after reviewing more than a dozen dating sites and apps for Wealthysinglemommy.com, Hinge is my favorite. A big reason why: It worked — Hinge is actually where I met my boyfriend.

Keep reading for my comprehensive Hinge review and start looking for a serious partner on Hinge for free >>

What is Hinge?

Is Hinge just a hookup app?

How does Hinge work?

Is Hinge a safe dating site?

Does Hinge have fake profiles?

How much does Hinge cost?

Is Hinge worth paying for?

Hinge reviews

Which is better, eharmony, Bumble or Hinge?

Hinge alternatives

What is Hinge?

Hinge is a dating app dedicated to helping singles find long-term relationships. It was founded in 2012 by CEO and cofounder Justin McLeod, quickly branding itself as the “relationship app” in response to Tinder’s reputation as a “hookup app.” 

When it was first launched, Hinge matched people who were friends of friends. You’d sign up with your Facebook credentials and see profiles who shared mutual friends with you. In 2016, the app was relaunched with a new look and a bigger focus on helping singles find love. 

Hinge is owned by Match Group, Inc., whose other dating services include Tinder, Match.com, OkCupid, Plenty of Fish, Ship, and OurTime.

Is Hinge just a hookup app?

No — Hinge is not just a hookup app, which is why their slogan is “Designed to be deleted.” The minute you open the app, you’ll notice that it has an entirely different feel from other dating apps. 

The app relies on a Nobel-prize-winning algorithm called the Gale-Shapely algorithm to pair you with the right people. Basically, it takes your interests and matches you with people who mutually like one another. The more you use the app, the more compatible your matches. 

Hinge encourages users to let their personalities shine by answering thought-provoking prompts, a big difference from other apps where photos are the primary focus.

Example prompts on Hinge review.

According to Hinge, as of 2021, 30 million people had gone on a date with someone they met through Hinge. Most notably, U.S. presidential candidate Peter Buttigieg met his husband on Hinge. And here’s another fun fact: Hinge is the most mentioned dating app in the New York Times Weddings section, according to Bustle.com. 

How does Hinge work?

You can sign up using your phone number or Apple or Facebook credentials. You can also verify your identity through a video selfie. When I signed up, Hinge verified my phone number, then asked me to share information about myself and my desired partner, including:

  • Name
  • Date of birth
  • Sexual orientation
  • Who I’m interested in dating
  • Location
  • Education
  • Job title
  • Lifestyle factors (such as whether I smoke or drink)
  • Whether or not I want kids
Bianca's profile on Hinge review.

Some of these answers can be hidden from your profile if you don’t want them to show. 

Hinge asks you to choose six photos and fill out three prompts, such as what your greatest strength may be, or what your typical Sunday looks like. These prompts act as your bio and are designed to help you express your interests and personality. Plus, they act as great conversation starters as you start matching with other singles.

Hinge uses all of the information you inputted to show you compatible matches. Instead of swiping right or left to interact with other members, you can “like” or comment on individual photos or prompts. If the person likes you back, you’ll get a notification and you can begin to message back and forth — you can do all of this for free, unlike most other dating apps. 

You can see everybody who’s liked you in the “Likes you” section of the app. You can skip any profile you’re not interested in, or you can “like” the person back and continue the conversation. 

A few days later, Hinge will ask you if you had a chance to meet your match and whether or not you’ll go on another date with them. By providing that information, you help Hinge better understand who you’re looking to date, and the app will tailor your future matches based on your previous successes/failures.

Hinge also has these other paid features:

Standouts

Hinge’s Standouts page highlighting different profiles that are getting the most attention on Hinge. 

Roses

Like on The Bachelor, you can send a rose to other members to show them you’re super into them (starting at $9.99 for 3 roses). A rose is Hinge’s version of Tinder’s super-like.

Roses feature on Hinge review.

Boosts

Like other dating apps, Hinge allows you to boost your profile for one hour, during which your profile will be shown to more people. When someone matches you as a result of that boost, a lightning bolt will appear next to their name.

Boosts feature on Hinge review.

Is Hinge a safe dating site?

Hinge has recently been in a lot of hot water for how they manage data. According to a 2020  Vice article, the app has been accused of sharing users’ personal information with other dating sites and third parties, and for not deleting users’ data if they choose to stop using it. 

While Hinge has not directly responded to these claims, they do have a page on their site devoted to keeping your account safe. Some of their tips are pretty obvious, like not sharing any super personal or financial information about yourself, reporting any suspicious-looking accounts, and being wary of any people looking for long-distance relationships.

Does Hinge have fake profiles?

Fake profiles are always an issue with dating apps, so yes, it’s possible that Hinge may have some fake ones. 

A recent NYTimes article featured Hinge at the center of crypto scams. Scammers would target  Hinge users, developing an online relationship and encouraging them to invest their money in crypto. 

Remember that this type of scam can happen in any dating app. Do not share any financial information with someone you meet online, and be cautious about anyone who wants to pursue a long-distance relationship or who acts suspiciously (i.e., doesn’t want to meet IRL or on Facetime).

How much does Hinge cost?

Hinge is free to use, but they offer two memberships: Hinge+ and HingeX.

Hinge+ costs:

  • 1 week – $14.99
  • 1 month – $32.99
  • 3 months – $64.99
  • 6 months – $99.99

HingeX costs:

  • 1 week – $24.99
  • 1 month – $49.99
  • 3 months – $99.99
  • 6 months – $149.99

What’s included for free on Hinge:

  • Eight likes per day (this does not include liking back people who already liked you)
  • Limited filters and preferences you can use to search matches
  • Unlimited messaging

What’s included in the Hinge+ membership

  • Send unlimited likes
  • Sort through your likes easily
  • Option to use additional filters (such as height, education, politics, etc.) for searching
  • See all of your likes at once
  • Fine tune preferences

What’s included in the HingeX membership:

  • Everything from Hinge+
  • Enhanced recommendations
  • Skip the line (priority placement in Hinge recommendations)
  • Priority likes (your likes stay near the top of the list of people you are interested in)

Extra features to purchase:

  • Boosts – Helps your profile stand out for one hour ($9.99 per boost, $8.99 each for three boosts, $7.99 each for five boosts, and $19.99 superboost for 24 hours.
  • Roses – a feature to make your likes stand out more to other members ($3.33 each for 3 roses, $2.49 each for 12 roses, and $1.49 each for 50 roses)

Is Hinge worth paying for?

Unless you’re super picky and want to utilize additional filters to weed out matches, I don’t think it’s worth paying for Hinge. You can use most of the app for free.

Pros

Hinge’s algorithm is designed to match compatible people — and seems to work. 

The more you fill out your profile, the greater your chances of being shown people who share your interests and match your dating criteria.

Prompts encourage conversation.

Hinge allows your personality to shine through in a way that other dating apps don’t. Plus, those prompts can help you move past awkward introductions and one-liners.

You can use most of the app for free.

Compared to other dating apps and websites, Hinge offers many free features for its users, including messaging. Is paying just to apply some extra filters really worth it? 

Cons

Some users complain about randomly getting banned from the site.

I’ve read multiple reviews on the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot about paid users getting banned from Hinge out of nowhere, then not being able to contact customer service. It’s all very sus to me.

Hinge Trustpilot Review From February 2025
Hinge Trustpilot Review From February 2025

Hinge has a smaller dating pool.

Hinge is not as big as dating apps like Tinder or Bumble, so its dating pool is smaller, especially in less populated areas. But Hinge is very much tailored for those looking for long-term relationships, so think quality over quantity here.

Hinge reviews

Like many other dating apps, Hinge reviews are mixed. While people praise Hinge for being the best dating app for singles, the most critical complaints are the app’s technical issues and customer service.

App stores

Hinge has a 4.4 out of 5-star rating from Apple’s app store. One 5-star review called Hinge “the best choice for singles,” praising its use of prompts.

One critical reviewer gave Hinge two stars because of its price increase and buggy user experience.

On Google Play, Hinge has 4.5 out of 5 stars. Lots of users left 1-star reviews because they were frustrated with the app’s poor user experience and claimed there were a lot of fake profiles.

BBB

Hinge has a B rating by the Better Business Bureau with a customer rating of 1.09 out of 5 stars. Most reviews are from frustrated users who got banned from using Hinge for no apparent reason. This seems to be a big problem with Hinge — the same issue is also mentioned in Trustpilot reviews (where Hinge currently has a 1.1 out of 5-star rating).

Bianca’s experience with Hinge 

Hinge was always the dating app I went back to when other apps were frustrating me, and reviewing it now, I still stand by it being my favorite dating app. While I encountered some fuckboys here and there, most of my dates were positive, with nice guys who genuinely wanted long-term, serious relationships. All of my searching on Hinge paid off because it led me to my boyfriend.

He’s the kind of guy who doesn’t play games and does what he says. When we started dating, he always followed through with texts and plans. He was always respectful towards me, taking the time and effort to really get to know me. Plus, at the time, he too was being very careful about his health (we were in a pandemic, after all), which would’ve been an absolute deal breaker if he wasn’t.

However, while I do think Hinge is one of the best dating apps out there, I’m not sure if I believe in Hinge’s algorithm (I think most dating app algorithms are pure marketing tactics). In fact, I remember not having a good date with someone Hinge chose as one of my most compatible matches. 

Like with any dating app, you need to put in some work: get creative with your prompts (be as specific as you can when filling them out and avoid generic statements such as I love food, wine, and travel), choose good photos, and have engaging conversations. 

Check out these guides for how to create an engaging profile: 

Which is better, eharmony, Bumble or Hinge?

Hinge is the right hybrid between Bumble and eharmony. It has a seamless app experience but is dedicated to singles finding real love. I will say that Bumble, eharmony, and Hinge are among the best dating apps and websites out there, though eharmony comes out on top in its ability to vet user profiles. 

eharmony requires users to prove their identity through the site’s user verification tools, and the site is constantly monitoring for suspicious-looking profiles (including checking to make sure users aren’t married). eharmony then curates potential matches for members using a detailed compatibility quiz, which prevents you from having to scroll through endless, unviable options.

As mentioned, Hinge doesn’t have an extensive verification process, nor does Bumble.

Ratings

eharmony is one of very few dating websites accredited by the Better Business Bureau — it also boasts an A rating, while Bumble’s BBB rating is an F and is not accredited. Hinge’s parent company Match Group currently is not accredited or rated by the BBB. On Trustpilot, eharmony has a 2.8 rating, Bumble has a 1.3, and Hinge has a 1.1.

Cost

eharmonyHingeBumble
Free basic account: $0

Premium Light:
$38.94/ month for 6 months
$23.94/ month for 12 months
$17.94/ month for 24 months

Premium Plus:
$44.94/ month for 6 months
$26.34/ month for 12 months
$20.34/ month for 24 months

Premium Unlimited: 
$47.94/ month for 6 months
$29.94/ month for 12 months
$21.54/ month for 24 months
Free basic account: $0

1-week membership: $14.99 (Hinge+)

1-month membership: $32.99 (Hinge+)

3-month membership: $64.99 (Hinge+)

6-month membership: $99.99 (Hinge+)		Free basic account: $0

1-week membership: $29.99 (Premium)

1-month membership: $59.99 (Premium)

3-month membership: $119.99 (Premium)

Lifetime membership: $269.99 (Premium)

My pick? Hinge is the happy medium between eharmony and Bumble. If you’re older and really serious about finding love, then eharmony is for you.

Hinge alternatives

Check out my reviews of other popular dating sites and apps:

SingleParentMeetZooskDating.com
Plenty of FishAdult Friend FinderMatch.com
Coffee Meets BagelOKCupid13 international
dating apps
Catholic dating sitesChristian dating sitesTawkify
Seeking ArrangementJewish dating sitesThe League
What is Hinge?

Hinge is a dating app dedicated to helping singles find long-term relationships.

Is Hinge just a hookup app?

No — Hinge is not just a hookup app, which is why their slogan is “Designed to be deleted.” The minute you open the app, you’ll notice that it has an entirely different feel from other dating apps.

How much does Hinge cost? Hinge is free to use, but they offer a preferred membership that you can pay for that’s $32.99 for 1 month.

Is Hinge worth paying for?

Unless you’re super picky and want to utilize additional filters to weed out matches, I don’t think it’s worth paying for Hinge. You can use most of the app for free.

If you’re a single dad venturing into the world of dating again, you face unique challenges other bachelors do not — like dating around custody schedules, navigating potential partners’ appetite for men with kids, and eventually introducing your kids to a new partner.

Luckily, we put together some advice on dating for single dads, including: 

Where to find dates

Challenges of dating as a single dad

Finding time for dating

Introducing a new partner to your kids

Bottom line: How do single dads know they are ready to date again?

How do single dads start dating again? Where do you find dates?

Dating after divorce or a breakup can be equally exciting and terrifying — when you’re ready. It’s all a part of moving on after divorce, which might also include:

  • Going to therapy
  • Getting your health in check
  • Updating your style/appearance
  • Figuring out how to co-parent successfully
  • Getting your finances in order

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that straight couples are now more likely to meet a romantic partner online than through personal contacts and connections.

Online dating is a legit way to start dating as a single dad in 2023 as long as you take the time to vet potential dates and use the right dating apps and websites. 

If you’re looking for a serious and long-term relationship, our No. 1 recommendation for online dating is eharmony because: 

  • A- Better Business Bureau rating
  • 100% of members are proven to be real (no catfishing or married people)
  • Free 150-point personality report
  • Apps for iOS and Android

University of Chicago and Harvard researchers conducted a study of marriages, breakups and divorces by online dating site where the couple met and found that couples who met on eharmony had the: 

  • Highest marriage rate
  • Highest marriage satisfaction rate
  • Lowest breakup and divorce rates

Online dating sites for single dads

There are dating sites and apps geared specifically toward single parents, like SingleParentMeet, though more mainstream sites like eharmony, Hinge and Bumble have larger dating pools, which will increase your chances of finding a date, romance, love, sex — whatever you are looking for.

If you’re a single dad looking to date online, check out our reviews of popular dating sites:

eharmonyZooskPlenty of Fish
Plenty of FishAdult Friend FinderMatch.com
BumbleOKCupidInternationaldating sites
Spiritual dating sitesCatholic Dating sitesChristian dating apps
Dating.comCoffee Meets Bagel

Matchmaker sites for single dads

If you don’t want to online date, you can hire a matchmaker to set you up on dates with compatible individuals. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that matchmaking is on the rise, especially among professional people looking for long-term commitments. 

However, matchmaking isn’t cheap. You can expect to pay between $2,000 and $25,000 in matchmaker fees, according to a New York Times report. Matchmakers typically charge based on a fixed period of time, a guaranteed number of dates, or a combination of the two.

Check out our reviews of two popular matchmaking services: 

Is it hard for single dads to date?

Dating as a single dad can be hard because you may have to plan your dates around your child custody schedule, plus contend with other complications like co-parenting with an ex and potentially introducing kids to a new partner.

Here are some hard parts about dating as a single dad, according to real single dads (and one single woman) on Reddit: 

Reddit comment about hard parts of single dads dating.
Reddit comment about difficult parts of single dads dating.
Reddit comment about women not understanding challenges of single dads dating.
Reddit comment about why single dads dating is hard.
Reddit comment about struggle of dating as a single dad.

This woman who dated a single dad also spelled out some of the things she found hard about dating a single dad: 

How do single dads deal with dating?

Juggling dating as a single dad can be hard, and there are some things that will also be hard for the person you date. Check out the advice we’ve given women on dating a man with kids.

Successfully dating as a dad often means finding dates who are willing to be flexible and understand that your kids come first, at least in the beginning.

Emyli Lovz, a professional matchmaker and dating coach for men, says single dads should be transparent about having kids so they attract the right partners who are OK with dating someone who has kids. 

“Demonstrate that you’re a proud dad on your profile,” Lovz says. 

Lovz put together a video with advice for how to include kids on your profile without showing their faces: 

This dad on Reddit sought advice on dating from other single dads: 

Need Advice dating as a single dad
by inDivorce

This is what they had to say: 

Advice for single dads dating on Reddit.
Advice for single dads dating single moms on Reddit.
Advice for single dads dating other parents on Reddit.

How do you find time to date?

If you are co-parenting and share custody with your ex, try to schedule dates for the times you aren’t with your kids. Otherwise, you can hire a babysitter or nanny to take care of your kids when you go out.

“You have to manage expectations around your schedule and availability and let the woman you’re dating know that while she’s important, your kids ultimately come first,” Lovz says. 

She says it’s often easiest to date a single mom who understands your dating challenges, though scheduling dates around two different custody schedules can make your time together even more limited. 

“Connection is about quality time logged, not necessarily in-person hours, so use technology to your advantage when you can’t rendez in person,” Lovz says.

What if you feel awkward or rusty?

Lovz says she recommends ripping off the bandaid by going on a lot of dates. She advises single dads to set a goal of 20 low-stakes dates — think coffee, not dinner — in 90 days.

“Meet and compare different partners, shake off the dust, and get back in the groove of dating,” Lovz says. “After all, practice makes perfect!”

Many men also find it helpful to check in on their overall health before jumping back into dating. Low energy, low confidence, and a lower sex drive can be linked to issues like low testosterone. This can happen after long stress or as men age. If those symptoms sound familiar, it may be worth speaking with online doctors that prescribe testosterone in the U.S. to determine whether testosterone replacement therapy is appropriate. Addressing your health won’t solve every dating challenge, but feeling your best can make it easier to approach new relationships with confidence.

One single dad who was apprehensive about dating went on Reddit asking for advice on single dad dating, and he received a lot of great feedback: 

Dating as a single father… will women just lose interest a few dates in?
by inParenting
Advice for dating as a single dad if you feel awkward.
Advice for dating as a single dad on Reddit.
Advice for dating as a single dad posted on Reddit.
Advice for starting to date as a single dad on Reddit.
Pros of dating as a single dad on Reddit.
Tips for dating as a single dad on Reddit.

How do you approach sex and sleepovers?

Lovz recommends planning sleepovers for nights your kids aren’t home, at least until you’re more serious. 

She says having sex on the third date is the perfect timeline if you don’t want to rush things but also don’t want to get stuck in the friend zone, though you should follow your partner’s cues and understand what sex means for both of you. 

“Some people believe sex is only for committed relationships, while others believe it is a source of play, fun, and curiosity,” Lovz says.

This Quora user asked for advice on having sex while dating as a single parent.

Should you worry about dating a childless woman?

While women who don’t have children may not understand everything you have to deal with as a parent, that doesn’t mean you can’t successfully date a childless woman. 

Amber Lee, CEO of matchmaking service Select Date Society, says if you are dating a woman without kids, you should try to involve her in your world and be honest about challenges you’re facing.

“If you’re dealing with a difficult teenager, don’t try to hide what’s going on at home,” Lee says. “She will appreciate it if you talk things out with her and even ask her for advice or an outside perspective.”

What red flags should you look out for?

Lovz says these are some red flags single dads should look out for: 

  • Women who don’t like kids
  • Gold diggers — Lovz recommends planning more casual first and second dates to weed these women out and not buying gifts before you’re in an exclusive relationship
  • Narcissists — watch for “love bombing” (essentially falling too quickly/becoming obsessive), as well as things feeling too good to be true right off the bat
  • Multiple ex-husbands
  • Multiple deceased ex-husbands

These are some more red flags to look out for, according to Quora users: 

  • “​​They are immature, volatile and are just unpredictable.”
  • “When your family members and friends all don’t like your significant other. I can understand if your mum/dad or brother/sister thinks they aren’t good for you. But when a good number of the people you love don’t like this person. Chances are they aren’t good for you.”
  • “Low level of empathy and being inconsiderate of your feelings, emotions and mental health.”
  • “Having no respect for boundaries, always wanting to be with you ALL the time.”
  • “Your partner has cheated in past relationships, what makes you all think you are different?”
  • “They start snapping at you for little things and overreacting, as before, this problems get stronger over time.”
  • “Your personalities really don’t fit together naturally and you know it.”
  • “Your hopes of the future and ideologies collide to heavily with each others. At first you will think you can work through this, then it will become apparent just how much you differ from one another.”

When should a dating single dad introduce his kids?

Lee says there is no perfect time for a single dad to introduce his kids to a new partner, though she says it isn’t something you should rush.

“Make sure you are both on the same page with expectations on what roles the other person may play in your kids’ lives and where you see the relationship headed,” Lee says. 

Be upfront: Let kids know what is going on

While all situations are different, kids who are old enough should be kept in the loop about anyone you’re seriously dating. Check out this advice from Reddit about how and when to introduce a partner to your kids: 

How to tell kids about dating as a single dad.
When to tell kids about dating as a single dad.
dvice on Reddit about when to tell kids you're dating as a single dad.
dvice on Reddit about how to tell kids you're dating as a single dad.
Tips on Reddit about when to tell kids you're dating as a single dad.

You don’t have to introduce every woman to your kids

Lovz recommends single dads wait until they’re in a monogamous relationship to avoid kids becoming attached to partners too soon. Check out our advice on when to introduce kids to a new partner.

Advice from single dad on Reddit about when to tell kids you're dating as a single dad.

Bottom line: How do single dads know they are ready to date again?

According to Lee, these are some signs you might be ready to date again: 

  • You find yourself checking out the opposite sex and thinking about dating again
  • Your friends and family are encouraging you to start dating
  • You’ve got a good routine down and you can make time for someone in your life
  • Your kids start asking you if you are ever going to get a girlfriend, which is a good sign they are ready for you to move forward
  • You are focused on the future and excited about the next chapter of your life

When you’re ready to find a long-term and serious partner, consider signing up for eharmony, which uses an extensive compatibility questionnaire to pair you with the right people — including women who want to date single dads.

Is it hard for single dads to date?

Dating as a single dad can be hard because you may have to plan your dates around your child custody schedule, plus contend with other complications like co-parenting with an ex and potentially introducing kids to a new partner.

How do single dads deal with dating?

Successfully dating as a dad often means finding dates who are willing to be flexible and understand that your kids come first.

A jewelry appraisal is a statement that includes a detailed description of your fine jewelry as well as its retail value. A jewelry appraisal is performed by a certified appraiser after a detailed inspection.

A jewelry appraisal is useful for insurance purposes, estate planning and other legal matters, as well as to satisfy your own curiosity.

If you want an appraisal because you’re going to sell, consider Worthy, an online jewelry marketplace that offers a free GIA lab report if you send in your item.

Here’s what else you should know about jewelry appraisals:

Types of jewelry appraisals

Types of jewelry valuations

How much does a jewelry appraisal cost?

Where to get jewelry appraised

What is involved in a jewelry appraisal?

Jewelry appraisals FAQs

Types of jewelry appraisals

Depending on your reason for getting a jewelry appraisal, there are different types of appraisals you can get:

Fair market value appraisals

Per the IRS and U.S. Department of Treasury, a fair market value appraisal of a piece of jewelry is the same as for any other asset (real estate, vehicle, etc.) — it is a reasonable sum you can expect to fetch should you sell your jewelry on the open market.

A fair market value of a diamond engagement ring recently purchased is what the retail market value of that same ring would be should any member of the general public buy that same ring at retail — not on the resale, wholesale or used jewelry market.

A jewelry appraisal is typically for insurance replacement purposes, which would be akin to fair market value. If you were to replace your old Rolex watch today, should it be lost, stolen or destroyed in a house fire, what would a similarly positioned new Rolex cost at a store today?

However, if you have a used piece of jewelry, you likely cannot sell it for a retail value, but in most cases, for the secondary value of the stone and metal — about 30 to 50% of the retail value, accounting for the buyer’s own markup. 

This information is not included in a jewelry appraisal, though it is included in a lab grading report (more details below).

Estate appraisals / Financial planning

You may be preparing your own estate with your attorney, or working through the estate of a loved one, and estimating the value of various items for resale or to fairly divide up the items among loved ones. 

Jewelry, watches, coins, flatware and gold are often part of an estate. 

An appraiser will value these items based on the fair value market price.

Charitable donations appraisals

Often, old jewelry is donated to charity for auction or other fundraising purposes, and the donor is given a receipt to use to write off the donation on their federal taxes. The jewelry can be appraised at fair market price for this purpose.

GIA certificate diamond appraisal

Many people misuse the term jewelry appraisal and apply it to other, related documents.

For example, there is a big difference between a certified jewelry appraisal and a jewelry grading report, also known as a lab report or jewelry certification.

Jewelry grading is a highly scientific process, and only certified gemologists can give you an accurate report on the dimensions, quality and monetary value of your diamond, ring, jewelry or watch. They can also help you determine if what you have is a real or fake diamond.

These laboratories are recognized around the world for their accurate, unbiased grading, and rely on very advanced technology to assess and price your item.

Also, there is a big difference between a certified jewelry appraisal and a jewelry evaluation — even though these terms are often used interchangeably. An evaluation is an informal overview of your jewelry and used typically in a resale transaction.

If you’re going to sell jewelry worth more than $1,000, it is helpful to first get a certified jewelry grading report from a recognized lab like GIA or IGI.

When a company advertises a GIA-certified appraisal, it means the appraisal uses the GIA’s standards for grading a diamond’s color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. GIA itself does not certify or appraise diamonds or jewelry but does offer grading reports.

Appraisals from major jewelry store chains

Major jewelry chains like Jared, Kay, and Zales offer appraisal events throughout the year where you can come get your jewelry appraised. Search for “Jared ring appraisals,” “Kay Jewelers appraisals,” “Zales appraisal,” or whichever major jeweler is in your area to find out about upcoming events and how to register.

Jewelry appraisal app

While there are a few apps that claim to offer jewelry appraisals, none exist that offer authentic appraisals by a GIA-certified appraiser. 

Based on online reviews of the apps, most just offer pricing for similar items currently on sale that match your description.

Comparison chart

AppraisalEvaluationLab report/grading/certification
ProfessionalGIA certified appraiserLocal jeweler, pawn shop, some online diamond and fine jewelry buyersGIA, IGI or another internationally recognized gemologist laboratory
Length10-15 pages1-2 pages1-2 pages
Useful forTechnical detail of item + replacement valueUnderstanding resale or replacement valueTechnical detail of your jewelry
Unmount the diamond?No.No.Yes.
Price$26-$200, or $26 online via BriteCo.Free$50-$200+

Types of jewelry valuations

Jewelry appraisal vs jewelry grading

An appraisal can be done in less than an hour, and is typically used to determine the “replacement value” in insurance claims, or for tax or estate planning purposes. The appraised value will always be higher than the resale value.

A grading is conducted in a third-party laboratory like GIA or IGI by certified gemologists, and will give you a definitive determination of the cut, clarity, quality, origin and exact measurements of your diamond or other jewelry (GIA does not provide resale values).

If you are seeking resale information about your jewelry, a grading report is most helpful.

Keep in mind that an appraisal is often inflated above what you might pay for the same item at a jewelry store, but can be useful for insurance or tax purposes.

Jewelry appraisal vs jewelry evaluation

Often, a local jeweler, gold or diamond exchange or pawn shop near you will provide an evaluation for free.

Keep in mind that an evaluation may be lower than actual resale value, especially if the person giving it is interested in buying your jewelry.

Diamond appraisal vs retail value

A diamond appraisal will document the value of your diamond if it were purchased at retail today. You can use the information in a diamond appraisal for several purposes:

  • Determine a sales price if you choose to resell your diamond or diamond ring (but don’t expect to get the appraised value)
  • Understand how much insurance you need on your diamond jewelry
  • Prove the value of your diamond jewelry when shopping for an insurance policy
  • Purchasing a diamond

Note that diamond values fluctuate much as any other commodity such as gold or silver based on supply and demand. With this in mind, the information in a diamond appraisal can become outdated within roughly 18 months or less.

When reselling your diamond, expect to get far less than retail value. Some recent surveys found that you will get 25 to 40% of the retail value of your diamond jewelry.

For example, if you paid $5,000 for a diamond solitaire ring, it should be appraised for approximately $5,000 for replacement purposes. That same ring will sell for about $1,250 to $2,000 or less to a diamond or jewelry buyer.

How much does a jewelry appraisal cost?

The cost of a jewelry appraisal depends on several factors:

  1. The complexity and rarity of the jewelry. A solitaire engagement ring is easier to appraise than an elaborate brooch with a dozen rare stones made by a known brand like Cartier or Bulgari.
  2. The qualifications of the appraiser. A GIA-certified appraiser will charge more than a diamond or gold buyer who may give you an evaluation for free and call it an “appraisal.”

If you are getting your jewelry appraised for insurance purposes from a local jeweler or appraiser, expect to pay a flat or hourly rate, based on $50 to $150 per hour, according to the insurance company Jewelers Mutual.

For a certified laboratory report from an independent association like the Gemological Institute of America, or GIA, a one-carat diamond ring will cost an average of $200, with prices varying on the size, rarity and other factors of the jewelry.

A gold wedding band, by comparison is not likely worth the cost of an appraisal, since its value is for melt value, and the resale value likely less than $200.

Where to get diamonds and jewelry appraised

A jewelry appraisal requires a certified appraisal who will provide a detailed report of your item, along with a retail value estimate. Here are your options:

Local jewelry appraisals

A quick “near me” search will help you find plenty of nearby jewelry appraisers, or people who claim to be authorities in appraising jewelry.

To find a reputable local jeweler for a GIA-certified appraisal of your vintage, antique or estate jewelry, the trade association Jewelers of America recommends searching the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers website.

Jewelry appraisals is largely an unregulated industry, so it is on the customer to ask for:

  • Jewelry appraisal credentials: A professional jewelry appraiser should be certified by the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, or have a Graduate Gemologist diploma from the GIA.
  • Continuing education certificates: GIA offers continuing education courses for graduates to keep up to date on industry trends, topics, and research.
  • Jewelry appraisal experience: It’s OK to ask an appraiser to detail their experience. It’s also OK to get an appraisal from a new jewelry value estimator, as long as it’s backed by someone with the right credentials.
  • Adherence to legal standards: Among other laws and standards, intentionally over-valuing on appraisals is illegal under Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines and unethical.

Where to get a jewelry appraisal online: BriteCo

BriteCo is a startup jewelry insurance company that allows you to get an appraisal and insurance up to 125% of the value of your jewelry within minutes, at very affordable prices. They also offer online jewelry appraisals for $26 within a few minutes.

BriteCo has just four reviews on Trustpilot and is backed by A+-rated global reinsurance carrier A.M.

Here are some jewelry insurance policy examples from their website:

Jewelry appraisal pricing on Briteco.

Where to get jewelry appraised for free

Some local, reputable jewelers will give you an evaluation for free, but expect to pay for an objective appraisal report from a certified appraiser.

Any gold or diamond buyer will offer a free appraisal, but keep in mind that they are motivated to quote you a low valuation.

Check the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers for recommendations on professional appraisers. Yelp reviews can also be helpful.

What is involved in a jewelry appraisal? 

The essence of a jewelry appraisal is understanding the components of the precious metals and gemstones in your item, as well as any special design, brand or history that may contribute to its value.

Before you head to a local jeweler near you, or send your jewelry into an online jewelry or gold buyer, you can take these steps to understand the value of your item:

  • Learn whether your diamond is real and its characteristics like weight, clarity and cut
  • Understand if the gold is real, and its weight and karat
  • Educate yourself about the jewelry market. For estate and antique jewelry, understand that there are four ways to value the piece:
    • Replacement price: how much it would cost to buy the same item, in the event your piece is lost, stolen or destroyed
    • Estate value retail: what it would sell for in a store
    • Estate value wholesale: the price you would receive from a wholesaler or at auction
    • Intrinsic value: the market price of the gold, platinum, diamond or gemstones

However, keep in mind that the only way to get a useful jewelry appraisal is through a certified appraiser.

Understanding a diamond appraisal

Like most jewelry, your diamond engagement ring, wedding ring, or other diamond ring has both metal and gemstones in it. Typically, a jeweler or GIA gemologist will evaluate the stone, and scrap metal valuations for any gold or platinum setting.

Also, it is important to understand that typically, the large center stone is the only diamond in most engagement rings that counts towards the carat weight. Side stones are typically not worth more than a few hundred dollars, unless they are of high quality and of at least .3 carat each.

A skilled appraiser or diamond buyer can also offer a quality estimate of the replacement value of your diamond, though there are many other ways to appraise a diamond and understand its value.

Learn more about how to sell a piece of Tiffany jewelry or engagement ring you no longer want.

How to sell an engagement ring after divorce and what to do with the money

Understanding gemstone appraisals

In order to get the most money for your gemstone, you must understand what they’re worth. While there are a number of factors that will influence the value of your gemstone, the most important are the same as for diamonds: 

  • Color: What specific color or hue is your stone? The rarer and deeper the color, generally speaking, the more valuable your gemstone.
  • Clarity: The clearer your stone, the more valuable it will be.
  • Carat: The larger your gemstone, the more valuable it will be.
  • Cut: If your gemstone is processed, the specific cut and quality of cut will impact its value.
  • Treatments: Is the gemstone color natural or achieved by other means, such as heating? For the most part, non-treated stones are more valuable.

While it may be possible to reference online charts and resources to conduct some sort of assessment for yourself, in order to get an accurate picture of your gemstone’s worth you need an appraisal.

Note, however, that unless your gemstone is of significant size and quality, most gemstones are worthless in resale.

Understanding antique and estate jewelry appraisals

A professional appraiser does an in-depth inspection to determine the value of your antique, vintage and estate rings, brooches, necklace, earrings or whatever piece you take in.

Usually, this is done to get the “replacement value,” so you can make sure you bought enough insurance, or to help you with a tax or estate plan. If you’re looking to sell your item — including any silver, gold or semiprecious gemstones, like a moonstone, tiger eye, lapiz lazuli, or an onyx — a jeweler can give you an idea of their value.

An appraisal is not the same as a “grading” (sometimes called a “lab report”). Grading takes place in a laboratory, such as the International Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the International Gemological Institute (IGI).

Certified professional appraisers with extensive, scientific training in metals and gemstones will produce a 15-20 page report that details a gem’s size, clarity, color and cut, along with information about metals, market value, name brand and estimated resale price. Only a certified gemologist can give the correct value of your brooch, ring, necklace or other jewelry.

There are several ways to value antique or estate jewelry:

  1. Intrinsic value if your antique jewelry. What is the market rate for the weight of the scrap gold, silver and platinum, plus the market rate for any loose gemstones in the piece?
  2. Estate jewelry retail value. How much could this item sell for in a consignment, antique or jewelry store?
  3. Wholesale jewelry value. How much could you sell the item for to a wholesaler or retailer, who would then apply their markup when they put the estate jewelry to market?
  4. Replacement value. An appraisal for estate planning or insurance purposes seeks to set a value on antique jewelry that would help you replace the item were it lost or stolen.

Understanding the difference between jewelry appraisal and selling price

You might wonder why your sales receipt showing what you paid for your jewelry doesn’t suffice as an appraisal. Well, here’s why:

  • Jewelry appraisal establishes what the piece is worth
  • Takes into account factors like authenticity, condition, age, or rarity
  • Conducted by a certified jewelry professional
  • Worth assigned is mainly for insurance purposes and is often higher than retail or resale value because it also reflects the cost of the jewelry’s replacement1 

The selling price is different from your jewelry’s worth. It simply represents the jewelry’s fair market value to give you an idea of what you can expect to receive should you decide to sell it. 

How to sell your estate or antique jewelry for the highest price

Jewelry appraisals FAQs

What is the best way to appraise jewelry?

A local jeweler who is GIA certified is a good way to get an appraisal for insurance or estate-planning purposes — or if you just want to know more about your jewelry.

Can I get a jewelry appraisal online?

BriteCo offers online jewelry appraisals for $26, within a few minutes. Their main business is jewelry insurance.

Can I get a free online jewelry appraisal?

Any online jewelry buyer will give you a jewelry evaluation for free, though not all are done by GIA graduate appraisers.

Where is the best place to get a diamond ring appraised?

A reputable jewelry store with a GIA-certified appraiser is a great option if you want to get an appraisal done locally. Otherwise, you can send your diamond ring to a top-rated online appraiser or gemological lab. 

Bottom line: Are jewelry appraisals worth it?

Yes — jewelry appraisals are worth it, but only for high-value jewelry pieces. A typical appraisal costs about $100, so unless your piece is worth significantly more than that, spending money on an appraisal might not make sense.

If you simply want to understand what your jewelry is worth and what its qualities are, then a free evaluation by a local jeweler or trusted pawn shop may be helpful. Similarly, if you need your jewelry appraised for insurance purposes, go ahead and pay for one locally or online through a site like BriteCo.

If you have a significant piece of branded or large diamond or gemstone jewelry, then a lab report or grading from GIA or another laboratory is a good investment for purposes of insurance, legal documentation for an estate plan, divorce proceedings or to best help you assess resale opportunities.

SOURCES

  1. “Guide to Jewelry Appraisals” Jewelers of America https://www.jewelers.org/buying-jewelry/jewelry-repair-and-care/appraisals
What is a jewelry appraisal?

A jewelry appraisal is a statement of value that spells out the worth of your item. The person doing the appraisal, the appraiser, does a thorough inspection of your jewelry to determine the value.

How do you get jewelry appraised?

The main way most people get their jewelry appraised is through a local jeweler, who can give you a decent estimate of how much your item would get at retail value.

How much does a jewelry appraisal cost?

If you are getting your jewelry appraised for insurance purposes from a local jeweler or appraiser, expect to pay a flat or hourly rate, based on $75 to $150 per hour. Some appraisers charge based on a percentage of the appraised value.

How much do jewelry appraisers charge?

Many local jewelers will provide an appraisal for resale or insurance purposes, but expect to pay between $50 and $150 per hour for jewelry appraisal services.

Is it worth getting jewelry appraised?

If you have a significant piece of branded or large diamond or gemstone jewelry, then a lab report or grading from GIA or another laboratory is a good investment for purposes of insurance, legal documentation for an estate plan, divorce proceedings or to best help you assess resale opportunities.

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