Separate the pieces before the prices.
An estate tray can contain an intact ring, a broken chain, a plated finding and a piece whose maker deserves a closer look. Giving the tray one weight and one buying percentage hides those differences. Start by identifying the pieces you can evaluate independently.
A useful item name describes the object rather than claiming an answer: “yellow-metal ring with oval stone” can be more accurate than “natural sapphire ring” before the stone is identified. Record what you observed, what you measured and what still needs a test.
- Keep removable stones, loose findings and matching parts associated with the piece.
- Separate a measured weight from an estimated deduction.
- Record a hallmark as an observation; keep the test or source behind a purity decision.
- Keep an uncertain material or stone identity unknown until there is evidence for it.
Build an inspection you can revisit.
Troctolite’s inspection record separates metal components, stone groups and test or certificate references. A group’s total carats describe the whole group; quantity does not multiply that weight again. The record reconciles known component weights against the observed gross weight and leaves missing weights incomplete.
A clear record can be short. “Four round colorless stones, identity unknown, total weight not measured” is more useful than a confident grade with no basis. Put the test method, result, date and reference beside the relevant component or the whole item.
Inspection measurements do not automatically replace the desk’s primary weight, choose a metal quote or price the stones. Review the calculation basis explicitly when preparing a new estimate.
Photograph the reason, not just the front.
A front view helps identify a ring. A close view of a hallmark, a damaged shank or a scale reading can explain the decision. Use a caption that makes the view useful to the next person: which side, which mark and which detail mattered.
The app accepts up to six private JPEG/PNG photographs for a saved inspection. It retains the original file and its hash, with a separate preview. Enter the capture time you are reporting; the server’s recording time is a different fact. A photograph of a certificate does not verify its contents.
New estimates keep the photo references present at that save. A later photograph is not silently added to an earlier estimate. Certificate PDFs and governed correction or retention tools remain separate work on the product roadmap.
Keep melt, resale and replacement apart.
The gold calculation answers a specific question: what fine-metal content is attributed to this measured alloy weight at this quote and these recovery assumptions? It does not answer what a customer will pay for the finished ring.
Reselling intact introduces different questions. What repair is needed? Are the stones identified? Is the setting complete? Is there a documented brand or maker premium? What selling and return costs apply? Keep those assumptions visible rather than folding all of them into an unexplained metal deduction.
Troctolite’s current modeled resale lane is a formula-based reference. It is not a market comparable or a replacement appraisal. Dedicated component valuation and complete appraisals remain planned.
Keep the follow-up connected.
When the same customer returns with the same piece, a revision can continue the estimate without replacing its earlier basis. Each version retains its own inputs, quote, inspection and photo references. An independent decision can instead start a separate estimate.
The new buying flow reviews the current source facts before saving. If a colleague changes the deduction or inspection, or adds a photograph, the draft is preserved for review. If another revision was saved first, the app asks you to review that head rather than silently branching.
Older records stay explicit legacy starting points. Creating a revision does not invent an earlier history. This is a neutral estimate workflow; it does not execute a purchase or make the stock owned and available.
An estate tray to bring to the walkthrough.
Bring one straightforward chain, one stone-set ring and one piece you are unsure about. Use them to test the record, not just the headline amount. Reopen the first saved estimate after changing the quote and inspecting the item again.
- Can another authorized employee understand each deduction and unknown?
- Does the original still show the quote and evidence that existed when it was saved?
- Can you follow an explicit revision without overwriting the first decision?
- Are current custody, payment and stock readiness clear before any operational handoff?
Repairs, consignment, layaway and a finished appraisal need their own workflows. Include those requirements in your evaluation. They should not be assumed from the presence of an item record or a price calculation.