Systems and methods for computer appraisal of jewelry and other valuable items, such as antiques, for use in assessing sales, underwriting assessments, and claims adjustments. A user provides a description of an item (102) to be valued; elements of the provided description (102) are used in conjunction with previously-collected data (126) to classify (125) and assess the value of the item. The user may select an analysis/appraisal type and method. Gaps in required information are optionally filled using already-known data (110) by table look-upo methods or by interpolation from known ranges, and the selected analysis method is used to compete valuation and description of the item (130). Assessment options include for example valuations, appraisals, technical or aesthetic descriptions, title chains, and underwriting and insurance schedules. Optionally data supplied by the user is retained for use in future evaluations.