A free appraisal is worth every penny you spent for it.
So no.
A picture will not tell the 'appraiser' if the cameo is shell or plastic. A picture will not tell the 'appraiser' if the mounting is plate or 10K or 18k or just goldtone. A picture will not show if the cameo is snug or loose in the mounting.
Is there a jeweller with a diploma in Gemology in your area? He can give you a real appraisal, on paper, that would if necessary stand up in court. He will also charge you for his time and expertise.
http://www.americangemsociety.org/independentcertified
Ask for an appraisal for estate purposes. There are several values, all correct, for appraised items.
Estate appraisal will tell the jeweler that you do not want a cash offer to buy.
An insurance appraisal gives you the replacement value, which can be several times higher than the value at auction.
Estate value is pretty much the same thing as auction value.
(The lowest is the cash offer, but that doesn't make the offer any less valid. The jeweller will be adding his overhead to the price before he sells it.)
