About Us

Philadelphia Jewelry Appraisers (PJA) is an award-winning company (Best of Philly) owned and operated by Joshua Hyman, a GIA Graduate Gemologist (1992) and a fourth-generation Philadelphia jeweler with deep family roots in the trade.

Joshua’s great-grandfather, Ruben Littman, was a “curb merchant” during the Great Depression, buying and selling precious metals door to door in South Philadelphia. His grandparents, Marshall & Pearl Littman, ran a jewelry manufacturing business from 1950 to 1986, eventually passing it on to his parents, Francine & Martin Hyman.

With a family history steeped in the jewelry industry – including his brother, uncle, cousin, and great aunt – Joshua has proudly carried on the tradition, completing over 12,000 jewelry appraisals in more than 30 years. His passion for valuing treasured pieces has made him a trusted expert worldwide. The legacy continues with the next generation, as Joshua’s son, Ruben Hyman, joins PJA to uphold the family’s reputation for expertise and integrity in fine jewelry appraisals.

Far from being a transient or fly-by-night operation, Josh grew up just 20 minutes from the Radnor location and went to high school in the area. He has even spoken at Princeton University twice, a testament to his depth of knowledge and recognition in the field.

PJA operates as a professional jewelry appraisal office and laboratory, with locations in Jeweler’s Row, Center City Philadelphia, and Radnor, PA, equipped with both standard and advanced testing equipment to ensure precise evaluations.