Sell Jewelry
Jewelry's true value
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"- An old saying with a lot of value when it comes to jewelry. Many of us have pieces that we "outgrow", inherit, or lose interest in. The good news is that one man's junk can be another man's treasure.
It may be tempting to try and sell your valuables on your own with sites like eBay or Craigslist. Unfortunately, selling jewelry is not like selling a couch or a tv. There are security issues, as well as scammers always trying to take advantage of people selling gold or other valuables. Many online selling sites charge a final value fee or commission that eats away at your selling price. A good jeweler may be able to consign your pieces to get you maximum profit with minimum exposure, or purchase your pieces outright so you can just take your money straight to the bank with zero hassle. When selling your pieces it is important to know what you are dealing with so you can get a fair offer and not get taken advantage of. Just because someone is in the business that doesn't mean they are ethical. Every business has overhead and they depend on profit to pay those expenses. Sometimes a big dealer is the right fit because they have the right client. Sometimes a small dealer can give the best value since they have little overhead and great connections to sell your piece. Someone that wants your jewelry will pay more than someone who is just going to scrap it. An honest dealer with a good reputation will guide you to get you the most you can when selling your pieces. They want to keep you as a client for many years ahead.
When you are selling jewelry, many variables come into play: What kind of condition is it in? Can it be refurbished and resold? Is it a style people would want to buy (maybe even in a different market- Asia/ Europe/etc.)? Is there value added based on the designer or period of the piece? If you have inherited a piece or collection of jewelry it is imperative to have a professional evaluate the pieces and give you advice. A good dealer will be happy to look your pieces over and help you with the selling process. Jewelry is a very hands on business; visual inspection is often needed to give you a fair evaluation.
Keep in mind that no dealer is going to buy a piece that they themselves cannot profit on when they sell it. Business is simple- Profit is to business as breathing is to life. That being said, different dealers have different ideas as to what kind of margin is needed to survive. In my own business, when I am not the best possible option for a client to sell their pieces, I try to give them guidance on how to get the most for their valuables. Most ethical jewelers will do the same. If you are in the Phoenix, Arizona area, visit my site: www.nelsonestatejewelers.com and come see me with your questions. Feel free to use the contact form if you are out of the area and I will refer you to someone who is licensed and ethical near you.
Diamonds and Gemstones
Do you remember the 4 C's? Here is the bad news: They are not all equal. Diamonds and gemstones are graded by gemological laboratories as well as individuals. The gold standard in the jewelry business is the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). A GIA certificate will have similar sounding grades with totally different values than other laboratories (EGL, AGS, IGI, etc.).
The only way to truly value a diamond or gemstone is by a physical inspection by a qualified jeweler or gemologist. You need, above all else, to have trust in who you are dealing with when selling a diamond or gemstone. An appraisal is rarely enough to give a value when selling a fine gemstone or diamond. An appraisal is often written by the people who had an interest in selling the piece in the first place, so in its very nature is biased.
Additionally, everyone's vision is different and damage can happen. These stones have grain, just like wood, while they may be durable, they are not unbreakable. I have bought things fairly for as little as 10% of the appraised value, and sometimes more than the appraised value (for outdated appraisals). I am available for free evaluations in the Phoenix, Arizona area www.nelsonestatejewelers.com, or feel free to contact me if you would like a referral to someone near you.
Estate and Designer Jewelry
Estate Jewelry
Old mine-cut diamonds can have great value (even broken).
Period pieces (Deco/ Nouveau/ Turn of the Century) while maybe not your taste, can have huge demand in different markets.
Native American silver and turquoise squash blossoms, concho belts, rings, and other pieces have huge demand in Europe right now.
Large and unique gold and/or silver pieces are in style on the East coast of the United States.
Designer Jewelry
Many designer jewelry pieces are in high demand, but can also demand massive premiums! Designs by David Yurman, Tiffany, Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels , David Webb, John Hardy, Harry Winston, Bvlgari, Buccelati, Faberge, and others are in huge demand!
It is important to work with a dealer that knows what to do with your jewelry.
Bring it to a professional!
If you are in the Phoenix, Arizona area visit me for a free evaluation! www.nelsonestatejewelers.com. If you are out of the area, contact me for a referral to a qualified specialist.