If you've inherited estate jewelry or otherwise come into the possession of vintage jewelry, you might be wondering how to go about selling it. There are a number of different avenues you can choose when it comes to selling jewelry, and it can be hard to know where to begin.
While it's not likely that you have anything as valuable as the Hope Diamond, you might find that there's quite a bit of value locked away in your jewelry box.
What are the steps you need to take when selling estate jewelry? Where can you sell it? Why would you even want to sell it in the first place?
We answer all of these questions and more below, so stick with us.
Why Should You Sell Your Estate Jewelry?
There are countless reasons why it might be time for you to sell your estate jewelry. Let's take a look at some of the most common reasons.
You Don't Wear Them Anymore
Maybe you have a lot of vintage or antique jewelry that simply isn't your style anymore. Or, maybe you inherited jewelry that you once loved but no longer make it into your circulation of wearable pieces. If this is the case, why not sell your piece so someone else can enjoy it and use the money to buy yourself something you will wear?
They Don't Have Sentimental Value to You
When you think of inherited estate jewelry, you often think of incredibly sentimental objects such as your grandmother's wedding ring. However, it's also possible to inherit pieces that belong to people you didn't know and have little meaning to you. When this is the case, you aren't held back by sentimental feelings when it comes to extracting the value from your estate jewelry.
You Don't Have Any Use for Them
It isn't uncommon for people to inherit pieces that they just don't have any use for. For example, maybe you inherited men's jewelry as a woman.
They Are Out of Style
Some estate jewelry is timeless, but other pieces don't quite stand up to the passing of years. You might find that the pieces you have are simply out of style and it's time to update your collection.
They Bring Up Bad Memories
Sometimes, antiques and estate jewelry can have negative associations for you. Not only do these pieces not bring back warm nostalgic feelings, but they actually remind you of a darker time that you'd rather not revisit.
If this is the case, it's definitely a good idea to sell your jewelry. There is no reason to hold onto something that is associated with negative feelings and emotions. Getting rid of items like this can actually feel very cleansing and can contribute to the processes of healing and grieving.
To Make Some Money
Perhaps you also are thinking about selling your estate jewelry because you'd like to tap into the value that is hidden inside them. Maybe you are looking to save up for a down payment on a house, pay off your debt, go on vacation, or you just want to buy new jewelry. No matter your reasoning, selling your estate jewelry is a great way to get some cash in hand quickly.
Are you wondering why you might want to sell your gold jewelry for cash? If so, check out this article.
How to Sell Your Estate Jewelry
Doing some research and preparing your jewelry for sale can help you get the most value for your pieces. Let's take a look at what you'll need to do to prepare to sell your estate jewelry for the highest possible dollar figure.
Clean and Polish Your Pieces
If you're hoping to get the best price for your estate jewelry, you'll want to clean and polish your pieces before you try to sell them. This helps to show that they have been well maintained and also emphasizes their beauty. You can either have them professionally cleaned by a jeweler or do it yourself by following an online guide.
Repair Flaws
You might not be interested in putting money into your estate jewelry before you sell it. However, much like when you sell a house, sometimes the return on investment is worth it to make repairs. If you're trying to get the highest value possible, have a jeweler take a look and let you know what repairs could potentially raise the value.
Are you curious about how you can sell your diamond? Check out this guide to learn more.
Include the Original Packaging If You Still Have It
If you still have the original box for the jewelry, you'll want to reunite the piece with its box before getting it appraised. You can, of course, sell estate jewelry without the box. However, it can increase the value for the original box to be included, as vintage boxes can become collector's items themselves.
Get a Gem Grading Report
The most trusted source for jewel grading reports is the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). If you are serious about getting the highest possible price for your estate jewelry, getting a gem grading report is a good idea.
These reports help you eliminate having to guess about the details of your precious gems. The clarity, type, cut, color, and other features will be documented, allowing you to come up with a clearer sense of your piece's value.
When you have these reports, it can help give the buyer or dealer confidence that they know what they are purchasing. If you are dealing with jewelry pieces that have high-quality gems, you can likely fetch a higher price when you have this type of documentation.
Find Other Relevant Paperwork
Do you have any other documents or paperwork that is related to your estate jewelry? Before you sell them, gather all of this information. This can be very useful to a buyer in understanding the value of your pieces.
This type of paperwork might include certificates of authenticity, original receipts, or insurance descriptions.
Take High-Quality Photographs
If you are planning on selling your estate jewelry from home, you're definitely going to want to take some quality photographs of each piece. This way, you can show prospective buyers, appraisers, or dealers exactly what it is you have. This is also an important step in documenting the quality of the pieces if you are shipping them off to be appraised by a professional.
Consider the Melt Value
When you are trying to get the highest possible price for a piece of estate jewelry, you will want to take the melt value into consideration. If the jewelry has sentimental value to you, this might be difficult to conceive of at first. However, it's worth understanding the melt value at least to get a sense of where the primary value lies.
If you have gold jewelry that doesn't have any hallmarks or stones, melting might be one of the best options. If there are precious stones, diamonds, or the piece comes from a designer brand, you might receive more value selling the piece as it is.
Research Reputable Estate Jewelry Buyers
You'll find that there is a lot of variation between different jewelers and dealers. It is likely a good idea to research a variety of places where you can sell your estate jewelry and then pick the business you find to be the most reputable and trustworthy.
The internet can be a great help with its plethora of customer testimonials and ratings. You can use these to learn from other people's experiences with dealers and buyers.
You can also look for signs of accreditation on the websites of different buyers and dealers. This can help you ensure that you are working with a reputable company.
Check out these five tips for finding the right jewelry buyer for you.
Get Multiple Appraisals
Many people make the mistake of simply selling their estate jewelry to the first interested party. However, it's worth getting multiple different appraisals to ensure that you really get the highest price for your jewelry. It's recommended that you have two or three different dealers appraise your estate jewelry before selecting one as the buyer.
Where to Sell Your Estate Jewelry
There are a number of different options when it comes to selling your estate jewelry. You can choose to sell it locally, at an auction, or sell your jewelry online, to name a few.
Sell Your Jewelry Locally
One option is to look up "who buys estate jewelry near me" and find a local jeweler. This can be a reasonable choice if you already have a relationship with a jewelry store that you trust. You could also choose to sell your jewelry to a pawn shop, however, this is not going to be the way you get the most value for your pieces.
Sell Your Jewelry at Auction
If you have a very valuable piece, you could also sell your jewelry at an auction house like Christie's or Sotheby's. This is also a reasonable choice if the jewelry has a documented provenance of owner history that makes your jewelry very appealing to prospective buyers. This process, however, is really only worth the time and effort if you are dealing with very high-end items.
Sell Your Jewelry Online
You can also sell your estate jewelry online. There are a number of online dealers to choose from, but you'll want to make sure you do your research and find a dealer that is reputable and trustworthy.
Sell Your Estate Jewelry to American Gold and Diamond Buyers
As you can see, selling your estate jewelry can take quite a bit of time and effort. However, at American Gold and Diamond Buyers, we make it easy to learn how much your valuables are worth.
We have locations in New Jersey and New York. We don't just buy estate jewelry, but also coins, watches, and other silver and gold items. We are happy to provide phone and email quotes but we also have physical stores where you can bring your items and talk to someone in person.
When you bring in your item, we will determine the value on the same day. We will then have a certified appraiser test your item for its precious metal content and record the results. We will also use a certified scale to weigh your item and record its weight.
The next step is that we will determine the total cash value of your item based on the current market gold value. If you choose to accept the offer that we make, we will issue payment immediately.
If you are looking to get the most money for your estate jewelry without having to put tons of time and energy into tracking down a dealer, you've come to the right place. At American Gold and Diamond Buyers, we make it easy for you to sell your jewelry for the best price.
Are You Looking to Sell Your Estate Jewelry?
If you have estate jewelry that you don't want, then we're interested in buying it at the best value! At American Gold & Diamond Buyers, we take the time to assess the weight, purity, and value of your jewelry by hand. This means that we can guarantee that we can offer you more money than our competitors.
Whether you have gold, silver, or platinum jewelry, we are interested in giving you the best price. If it's time for you to sell your estate jewelry, you can get your customized offer here.
