Parting ways with your fine jewelry can be time consuming and painful, especially if it has sentimental value. But, with the proper procedures, your efforts can yield high dividends.
When you embark on the journey of determining jewelry resale value, a lot of factors can come into play that you may not have considered.
The value of fine jewelry can come from a variety of variables, such as raw material, design, brand, age, style, and significance. There’s a lot to consider when you try to put a price tag on a sentimentally priceless item, but there are a few methods that can help guide you in the right direction.
With Joshua Kodner, you can take worry out of the equation. As a certified appraiser, a licensed auctioneer, and a fourth-generation gemologist, Joshua Kodner can help you understand the true worth of your possessions and allow you to take educated steps in selling your fine jewelry.
Understand Your Valuables
The first thing to do when determining jewelry resale value is taking the time to understand your valuables, from its historical significance to its raw material.
Age
How old is your jewelry? Older pieces, like vintage or antique jewelry, are often more valuable because of their rarity and high-quality raw materials.
Period pieces
Certain eras of design are often more popular than others, like Art Deco or Mid-Century Modern. Collectors usually keep an eye out for pieces from a particular era of historical significance, and these pieces typically sell well. Trends drive purchases, and timing your listing in accordance to a period’s popularity achieves the highest value for your jewelry.
Brand recognition
Higher prices are often attributed to easily identifiable brands, such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co. and Cartier. Their prestige is built into the branding, which makes it easier to market and sell since there’s already added trust associated with the brand.
Condition of your jewelry
Determine the condition of your piece. If your fine jewelry has seen better days and will be costly to fix, consider selling your piece for its intrinsic value from its raw material.
This value is based on the current market rate of what your jewelry is made from, whether it be gold, silver, or otherwise, and can sometimes be a more worthy endeavor than spending money to fix your jewels before selling.
Stamps and signage
There are often stamps, or markings printed on the side of your pieces that indicate the metal content and manufacturer. This is one of the best clues to determine your jewelry’s true value. For example, you’ll see 925 for sterling silver, 316L for stainless steel, 10-18K for gold, and 850 or PLAT for platinum.
Taking time to understand your jewelry is important to get an idea of what it’s worth. But, in order to have true trust in the valuation of your piece, you’ll need to hire a qualified appraiser who knows how to appraise fine jewelry professionally.
Appraising Fine Jewelry
What’s the difference between an appraisal and an evaluation? An appraisal is a formal document that clearly states the value of your jewelry after detailed inspections and tests have been run while an evaluation is an opinion of value which is verbally given.
When it comes to determining jewelry resale value, it’s important to go through a fine jewelry appraisal process in order to ensure that you receive the best valuation for your piece in relation to current market trends. This is a crucial step that provides a clear foundation to set a justified price while maximizing profits by timing the market.
If you’re wondering how to appraise fine jewelry, it’s essential to find a qualified and accredited appraiser that has a proven track record in evaluating jewels that are similar to yours. A professional appraiser will have specialized knowledge in pricing your jewels to its highest advantage while considering all the associated factors related to your item.
You can help your appraiser by bringing all the documentation you have about your item, like receipts, gem certificates, or any previous appraisals.
If this is the first time your piece is entering the fine jewelry appraisal process, consider getting a second opinion to guarantee an accurate value.
Best Practices to Sell Antique Jewelry
After you’ve appraised your jewelry, now comes the final step: selling your jewelry for the most profitable price.
Selling antique jewelry tips include having knowledge on how much similar pieces have sold for, understanding market trends, and presentation.
Research similar pieces
The best gauge for how much your fine jewelry will sell for is comparing it to a similar item in regards to design, age, raw material, and condition. If your piece has a brand, it’ll be easier to research and value than if you have a bespoke piece.
Understanding market trends
In order to position your jewelry effectively, it’s important to stay on top of market trends. What’s in style right now? Staying updated on fashion trends can raise the value of your piece significantly if timed correctly.
Presentation
Presenting your piece beautifully is vital in securing a sale. Professional cleaning and repairs increase the value of your piece significantly and if you’re selling online, don’t skimp on professional photography! High-quality images are able to bring the essence of your piece to life, even through a screen.
Discover True Value With Joshua Kodner
At Joshua Kodner, we make it easy to appraise, market, and sell your fine jewelry with no hassle to you. We are a full-service gallery that offers the highest possible return through auction. Call Joshua Kodner today and ask how we can help you sell your jewelry for its highest value.
