Heirloom jewelry may carry sentimental value. Depending on your late family member’s desires, you may be responsible for safeguarding family heirlooms or selling them. Similarly, perhaps you have gold or silver jewelry, with or without gems, that you bought at a jewelry store or received as gifts when you were younger, but they’re no longer your style or of interest to you.
In this article, our expert assessors at Mimi’s Jewelry in Fountain Valley, CA, will assist you in understanding the value of estate jewelry and how to sell it to a trusted Orange County estate jewelry buyer.
What Is Estate Jewelry?
Estate jewelry refers to jewelry that is previously owned rather than new and may include contemporary, antique or vintage pieces. Antique jewelry refers to jewelry over 100 years old, while vintage jewelry includes pieces from earlier in the past century.
How To Determine the Value of Estate Jewelry
Our certified jewelers at Mimi’s Jewelry can help determine the true value of your jewels. If you want to find out how much your jewelry is worth, look for the following factors.
1. Check the Craftsmanship
Look for signs of handmade craftsmanship in your estate jewelry, as handcrafted pieces tend to sell for higher prices.
2. Evaluate the Metals and Materials
Materials for making a piece of antique or vintage jewelry play a major factor in determining its value. Jewelry might consist of precious metals such as gold or platinum and have gems like diamonds or sapphires.
A vintage piece of jewelry can be worth thousands of dollars, depending on the materials. Jewelry made of gold or platinum will have a stamp you can only read with a magnifying glass. Less expensive materials include silver and copper.
3. Examine the Shape and Cut
A gem’s shape and cut indicate the original era and may increase the piece’s value. For example, diamonds with an old mine or European cut were popular in the 18th-19th century.
4. Check the Jewelry Clasp
An item’s clasps can give you an idea of its value. The type of clasp on necklaces, bracelets, and pins can indicate the era in which it was made. A bracelet or necklace with a box or ring clasp belongs to a vintage era, whereas the lobster clasps commonly used today didn’t become popular until the 1970s.
5. Determine the Style and Period
It’s possible to determine the date and value of the jewelry based on the style of the piece. The 20th century has seen dramatic changes in styles and trends. Vintage jewelry pieces may seem delicate or have bright colors, whereas mid-20th-century styles often consist of large, extravagant pieces.
6. Look for Signs of Designer Brands
Make sure you look for a designer’s signature on your vintage jewelry piece, as this could greatly increase its value. Many vintage designers remain popular today, including Chanel, Tiffany, Hobe, Christian Dior, Cartier, etc. Jewelry from these brands may include identifiable logos or markings.
How To Divide Estate Jewelry
In an inheritance situation, establishing the jewelry’s value is key to creating fair division. A fair distribution of estate jewelry would be ideal if no provisions in the will exist. In most cases, the estate executor or administrator will have every piece of jewelry appraised and equally divide them based on the final sale value.
If you don’t have an executor, take an inventory of your jewelry before you decide how to address it in your estate plan. Make sure you locate any jewelry-related documents, such as AGS reports, GIA reports, appraisals, and receipts. Assess each jewelry item in your possession and make a list of valuables to bring to an Orange County estate jewelry buyer.
The Top 3 Reasons To Sell Estate Jewelry
Estate jewelry sellers often have many reasons for selling, such as not wearing or using their jewelry or desiring to cash in on the value of the pieces. At Mimi’s Jewelry, our experts can help you sell your diamonds and estate jewelry. Listed below are the top reasons to sell your estate jewelry.
1. Inherited Jewelry
Many heirs wish to part with or sell jewelry they inherited from a late family member. Due to high resale costs, you can obtain good prices on high-quality diamonds, fine gemstones, and gold or platinum jewelry. Bring your estate jewelry to us at Mimi’s Jewelry in Fountain Valley, CA, for a free appraisal.
2. Not Your Style
Selling estate jewelry can be a good option for those with no sentimental attachment. Jewelry that you wore that was popular 40 years ago might not be popular today. At Mimi’s Jewelry, we accept all jewelry styles, including Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Retro.
3. Financial Trouble
Financial trouble is another common reason for selling estate jewelry. You might find it necessary to sell your vintage or antique jewelry for extra cash if you need money urgently. Sell your gold or diamond jewelry to us for top dollar if you’re short on rent or need to pay off a debt.
Where To Get Your Jewelry Appraised
Be sure to choose an appraiser who is a trained gemologist if your jewelry has precious or semi-precious gemstones. An expert in gem grading can inspect and value your jewelry stones. A gemologist can also inspect the condition and quality of your antique jewelry.
Many factors affect the value of jewelry, such as rarity, provenance, and the designer. At Mimi’s Jewelry, our jewelry buyers have the required expertise to recognize and appraise the finest estate pieces. We can appraise engagement rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, broaches, cameos, and more.
Sell Your Estate Jewelry To a Reliable Orange Country Jewelry Buyer Today
Mimi’s Jewelry is the leading Orange County estate jewelry buyer. We strive to make selling your fine jewelry an enjoyable and rewarding experience for you. You can count on us to help you make an informed decision and receive the most competitive prices in today’s market.
Contact Mimi’s Jewelry at (714) 964-7851 today to sell your estate jewelry.
