According to Bonhams, there is an estimated £60 million worth of antique jewelry in the homes of British citizens. Most of it has been handed down from many generations, found at sea, or even bought at a store and you never knew what it was worth.
The good news is that there are appraisers whose only purpose it is to determine the market value of your collection. Whether you’re seeking for money or you’re ready to get rid of your belongings, there are a variety of methods to discover the correct location to go and to find out how much your valuables are worth.
The amount of average individuals who appear on programmes like Antiques Roadshow, a prominent TV show focused on evaluating vintage and antique antiques, has convinced me of this statement. People have been trying to invest in valuable gemstones like diamonds and gold or collectibles during the previous two decades, making it clear.
Brooches purchased for £1.50 years ago and now worth over £15,000 were among the things discussed on the episode. When you think about how much some of the objects on your dressing table may be worth, it’s thrilling. There are several ways to appraise your possessions, so let’s get started.
There’s no better time than right now to find out how much those gems in your jewelry box are worth. Using the advice in this article, you should be able to quickly ascertain the market worth of your possessions.
Inquire about it as much as you can.
This is the first and most important phase, which is carried out by meticulously examining the object. Look for these things:
- Do you know what type of jewels are in it? In the previous days, the bulk of labour was done by hand with instruments that created significantly lumpier and uneven cuts for stones like diamonds. These used to be called “old mine cut“.
In the gemstone market, coloured stones are gaining in popularity. The stones in your work might be rubies, emeralds or sapphires if they are coloured. If they seem ‘untreated,’ you could be on to something. In contrast, if it is fashioned of silver, amethyst or rhinestones, they are less uncommon stones that may not be valued as much as the more valuable gems like diamonds.
- Look for identifying marks, such as a signature, a stamp, or an initial and a date. It’s common for the creator to incorporate this symbol if the item is old. You’ll need a magnifying lens if you can’t see it well with your unaided eyes. Using an example, a marking that resembles an Eagle or a dog’s head is suggestive of a French company. France has produced some of the world’s finest jewelry .
When it comes to pearls, for example, an x-ray is the only method to detect the difference between man-made and natural. The form and general shine or light of the object might be used to identify it.
- The quality of the job should be able to tell you anything about it. The way people worked in the past, particularly when it came to antique jewelry , was radically different than it is now. For example, most of these goods were manufactured by hand according to the preferences of individual designers, and the choice of designs was also diverse. Many of the priceless objects had a unique appearance. It’s a positive thing if your stuff seems out of the ordinary and unique.
Carved on all four sides, not just the face side, the greatest items are the most detailed and well-preserved.
- Is there any kind of clasp? That’s a good question. It’s surprising that clasps may be the difference between a quality piece of jewelry and a piece of cheap fake jewelry . In the 1960s and 1970s, ‘box or rings’ clasps were often seen on bracelets, pins, earrings, and necklaces. A more recent variation is known as a “lobster, trombone clasp, and C-clasp.” In addition to being a valuable piece of history, these fasteners reveal a lot about the time period they were produced in.
Restoring the Foundations
Search the Internet now that you’ve completed your checks to the best of your ability and are happy with your results. Make a list of all the versions you’ve collected and cross them off as you go. There are a variety of internet resources you may consult to learn more about identifying what you have in your hand or to find out who to contact.
When looking for specifics, such as where you bought it from (a jewelry store/auction house/flea market), look for similar merchants, what it’s selling for on online stores that are selling similar items, contact some vintage stores or manufacturers directly and ask them to take a look at it for you.
In order to receive your money’s value, don’t try to sell it on eBay or Craigslist or any other well-known marketplace. However, speaking with a professional will.
If they think the artwork is worth anything, they’ll probably want to view it for themselves before deciding whether or not to give you an estimate. The cost of such a service is usually little, but it’s well worth it since they can assist you with selling it in the safest and finest manner possible.
