Selling Rubies in NYC: Appraisal & Best Options

Question
Peter,

My grandmother past on a couple of ruby's to me..
I want to know where in NYc I can sell them

Answer
HI KEVIN,

DEPENDS ON HOW LONG YOU CAN WAIT TO GET THE MONEY. FIRST OF ALL YOU NEED TO GET AN IDEA OF WHAT THEIR VALUE IS. HAVE THEM APPRAISED FOR FAIR MARKET VALUE AND THIS WILL GIVE A STARTING POINT. MANY RETAILERS WILL SELL ON CONSIGNMENT AND MANY AUCTION HOUSES TAKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO SELL. SINCE THIS IS THE CHRISTMAS SEASON NOW IS THE BEST SELLING TIME. I THINK YOU'LL FIND THAT THE MARKET IS SLOW AND PRICES ARE DOWN. THIS IS A BAD TIME TO SELL ANYTHING BUT A GOOD TIME TO BUY. THE STONES MIGHT BE LARGE AND VERY VALUABLE OR MAY TURN OUT TO BE SYNTHETICS. THE BEST PLACE TO TAKE THEM IN NYC IS THE GIA GEM LAB FOR AN I.D., THIS IS NOT AN APPRAISAL BUT WOULD GAURANTEE ANYONE BUYING THEM OF THEIR QUALITY AND IDENTIFICATION. THE CERTIFICATE FROM GIA WILL ENHANCE THE SELLING VALUE OF THE STONES. THEN SHOP AROUND FOR A VENUE TO SELL THEM. THERE ARE PLENTY OF 'DISCOUNT' BUYERS WHO WILL OFFER YOU NEXT TO NOTHING SO KEEP COMPARING UNTIL YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THE PEOPLE BUYING AND GET AN IRON CLAD CONTRACT. GOOD LUCK.

PETER