QuestionQUESTION: I have an Amethyst ring. Total carat weight is 13 carats. The center stone is 10 carats and it has two trillions on either side weighing 1.5 carata each. It is either 10kt or 14 kt gold. Very deep purple color. Very nice, but not my taste. It was a gift. I thought of selling it at auction and had no idea really of what it would be worth. It has never been worn, so there is no visible wear on it...Thank you!
ANSWER: Hi Kathleen,
There are a few considerations and some challenges that you will face. I am guessing since you don't know the karat of the gold that the ring is not stamped?
A major retailer has a 10carat amethyst ring with small diamonds in 10kt gold for $299.00.
The challenges you face are that you have no way of knowing that the ring is a natural amethyst and without the gold stamp, you can't speak to the gold quality. In auction you run two risks, selling something other than as described if you can't verify the stone and gold, and auction values are typically much less than retail.
Currently on ebay there is a ring exactly as you describe with 6 bids at $199.00. There is also a similar item with a buy it now of $139.99.
What the ring is "worth" is dependent upon the situation. An insurance replacement value would be in line or slightly higher than a retail price, and an auction value is whatever the bidders interested feel they want to pay.
Best of luck,
Lisa
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QUESTION: Lisa
It is either 10k or 14k. I just don't have it in front of me. I know they are natural stones. There are no diamonds. Does this help in getting a closer estimate? I don't want to base it on what is on ebay....K
AnswerHi Kathleen,
With a major retailer offering something similar at $299.00 in 10kt, even if you have 14kt, the value won't be much higher. The shopping networks have a selection of amethyst rings in this size and the price is between $150 and $350.00. The big jewelry channel has a few styles in this size with or without diamonds starting at $99.00.
The second challenge you have is that even though your ring looks new, it will still be viewed as used if it is sold outside of a retail location.
I am afraid its re-sale value will be between $99.00 and $350.00 depending upon the quality and what someone wants to pay for it.
Insurance appraisal values are a little different, and they are created to guarantee replacement for the insured. But an insurance replacement value is not a re-sale value, that is an entirely different market.
Without actually being able to see it and evaluate it, I can't really be more specific on its value.
If you are wanting to get a re-sale price that you are more comfortable with, I would suggest taking a look at some online retailers and comparing what you have to similar amethyst rings.
Hope that helps some,
Lisa
