QuestionI inherited 20 stone cluster rings from my mother. I don't want to keep or
wear these rings, I don't want to sell on ebay, I don't want to put them on
consignment at a jewelry store, but I hesitate to go the nearest "We Buy
Jewelry" store.
I worked for a jeweler 20+ years ago, so I remember little about jewelry
identification. I've looked at the rings with a magnifying glass. This is what I
found:
14 K stamp, 5-12 clear stones each = 6 rings
10 K stamp, 5-10 clear stones each = 2
925 stamp [Sterling Sliver] with clear stones, large pink stone in center = 4
14K GE [gold electroplate?] EDCO THAILAND stamp, various stones = 4
No marks; could be from resizing; green, red, pink, clear stones = 4
My father bought these rings for my mother over a 50-year period and was
far from wealthy, so I have doubts that the clear stones are diamonds.
I have 2 questions: (1) should I spend money on a jewelry appraiser or
gemologist with such a questionable collection? If not, (2) how could I get
some kind of money for these items without getting ripped off?
Thanks!
Melanie
AnswerG'day Melanie and many thanks for your query
Firstly I would suggest a visit to your local FRIENDLY jeweler or even an Antique Dealer if they specialize in jewelry.
By 'hinting' that you are interested in POSSIBLY selling, they will take a look at your items and give you some information.
If you say "Are these diamonds?" they should (for NO FEE) be able to test them instantly with a diamond probe to confirm if they are real or not. So far you are now one up because they have tested - and confirmed or not - the nature of the clear gems.
You may get a lot more info from these people too. Just talk but don't confirm - and you'll get free information.
I wouldn't go down the full appraisal path just yet - not until you have more facts. Try the above trick at a couple of dealers/jewelers until you are happy about each ring.
THEN - if you have some rings better than others - by all means get an appraisal. But remember an appraisal is a price built around an INSURANCE REPLACEMENT and NOT what the item is worth on the open second-hand market. That figure could be as low as 10 percent of an appraisal or as high as 60 percent.
Remember there is NO SUCH THING AS A FIXED PRICE. It is always about what a willing seller (you) can get from a willing buyer.
While you don't want to sell on eBay - it will give you a sense of price, so compare values to similar items there or at the Antique Jewelry Fair website at: http://www.antique-jewelry-fair.com
You can also Browse past appraisals online for similar items at: http://www.online-jewelry-appraisals.com
It will take some time but it's better than nothing.
Your 14Karat rings may be the best QUALITY but you might be surprised at some of the other items. I have very often seen something which a client thinks is worthless - being the most valuable.
You have to start somewhere - and your local FRIENDLY jewelers and Dealers are the only game in town - so use them. Even for a small fee it will tell you what you need to know - but if they want to charge - Find Another Friendly Jeweler...
Finally - don't sell to any of them the same day. Shop around and get information. Take a small pocket notebook with you and write everything down.
Then - once you have got all your online and offline info together - return to the buyers with the best deal.
Oh... By the way... NEVER sell from a Newspaper add. You don't want people coming into your home knowing you have jewelry there.
You might like to add this query to my blog at http://how2valuejewelry.com as it may help someone else with a similar problem. Can't hurt anyway...
Hope this helps
